To align with his command philosophy, which is “to maintain a highly motivated force by enhancing the welfare and infrastructural renewal”, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has commissioned modern sports complex, 56-shop mammy plaza, 40-bed hospital, fire bay and a microfinance bank. He also claimed and secured all landed properties belonging to the Nigerian Air Force
The commissioning took place today, 20 May 2024 to mark the Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary Celebration) of the Nigerian Air Force which marks a significant milestone in the steady but progressive journey of the Nigerian Air Force to meet the defence needs of modern Nigeria.
According to the Chief of the Air Staff, the projects commissioned today are particularly dear to his heart because the Nigerian Air Force, over some years now has faced serious accommodation challenges consequent on their recent expansion in force structure.
He pointed out that to align with my command philosophy which is “To transform the NAF into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments”, I made a commitment to offset as much of the inherited housing deficits as possible, to ensure that our personnel are adequately motivated. This commitment includes the provision of good medical care and contemporary sporting facilities for personnel and their families.
Air Chief said the leadership of President and Commander in Chief of the Armed of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force under his leadership has made the outstanding infrastructural changes as you have witnessed.
"Our personnel in Abuja now have access to a modern sports complex, 56-shop mammy plaza, 40-bed hospital, fire bay and a microfinance bank. They also have a mini base, an ultramodern office complex and housing estates with recreational facilities. Soon, the Asokoro Base Garden and Park will be commissioned to compliment good health and environmental conservation in that Base.
"Furthermore, having envisaged the necessity of landholding to the growth of the Nigerian Air Force, I sought to ensure that all landed properties belonging to the Service are properly claimed and well secured.
"Consequently, the Service is safeguarding all of its lands countrywide, and with the assistance of government agencies like the Federal Capital Development Authority, is legally and humanly reclaiming land portions that have been encroached upon. These reclaimed lands will afford the Nigerian Air Force the space to site future operational facilities and living accommodations for our growing workforce.
"Essentially, all the aforementioned infrastructural strides are a testament to our fulfilment of a key drivers of my command philosophy, which is “to maintain a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal”.
"A project worthy of note is the Nigerian Air Force Centre of Excellence. The Centre will accommodate and provide facilities for 4 very key institutes; the Institute of Airpower Studies, Air Force War College, Air Warfare Centre and Air to Ground Integration School. It is envisaged that the Centre, when completed would offer first-rate air power education and learning as well as foster innovation in air power doctrinal development.
He noted that the Centre will no doubt have a transformative impact, not just on the Nigerian Air Force, but on military aviation worldwide. Ultimately, all projects that we have commissioned today are inspired by the revived will of the Nigerian Air Force to exhaustively meet the tasks imposed on it by Nigeria; tasks that my administration has vowed to vigorously accomplish.
