NAF Graduates 435 Air Personnel on Specialised Military
Operations
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has restated the commitment of the current Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
Administration to human capacity development for enhanced
professional performance. This, he said, was to ensure that NAF
personnel possess the requisite knowledge and skill sets to
effectively support NAF operations.
The CAS made this known today, 21 September 2020, at the
graduation ceremony of 435 personnel of Initial Officers’ and Basic
Airmen/Airwomen Sundry Military Courses, comprising 75 officers and
369 airmen/airwomen, at the Air Force Institute of Technology
(AFIT), Kaduna. Today’s occasion also featured the commissioning of
2 blocks of female hostels constructed by the NAF Investment
Limited (NAFIL) for students of AFIT.
Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that for over 40
years AFIT had consistently trained officers and airmen/airwomen
who are performing creditably in supporting NAF operations as
specialists in aircraft and armament engineering, works and
services, supply management as well as Information and
Communication Technology. The CAS expressed his satisfaction that
AFIT was able to successfully complete the training of 764
personnel during the year, including the 444 graduating students,
despite the COVID-19 Pandemic. He added that the technical and
logistics management courses conducted by AFIT have helped
tremendously to reduce dependence on expatriates and thus
save foreign exchange for the Nation. “The execution of air
operations in theatres across Nigeria, using solely Nigerian crews,
engineers, technicians and controllers, is a testament of the
success story of our capacity building initiatives,” the CAS
said.
The CAS further noted that in the area of pilots’ training, 2
officers, including the first female fighter pilot, were about to
conclude their tactical training on the Alpha Jet aircraft, while
29 officers of Student Pilots’ Course 46 (SP 46) recently completed
their ab-initio pilot training. Air Marshal Abubakar equally
disclosed that, on 18 September 2020, 24 Special Forces (SF)
personnel qualified as rappelling instructors, while another 219
Regiment personnel commenced training at the Regiment Training
Centre Annex in Bauchi to become NAF SF personnel. He observed that
the courses would undoubtedly have positive impact on the NAF’s
operations, thus further positioning the Service into a highly
professional and disciplined force.
While congratulating the graduands for their steadfastness,
tenacity of purpose and grit to complete their course work, Air
Marshal Abubakar reminded them that the initial and basic courses
were just the beginning of their journey as professionals in the
NAF. According to him, tough as the training might have been, it
was to ensure that they all had the necessary skills to function
effectively in their areas of specialization. He charged them to be
good and worthy ambassadors of AFIT as they join a long line of
outstanding graduates of the prestigious citadel of learning who,
through excellence and commitment, have contributed to the success
of the NAF.
The CAS expressed his sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari,
for his continuous support to the NAF. He said the invaluable
support the NAF had enjoyed over the years has placed the Service
in a position to tackle the challenges of insurgency and other
forms of insecurity across the Nation. While commending the
Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Abdulganiyu Olabisi, as well as the
instructors, the CAS enjoined them not to rest on their oars as
they seek ways and means to further improve on their already
sterling performance. He assured them of the NAF’s commitment to
continually upgrade facilities and support training efforts in AFIT
within the limits of available resources.
In his welcome address, the Commandant AFIT, while appreciating
the relentless support of Headquarters NAF, stated that the basic
courses were aimed at introducing the officers and men to their
various trades in preparation for deployment to the field.
According to him, the skills acquired at the training would enable
them carry out their responsibilities at the basic level while they
ready themselves for more specialized functions as they progress in
their careers. The initial training in aircraft maintenance, he
said, serves as their first engagement which would inculcate safety
practices and quality assurance procedures in line with
international standards and best practices. The Commandant stated
further that the Logistics and Procurement courses exposed the
students to warehouse management, storage, transport procedures as
well as the procurement process. “In achieving the training
objectives, resources both human and financial, were judiciously
applied to ensure adequate coverage of theoretical and practical
aspects of the various courses”, he noted.
The Managing Director (MD) NAFIL, Air Commodore Uchechi Nwagwu,
while making his remarks during the commissioning of the female
students’ hostels, stated that the Company embarked on the project
in response to the accommodation challenge faced by AFIT. He noted
that NAFIL had earlier built an Arena comprising a cafeteria,
students’ common room and 31 shops located within the male
students’ hostel of the Institute. “The hostels have been built to
meet highly acceptable standards of a tertiary students’ hostel as
the rooms are not only all ensuite, but equally fitted with
individual kitchenettes for added convenience of their
occupants”. The MD disclosed that due to judicious management of
approved funds to construct the hostels, some savings were made,
which were used to procure beds and mattresses for all the
anticipated occupants, thereby adding additional value to the
project. He added that NAFIL had also extended its easy-ride
services to AFIT with the provision of 4 six-seater passenger
tricycles to convey students from the hostels to other facilities
around the Institute.
The Initial and Basic Courses, which commenced about a year ago,
included the Engineering Officers’ Initial Course, Initial
Officers’ Armament Maintenance Course, Initial Logistics and
Procurement Management Officers’ Course and Initial
Electrical/Electronics/Radar/Information Technology Officers’
Course. Other courses were the Basic Airmen Aircraft Maintenance
Course – Air Frame and Power Plant Option, Basic Airmen Maintenance
Course – Avionics Option as well as the Basic Airmen Logistics and
Procurement Course.
Highlights of the colourful graduation ceremony, which had the
Chairman House Committee on Ports and Harbour, Honourable Garba
Mohammed, as well as other dignitaries and senior military officers
in attendance, included the presentation of certificates to the
graduating students as well as presentation of awards to those who
distinguished themselves during the various courses. Among the
award winners were Flying Officer Godwin Oluyomi and Aircraftwoman
Deborah Umoru who emerged as the Best-All-Round Officer and
Airwoman with CGPAs of 4.89 and 4.75 respectively. The event also
featured an exhibition of some of the Research and Development
projects executed by the graduating students.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
21 September 2020