Minister Of Defence Commends Nigerian Air Force Role In Counterinsurgency Operations, Commissions New Accommodation For Personnel

Minister Of Defence Commends Nigerian Air Force Role In Counterinsurgency Operations, Commissions New Accommodation For Personnel

The Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), Mansur Mohammad Dan-Ali, has commended the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in providing required support to the surface forces in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast and armed banditry in the Northwest of the country. The Minister stated this on, 9 April 2019, while commissioning 2 Blocks of 16 Single Room Accommodation for airmen/airwomen constructed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), as well as newly resurfaced roads at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja. The roads, resurfaced by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, were named after retired former Chiefs of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isaac Alfa and Air Vice Marshal Femi John Femi, while the newly constructed blocks of accommodation, which were furnished by the NAF, were named after Late Lance Corporal Nura Adamu and Late Aircraftman Ishmael Meshack who died in the Mi-35M Helicopter crash in Damasak, Borno State on 2 January 2019. The Minister re-affirmed that the NAF remains a key component of the Armed Forces in its constitutional role of providing Aid to Civil Authority across the country. According to him, some of the NAF’s notable efforts in this regard include surveillance, security of airports, emergency assistance and resettlement of displaced persons.

While urging the beneficiaries of the facilities to exhibit the spirit of maintenance due to the huge costs committed in the execution of the projects, the HMOD noted that the projects were in line with the drive and commitment of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to support the NAF in boosting morale of personnel. “I know the average NAF personnel would always put in his best, when he knows that his welfare and that of his family especially as regards accommodation is well catered for”, he said. The Minister expressed profound gratitude to the President for his unflinching support to the NAF stating that the modest achievements so far recorded would not have been possible without his support. The HMOD promised to continue providing the required motivation to enhance NAF performance in its assigned roles.

In his welcome address, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar had commended the efforts of the HMOD and the CAS for initiating such laudable projects to the benefit of NAF personnel. According to him, the need to create a very conducive working environment as well as better living conditions for personnel and their families could not be overemphasized as it would further enhance their professionalism. The occasion was attended by dignitaries, including the representatives of Service Chiefs and the Permanent Secretary MOD, as well Directors from MOD, Branch Chiefs from Headquarters NAF and the Commader 053 NAF Camp Abuja, Air Commodore Garba Yusuf, who gave the vote of thanks.