Nigerian Air Force Trains 47 Personnel On Aviation-Related Safety Courses

Nigerian Air Force Trains 47 Personnel On Aviation-Related Safety Courses

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has continued to ensure that the use of the airspace by its operators, especially in the ongoing fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country, is conducted in accordance with international best practices. One of the means through which this imperative is being actualised, is sustained capacity building through constant training and re-training of NAF personnel in air operations related safety courses.

Speaking during the combined graduation ceremony of 47 personnel from Air Traffic Control Assistants/Base Operations and Fire Fighters’ Course 2/2019 yesterday, 8 August 2019, at the Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC) Kaduna, the Guest of Honour, the Rector Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed, said the NAF is making concerted effort towards the continuous development of ATSTC into a hub of excellence in Air Traffic Services (ATS) human capacity development, not only for the benefit of the NAF but indeed for the nation and the world at large. He stated that the presence of well informed and quality ATS personnel in an air operations environment was key to effective flight operations and efficient management of the airspace, to prevent hazards both in the air and on ground. He applauded the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for his unwavering commitment to training in the NAF so as to build capacity to reposition the Service into a highly professional and disciplined force. Captain Mohammed urged the graduating students to contribute their quota, for efficient air operations to deal with the current internal security challenges in the Country, having been equipped with requisite knowledge to effectively discharge their duties in the airfield environment.

In his welcome address, the Commandant ATSTC, Air Vice Marshal Haruna Mohammed, urged the students to be good ambassadors of the ATSTC through their conduct and exemplary behavior in their various units. He thanked the Guest of Honour for his support in all training and administrative matters of the Centre and equally extolled the CAS for his passion towards training in the NAF.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of certificates to all the graduating students, which included 3 females, as well as merit awards to 6 students who distinguished themselves during the course. The occasion was graced by the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Suleiman, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, as well as Principal Staff Officers of ATC alongside Commandants and Commanders of Co-located Units in Kaduna.