By Okodili Ndidi, Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday named a two-block of “four-by-two” bedroom for Married Officers’ Accommodation at the NAF Base in Abuja after the late first female fighter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

A remodeled Pilots’ Crew “Room” at the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was earlier named after the late female pilot who was knocked down by a car at the NAF Base in Kaduna.

Eight other officers, who died in active service, were also honoured with blocks of building named after them.

This was announced during the inauguration of newly constructed blocks of Married Officers’ Accommodation and Transit Accommodation for Officers and Airmen at NAF Base in Asokoro, Abuja.

Director of Administration, Air Vice Marshal A. G. Pani, said the buildings were built by the Defence Ministry as part of its 2018 capital project.

He said: “The inauguration of these projects, built by the Ministry of Defence, fits perfectly into the NAF’s aspirations for providing quality and conducive accommodation for its personnel. The provision of these blocks of accommodation will alleviate the accommodation challenges faced by NAF personnel in Abuja.

Read Also: Air Force immortalises Arotile

“In line with the NAF’s tradition, all the blocks being inaugurated today will be named in honour of some of our personnel who lost their lives in the service of our fatherland.

“These blocks are, therefore, being named after nine officers and one airman to immortalise them, in recognition of their sacrifices. In this regard, at NAF Base Bill Clinton Drive, one of the two blocks of ‘10 by one’ bedroom transit accommodation is named after Flag Officer A. A. Mohammed (NAF/5082), who was KIA on September 5, 2020, in Birnin Gwari (Kaduna State) while the second block of ‘10 by one’ bedroom transit accommodation is named after Flight Lt. Akweke Junior Nwakile (NAF/3014), who was KIA on July 21, 2014 while participating in Operation Lafia Dole in the Northeast.

“Additionally, the two blocks of ‘four by two’ bedroom married officers accommodation are named after Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile (NAF/4512F) who died as a result of road traffic accident on July 24, 2020 at NAF Base Kaduna and Flight Lt. John Ayonoteh Adams (NAF/3104) who was KIA on February 19, 2013 while participating in Operation Zaman Lafiya.”

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said: “The provision of befitting accommodation for our personnel and their families remains a top priority for the NAF. Hence, on assumption of office, we deliberately embarked on relentless construction of new office and residential accommodation in various units across the country.

“We are currently undertaking massive renovations, remodelling and upgrading of existing accommodation in NAF bases across the country to bring them to acceptable standard. We are indeed very grateful to the Minister of Defence for sharing this laudable passion with us.”

“In line with this, we established the NAF Base in Asokoro, Abuja, on March 10, 2017 with the construction of 24 blocks of airmen accommodation and a block of two bedroom terrace apartment for officers. We have also completed worship centres and a gym to meet the spiritual and physical needs of our personnel.”

Defence Minister Maj.-Gen. Salihi Magashi said: “What we are witnessing today is part of the drive and commitment of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to support the military and in particular the Nigerian Air Force to gradually and progressively attend to the welfare needs of officers and airmen/airwomen.”