After nearly five years in the making, the Nigerian navy ship or NNS Andoni was launched with a colourful event.
At 31m (100ft) long, this is no giant of the seas, but the fact that it was designed and built in Nigeria, by Nigerian engineers, is a great source of pride.
"We are all happy and elated," said Commodore SI Alade, one of Nigeria's senior naval officers.
"This is the first time this kind of thing is happening in Nigeria and even in the sub region."
Moments after stepping on board NNS Andoni, sailor FL Badmus said: "I feel on top of the world.
"I'm proud to have been picked by the naval authorities to serve on this ship.
"We hope this is the beginning of very good things to come and we thank God for it."
The warship was named after the Andoni people of south-eastern Nigeria - and several chiefs travelled to Lagos to witness the launch - including his Royal Highness NL Ayuwu Iraron Ede-Obolo II, wearing a top hat, a sequin-adorned velvet gown and a brightly coloured necklace.
The ceremony also featured multi-faith prayers, with an imam asking God to "protect and preserve this ship from the dangers of the day and the violence of the enemy", and a Christian praying: "May she sail with success like the Ark of Noah."
The event had an interesting twist of symbolism for the guest of honour, Nigeria's leader, Goodluck Jonathan.
Anti-pirate ship
He is from a family of canoe makers - and that he is now the president launching a warship is a sign of how far he has risen.
"This is the beginning of the transformation... and I believe in another 10 to 15 years, we can be thinking about starting a project to take Nigerians into the air," President Jonathan said.
The NNS Andoni could be key in the fight against militants operating near Nigeria's oil fields as well as the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Piracy in Nigerian waters is on the increase and incidents are happening over a wider area, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
There were 10 piracy attacks off the 780km (485 miles) of Nigeria's coastline during the first quarter this year - the same number reported for the whole of 2011.
"While the number of reported incidents in Nigeria is still less than Somalia… the level of violence against crew is dangerously high," according to a recent IMB report.
The NNS Andoni is equipped with an advanced radar system and firepower.
"With a speed of up to 25 knots (46km/h), this can quickly go to intercept the pirates," said Commanding Officer Adepegba standing on the bridge pointing out the ship's three machine guns and the automatic grenade launcher.
Foreign orders
The Nigerian navy reportedly wants to acquire 49 more vessels over the next 10 years. But how many will be home built?
Orders are already in - for three from a French shipbuilder, and six from Singapore.
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