NAF Honours Members of Helicopter Crash, Others News

NAF Honours Members of Helicopter Crash,
Others

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday, 26 January 2019,
honoured the 5 crew members of the Mi-35M helicopter that crashed
in Damasak, Borno State on 2 January 2019 while providing close air
support to troops of 145 Battalion. The 5 deceased crew members
were honoured alongside, the Late Squadron Leader Mohammed Bello
Baba-Ari, a fighter Instructor Pilot who died during rehearsals for
aerial display for Nigeria’s 58th Independence Celebration, as well
as 13 other deserving NAF personnel and civilians who had
distinguished themselves in their areas of responsibilities in
2018. The humanitarian efforts of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’
Wives Association (NAFOWA) were also specially recognized with an
award presented to the National President of the Association,
Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar. Similarly, the most collaborating civilian
institution in the area of Research and Development (R & D) was
recognized while officers of air rank who retired from active
service between September 2017 and January 2019 were also honoured
to mark their years of invaluable contributions to the NAF and
meritorious service to the Nation. The deserving personnel were
honoured at the Chief of the Air Staff’s Annual Awards Night for
2018. The CAS Awards Night is an annual event which provides a
forum to appreciate and recognize NAF personnel and civilian staff
who have distinguished themselves and made remarkable difference in
the course of the year. It was a spectacular night to behold as the
honourees filed out one after the other to receive their
awards.

Speaking during the colourful ceremony, the Guest of Honour, the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss
Mustapha, represented by the Honourable Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, commended the CAS, Air Marshal
Sadique Abubakar, for his foresight and for encouraging excellence
by ensuring that those who have contributed to the success of the
NAF are recognized and rewarded. According to him, recognition and
awards are effective management tools that motivate personnel who
are doing well to keep up the work whilst also challenging those
performing below expectations to redouble their efforts.

The SGF stated further that, “It is glaring that the NAF has
made huge sacrifices through the commitment, dedication and
perseverance of its personnel in the defence of our Nation. The
conduct of sustained air operations, both night and day, by the NAF
is significantly responsible for the successes recorded so far in
our war against insurgency and other criminalities. I therefore
wish to commend the CAS for the high level of professionalism being
displayed by the NAF”, he said. While congratulating all award
winners and urging them not to rest on their oars, the SGF
encouraged other personnel, who may not have received an award, not
to despair. He noted that with perseverance and hard work their day
of recognition would also come.

In his remarks, the CAS stated that the occasion was meant to
celebrate personnel who showed courage in the face of terror and
exhibited strength where others saw fear; personnel who applied
ingenuity where others perceived impossibility. He emphasized that
the operational successes achieved particularly in the outgone
year, 2018, would not have been possible without the dogged
determination, commitment and sacrifices made by officers and
airmen/airwomen of the Service. According to him, the personnel
operated under very demanding and tough conditions in the various
theatres of operations, with some unfortunately paying the supreme
sacrifice. “We will not fail to recognize the sacrifices of our
colleagues who in the course of duty to this great country paid the
supreme price. Let me assure you that their sacrifice is not in
vain as it has further spurred us to remain focused and ever
determined in realizing a secure, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
To the families of our deceased colleagues, be rest assured that
you are not forgotten. The NAF will continue to provide the
necessary assistance and support in appreciation of the sacrifice
of your loved ones”, the CAS reiterated.

Air Marshal Abubakar reminded the awardees not to lose steam or
rest on their oars. He urged them to keep up the good work while
also stating that the contributions of all other NAF personnel to
the progress of the Service were not unnoticed. “The NAF cannot be
strong and effective without our collective contributions no matter
how modest they may be. Hence, believe in yourselves and try to be
better than you have been”, he said. The CAS, who expressed his
sincere appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for
his visionary leadership and continued support for the NAF, and
also congratulated the Chief of Administration, Headquarters NAF,
Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, and his Team for putting together a
colourful event.

For the senior officers’ category, Wing Commander Mohammed Umar,
Squadron Leader Sunkanmi Akinbohun and Squadron Leader Ubong Sunday
were honoured with the CAS Award while Flight Lieutenant Ibrahim
Goni and Flying Officer Jeremiah Dogonzo won the junior officers’
category. For the Senior Non Commissioned Officers’ (SNCOs)
Category, Warrant Officer Shuaibu Yusuf, Sergeant Samanja Ishaya
and Sergeant Alabi David were honoured, while Corporal Adeleke
Abiodun and Lance Corporal Shinku Godwin received the awards in the
Non Commissioned Officers’ (NCOs) Category. Mr Goke Akande and Mr
Emmanuel Ngene won the senior civilian staff and junior civilian
staff category, respectively, while University of Maiduguri emerged
the most collaborating civilian Institution of the year 2018. In
the same vein, Air Commodore Olufemi Odeyinde, Group Captain
Olayinka Oyesola and Air Commodore Paul Efanga were recognized for
emerging best overall and Best All Round Participant, Second
Overall in Order of Merit and Third Overall in Order of Merit at
the National Defence College (NDC) Course 26, respectively.
Squadron Leader Fredrick Oyenusi was equally recognized for
emerging the Best Overall in Order of Merit at the Armed Forces
Command and Staff College Senior Course 40 and winning the “Tie of
Merit” for attaining a “B” Grade on the course.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA

Air Commodore

Director of Public Relations and Information

Nigerian Air Force
…….

CHANGE OF BATON: AIR VICE MARSHAL UZEZI
ASSUMES OFFICE AS 11TH AIR OFFICER COMMANDING MOBILITY
COMMAND

Sequel to the recent redeployment of senior officers in the
Nigerian Air Force (NAF), a formal change of baton in the
leadership of Mobility Command (MC) was conducted on 25 January
2019 with Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Peter Uzezi assuming office as
Eleventh Air Officer Commanding (AOC) MC. In a colourful Handing
and Taking Over Ceremony conducted at the Headquarters (HQ) of the
Command in Yenagoa, the immediate past AOC MC, AVM Napoleon Bali,
remarked that the he had done his best. AVM Bali, who is being
redeployed as AOC Special Operations Command Bauchi, congratulated
his successor and implored personnel of MC to work assiduously for
his success.

In his response, the new AOC MC, AVM Uzezi, expressed his
gratitude to the CAS for finding him worthy of being entrusted with
such an onerous responsibility. He stated that the Command, under
his leadership, would continue to strive to fulfill its mandate of
providing tactical and strategic airlift in support of military
operations, whilst also providing assistance to civil authority
whenever required. He reminded the personnel of the Command of
their role in securing lives and property of all Nigerians,
especially as the 2019 Elections draw closer. The AOC also called
on the personnel to give him the same support which was enjoyed by
his predecessor.

The Handing and Taking Over Ceremony was rounded off with the
Command 2019 First Quarter Regimental Dinner Night (RDN) at the NAF
Officers’ Mess Yenagoa. The Special Guest of Honour at the Dinner,
Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Seriake Dickson,
represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), commended
the NAF for sustaining the culture of regimentation, for which the
military is known. He explained that the essence of RDNs is to
foster comradeship and deepen solidarity among the military and
other institutions. The Dinner Night was well attended by Heads of
Sister Services such as the Commander Operation Delta Safe, Flag
Officer Commanding Central Naval Command and General Officer
Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, among others.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force