The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) is deploying surveillance aircraft to potential flashpoints across the country as part of efforts to secure lives and property during general elections commencing tomorrow with the presidential and national assembly polls.
The surveillance aircraft are besides those assigned for support operations during the elections, according to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Abubakar,at a meeting with Principal Staff Officers and Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) of the six NAF Field Commands in Abuja,said the surveillance aircraft would provide real-time imagery intelligence that would be streamed live to the HQ NAF Situation Room as well as Command Situation/Operations Rooms across the country.
He stressed the need for all officers and men to remain apolitical in the course of their duties, and resist any entreaty by individuals who are more concerned about their personal interests than the nation’s interests.
He also urged them to work very closely with other security agencies to ensure that no individual or group of individuals undermine the electoral process.
He warned that Commanders would be held personally responsible for any lapses.
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Air Force,Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the force is working in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies to “ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians before, during and after the elections.”
The Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Thursday said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would provide all necessary logistic support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it achieve success during the 2019 general elections.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the Air Force has put adequate arrangements in place as done in 2015 to facilitate transportation of INEC sensitive materials to some designated locations across the country.
The Air Chief who made the remarks while addressing Field Commanders and other Senior Officers during the 2nd Quarter Conference of the CAS at the Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, however warned officers and men of the Air Force to steer clear of partisan politics as the nation commenced preparations for the elections.
He said the Officers and men of the force should remain focus in their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that as politics is in the air they should not be distracted either by political activities or social media comments.
The Air Chief further noted that the aim of the conference is to review the progress attained in the NAF since the last Conference, adding that the meeting would afford the opportunity for the officers to critically appraise the performance of the Service in the past few months.
Said Air Marshal Abubakar: “This Conference equally provides an avenue to listen and get feedback from various field commanders while also keeping them abreast of the policy direction of the Headquarters NAF.
“I have held a similar Conference with the Air Warrant Officers and very Senior Non-Commissioned Officers of the NAF the previous day and the aim of the meeting is largely being to get a feedback from the personnel, as part of the bottom to top approach of the current leadership.
“Let me remind the senior officers that the 2019 general elections were fast approaching and therefore caution that you should not allow yourselves to be dragged into partisan politics.
“Even though you have the right to vote, exercise this right and do not be distracted from your constitutional duty of ensuring the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity and remain focused on any duty constitutionally assigned to you by the NAF.”
Air Marshal Abubakar assured that the NAF would continue to operate in line with its constitutional mandate, promising that officers and men of the service would work towards ensuring that the sovereignty of Nigeria is not undermined by any group of individuals.
The CAS said further: “Let me at this juncture assure that the Nigerian Air Force is willing to avail INEC its transport aircraft for the expeditious distribution of electoral materials during the forthcoming 2019 general elections as it had done in the past, should INEC require such services”.
Air Marshal Abubakar advised the senior officers to take advantage of the lectures to be delivered at the conference by resource persons, noting that the conference was meant to fine tune their skills and update their knowledge on modern warfare.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a major reorganisation of its Air Operations in the Northeast by replacing the Air Component Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole with a new Commander of the Air Task Force.
Accordingly, the New Commander of the Task Force is Air Vice Marshal Idi Lubo.
He replaced Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Saadique Abubakar who made the announcement said the development was aimed at achieving increased efficiency in the operations of the Air Force against the Boko Haram Terrorists. He added that the new commander would report to the Theatre Commander.
Air Marshal Abubakar also said the NAF has acquired a total of five combat helicopters and activated new platforms in the Northeast to clear the remnants of the terrorists from the zone and ensure effective and efficient military operations that would engender peace in the country.
He made the remarks at the opening of the Chief of the Air Staff Fourth Quarter Conference holding at the Blue Room of the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
The Conference had in attendance Branch Chiefs from Headquarters-NAF, Air Officers Commanding, Commandants of NAF and some tri-Service institutions, all Air Vice Marshals serving in Abuja, Directors from HQ NAF and NAF field commanders from its various bases.
The Air Chief said a number of pilots had completed their trainings and deployed for operational duties across the country, while about 500 Special Forces have been trained and deployed as well to ensure operational efficiency in the service.
Said he: “This conference is to appraise progress made in the NAF since the end of the Third Quarter. The last was held in Kaduna three months ago. The idea is also to obtain ideas from the bottom to the top such that ideas would be shared towards moving the NAF forward.
“A number of pilots had completed their training and deployed for operational duties. A female pilot, for the first time in the history of the NAF, was on the way to the United States Air Force for training as a fighter pilot, having graduated as the overall best pilot during ab-initio training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna.
“The NAF had activated additional platforms which had been deployed for operations in the Northeast. For example, one Bell 412 Helicopter had been activated while work on the second one would be completed before the end of the month.
“One Mi-35P Helicopter is being reactivated and should be ready for operation by January 2018 ending. The overhauled engines needed for the reactivation had already arrived in Nigeria. The reactivation is being done locally to further build the capacity of NAF technical personnel and also save cost. So, foreign technical experts had been invited to execute the project in conjunction with NAF engineers and technicians.
“The 2 additional Mi-35M helicopters recently procured for the NAF by the Federal Government had been test flown in Russia and should be operational in Nigeria by February 2018. Therefore, total of 5 combat helicopters are being added to the NAF counterinsurgency efforts.
“The NAF air operations in the Northeast has been reorganized for increased efficiency. The Air Component Commander has been replaced with a Commander Air Task Force, an Air Vice Marshal (2-star General), who reports to the Theatre Commander.
“The NAF has also appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the Nigerian Army’s 3 Armourer Division as well as 7 and 8 Divisions in the Northeast. The whole idea is to ensure a better coordination of air efforts with ground operations”, Air Marshal Abubakar asserted.
The United Kingdom (UK) has deployed officers from the royal air force to help rain Nigerian personnel.
The 66 personnel will be in Nigeria for six weeks is expected to wrap up by Mid July.
In a statement issued by Joe Abuku, Press and Public Affairs officer, British High Commission, Abuja the team will be in Nigeria for six weeks.
The statement reads: “A 66 person Short Term Training Team (STTT) from No 5 Royal Air Force (RAF) Force Protection Wing deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to Nigeria for a 6 week period to train the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.
“The focus of the STTT is to deliver a training package which enables students to operate effectively in the Complex Air Ground Environment (CAGE) by understanding their role to provide security and Force Protection operations both inside and outside an Air base. This forms a key part of a layered defence system; deterring and defeating an enemy away from the airfield whilst also assuring internal security of a base. Additionally, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned officers will be given the opportunity to enhance their tactical leadership and planning skills, whilst the Junior Airmen and Airwomen build on the skills they learned during basic training.
The detachment, the 3rd undertaken by 5 Force Protection (FP) Wing in a 5 year programme, comes after a request from the Nigerian Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar to assist in capacity building for the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.
Air Marshal Abubakar said: “Given the importance of bases in the airpower delivery matrix, it is not inconceivable to expect our adversaries to target our airbases. As a matter of fact, we have had an attack on one of our airbases in the recent past, and current intelligence reports keep highlighting the possibility of attacks on our bases. All these reinforce the need to emplace a robust base defence concept that is capable of providing guidance for responding to a wide range of situations that may threaten our bases.”
Officer Commanding 5 Force Protection Wing, Wing Commander John Rees said: “We are delighted to be here again and, as always, humbled by the warmth of the Nigerian welcome. We are proud of our Royal Air Force heritage and the opportunity to represent our service in the Defence Engagement arena.”
During time away from delivering training, STTT personnel have taken opportunities to expand their cultural awareness. A small group attended their first Nigerian church service, meeting local people and celebrating together. Others burn the midnight oil, thinking tactics and formations for the first of the UK vs Nigeria Air Forces football series.
Having already delivered the Train the Trainer package to 50 Non Commissioned Officers and Commissioned Officers, a further 250 students will now begin the Foundation Phase, bringing a total of around 300 Nigerian personnel to be trained across a mixture of ranks. The programme will culminate with a demanding final exercise at a live airfield to validate the understanding of all skills taught in a realistic environment prior to the graduating students deploying to their first operational assignment in the Nigerian Air Force.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered an investigation into alleged invasion of the University of Osun State, located at Ipetu Ijesha by some personnel of Nigerian Air Force.
The Chief of The Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar who ordered the investigation, assured that any Air Force personnel found wanting would be dealt with according to the law.
The NAF Chief who spoke through the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya in a statement, described the incident as unfortunate, asserting that the conduct does not represent what the NAF stands for.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force NAF has been drawn to reports of some ots personnel being involved in a fracas on the campus of the University of Osun State at Ipetu Ijesha.
“While the NAF highly regrets the entire incidence, it is noteworthy that the reported incidence is not a reflection of what the NAF stands for.
“The NAF is a highly professional force that does not condone or encourage the violation of anyone’s human right. The general public is invited to kindly note that the NAF has already commenced formal investigations into the reported unfortunate incidence.
“At the end of the investigation, Nigerians are assured that any NAF personnel found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate laws.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated the first set of Super Mushshak Instructor Pilots.
The conversion of the pilots is expected to enhance pilot training which will in turn impact positively on the operational effectiveness of the NAF especially in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities within the country.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, the NAF said the training will further boost the training of young pilots as 30 officers have already been selected to commence training with the newly trained Instructor Pilots.
While presenting certificates to the new graduating Instructor Pilots, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar stated that training has remained a major means of transformation over the ages. According to him, the importance of training informed the choice of ‘human capacity development through robust and result-oriented training for enhanced professional performance’ as the first key driver to the attainment of his vision for the Nigerian Air Force.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force inducted the Super Mushshak aircraft into the NAF inventory on 5 December 2016 to address the challenge of training pilots. The graduation marked the final takeover of the aircraft as Nigerian pilots can now fly and train other student pilots.
The Nigerian Air Force has continued to invest heavily in the welfare of its officers and men especially through the provision of standardize educational facilities for dependents of its personnel. Assistant Editor, Seun Akioye who was at the commissioning of two schools reports
Inside the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Abuja, the vision statement of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was boldly written. The statement reads: “To re-position the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives.”
On the surface, it may look like one of those well-crafted mission statements which usually end up as empty statements, but for the man who is referred to simply as “chief”, the vision is worth every weight.
NAFOWA Little Angels Primary School Kaduna
One of the ways which the CAS is hoping to re-write history and fulfill his vision is through education not only of Air Force personnel-which is done through training- but also providing for the needs of the dependents of his men through provision of world class educational facilities.
One of such is the Air Force Girls’ Comprehensive School located at the NAF Base Abuja. The NAF was not the original initiator of the school, but the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA), led by Hajia Hafsat Abubakar, wife of the CAS. But the NAF took over the construction of the school after NAFOWA ran out of resources to complete it in 2013.
In December 2015, the CAS directed that work should resume and in eight months, a world class infrastructure stood in the ruins of the abandoned structure. What was built was described by the Minister for Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folasade Yemi- Esan as a “21st century school.”
The sparkling new school boasts of a mini stadium, dining hall, hostel, tennis court, fully equipped classrooms, a library and a clinic. A standby generator is on hand to provide electricity while the science, Art and Agriculture laboratories and four other classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards which enables the students to experience the three ways of learning: hear, see, and feel.
Educating the girl child
Air Force comprehensive girls school Abuja
The CAS did not bite his lips when he enumerated the importance of educating the girl child and why the NAF view it as one of its cardinal focus.” Our experience in fighting insurgency in the Northeast indicates the exploitation of the girl child by insurgents due to low literacy level. At present, birth rate statistics show that 65 percent of births are girls. It is documented by most state Ministries of Education that the enrolment of girls in secondary schools is below 45 percent.
“This statistic is further supported by the results of the West African Examination Council. For instance in 2011,out of a total of 688,516 girls that sat for the examination, only 226,804 got 5 credits. Similarly in 2012, about 747,553 girls sat for the examination and only 310,822 were successful.”
The CAS said this NAF resolved to establish the school as “our modest contribution to Mr. President’s efforts at enhancing girl child education in Nigeria.” With the new school, the NAF now has two secondary schools dedicated to girl child education with one in Jos and Abuja respectively. He added that the school will educate the hearts and minds of the girls that would pass through its gates.
For the Minister of Education, the construction of the school was “humbling” also stressing that the ratio of girl child education to boys is 1:3 in some states. This is also reinforced by the extremism of Boko Haram and the risks associated with girl child education kept the female educational attainment perpetually low.
After commissioning the school and a tour of the facilities was conducted, Dr. Yemi Esan said: “ I came here with some uncertainties but I am impressed, this school is directed towards the underprivileged to curt out of school syndrome, we encourage other arms of government to follow suit, this is a 21st century school.”
Yemi- Esan would not be the only one to be impressed, the next day at the Air Force Base Kaduna where NAFOWA had rehabilitated a nursery school and added the NAFOWA Little Angels Primary School, the CAS was also left impressed.
“I am overwhelmed,” he said when he was called to make a remark after the school had been commissioned by Hajia Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Hadiza El-rufai.
“Four years ago, I brought my daughter to the crèche here, but I am sure she cannot recognize her school again because of the transformation,” he said. Like the girls school, the NAFOWA Primary school was built to world standard with ample playing room for the children, a fully equipped library and computer centre, spacious and conducive atmosphere for learning, white black boards, fully equipped home economics room and a crèche with modern facilities.
While the CAS may have focused on education for the dependents of personnel, the real driver of these projects is adding value to the society.” Adding value to the society is our core mandate, I strongly belief that adding value to the society is the best legacy we can bequeath to our children,” he said. But there is also a greater vision, that of thinking ahead. “ We have recruited 2,400 personnel ad with the increase, you must start thinking of infrastructure. Our actions are driven by the desire to add value to society and that is the right direction to go,” he said.
There are many worries that come with such projects, will the infrastructure not a pointer to an exorbitant school fees. Will the school be opened to children of civilians and how would the NAF maintain such a high standard facility, how much was expended into the project?
The CAS has answers for all. The school will follow the usual NAF fees schedule without adding anything on, the school will be opened to civilians, the NAF has maintenance structure put in place and the schools are of high standard so will stand the test of time and the schools are built using direct labour from the NAF, thereby cutting costs and enhancing the skills of Air Force engineers.
