JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
The Presidency has dismissed reports that a yacht found flying the Nigerian flag in France belongs to President Bola Tinubu.
The clarification follows claims on social media that a presidential yacht spotted off the French coastal town of St-Tropez belonged to the Nigerian leader.
They added that the luxury yacht was being used for a holiday in the city.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Otega Ogra, who made the clarification via his X account on Saturday, said the yacht did not belong to Tinubu or the Nigerian Navy but to an individual.
He wrote: “There is a false claim circulating that a yacht belonging to an individual seen in St. Tropez is a yacht owned by the Nigerian government. Here are some things to consider to determine the truth.
“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around 5 years since it was built.
“It is important to note that this yacht has no ownership ties or ties to the Nigerian government, president or armed forces. Any claim or statement to the contrary is completely false and inaccurate.
ALSO READ: Senate probes N5 billion presidential yacht purchase, promises to use for one week
“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the country of their owner as well as the flag of the country where the vessel is registered.
“The official flag of Nigeria is Green-White-Green with no emblem in the center. Flags representing the President of Nigeria or the Armed Forces do not have any emblem in the center. Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation.
“Regarding the naval observatory and training ship often referred to as the ‘presidential yacht’, it was ordered and acquired by Nigeria during the tenure of President M. Buhari (2015-2023).
“The vessel was delivered in June 2023 but was never paid for. This information has been officially confirmed by the Navy authorities. The Director of Navy Information, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, confirmed in a statement in November 2023 that the yacht was indeed ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and delivered to Nigeria long before it was included in the budget as an unpaid debt obligation.
“Yes, it is in Nigeria.
“Finally, it is important to be careful and refrain from defaming or embarrassing individuals and their legitimate businesses based on false political associations with private property.”
DEBUGGING FAKE NEWS:
There have been false claims circulating that a yacht belonging to an individual seen in St. Tropez is actually a yacht owned by the Nigerian government. Here are some things to consider to find out the truth:
1. The 42m Bennetti yacht that is currently being shared online has…
— O’tega Ogra (@otegaogra) 7 Sept 2024
Presidency clarifies luxury yacht spotted in France does not belong to Tinubu first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
