Presidency Speaks On Nigerian-flagged Yacht Spotted in France

Presidency speaks on Nigerian-flagged yacht spotted in France

By Aremu Adebayo

The Presidency has reacted to reports on social media that a luxury yacht spotted with the Nigerian flag in St. Tropez, a coastal town in France, belongs to President Bola Tinubu.

However, despite the reaction by the Presidency, there has been a back and forth on social media over the ownership yacht.

The News Matrics reports that the 42m Benneti luxury yacht RANIA was built in 2019 by Italian shipbuilder Bennetti and can accommodate 12 passengers in six cabins. It was registered in Cayman Islands and is listed for charter at the rate of €180,000 (N321 million) per week according to yacht brokers, Fraser Yachts.

Reports had suggested that the yacht is owned by the Nigerian government or that the president was on board when the video was recorded.

Reacting to the report, backed by a video, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communication and New Media, O’tega Ogra, said the yacht is owned by a private individual.

Ogra said on his X handle: “There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht was spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht.

“Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth.

“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around five years since it was constructed.

“It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, President or armed forces.

“Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply not true and inaccurate.

“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.

“The official Nigerian flag is green-white-green without a coat of arms in the middle.

“Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the center.

“Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation.”

However, despite the explanation by Ogra, the debate over the issue did not abate on social media.

Solz, @sicsolz, said: “You didn’t defend the government well. First of all, the vessel, MY RAINA, doesn’t carry a Nigerian flag. Its flag is Cayman Island. Secondly, it was manufactured in 2019, which doesn’t mean it has been owned since then. The said yacht is currently available for charter.”

To Solz, Ogra responded: “Okay. Note however, that I am pretty clear and certain of the details on the yacht in question.”

AWP Network, @AfricWomenPower: “What you’ll say is that you weren’t invited and that you don’t know. Not that the yacht doesn’t belong to the government. A former Nigerian government official and spouse had their birthday party there…..”

To this, Ogra said: “You can choose what you wish to believe or know. Your choice. I’ll keep putting out the facts as they are.”

Eccakyky, @eccakyky: “I understood that the Nigerian Navy said the yacht is a training vessel. Is this false?? Is it a luxury vessel @otegaogra?!”

Love 2024, @megafebian: “Lie kee you dia! How can a company produce and deliver a Yacht without payment ? Are they mother Theresa ? How can we keep on deceiving people like this ? That Yacht was ordered and paid for by the APC led govt of Tinubu ! He enjoys luxury.”

Lord Tala Targaryen, @Lord__Tala: “Hmmm… A surprising story to see after observing my PMCH earlier today… Well done Otega for speaking on this matter early enough… let me investigate it fully! I will head for St Tropez to see my friend Monica Modi, and we will get the purest facts from there! Evil must end!.”

AsiwajuOladimeji, @ojojo26: “Regarding the naval observatory and training ship often referred to as the “presidential yacht,” it was ordered and acquired by Nigeria during President M. Buhari’s tenure (2015-2023). It was delivered in June 2023 but was never paid for. This information is false.”

Adebayo Odofin, @adebayoodofin: “As detailed and explanatory, this piece is. Those who will believe will, while those who want to run with their agenda and propaganda will.”

Last year the House of Representatives scrapped the N5 billion appropriated in the 2023 supplementary budget for a presidential yacht.

The Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi, said the lawmakers considered public interest in scrapping the provision for the yacht and transferring the sum to the N5.5 billion student loan.