It's the assembly of renowned experts and leaders of thought in the field of finance, at the Nigerian Air Force Finance Seminar 2024, organised by the Accounts and Budget Branch of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja.
The Nigerian Air Force Finance 2-day Seminar 2024 is aimed at building the professional capacity of NAF finance personnel, which is on capacity building. This seminar will provide a unique platform for NAF personnel to engage in meaningful discussions and reflections.
It also reflects NAF commitment to a principle at the core of effective leadership and national service, and that is the principle of accountability.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar while declaring the seminar open affirmed that the Nigerian Air Force has over the years distinguished itself as a pivotal arm of our national defense architecture. He said personnel have continually demonstrated courage, skill, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation.
The CAS who is particularly pleased with the theme of the seminar, which is Fostering a Culture of Accountability in the Management of Nigerian Air Force Finances in Support of Contemporary Airpower Demands, stressed that it corresponds with his command philosophy.
"The theme of this seminar is particularly timely, underscoring the need for a culture that goes beyond mere compliance with regulations. Therefore, we must be guided by this theme in our deliberations to come up with innovative resolutions.
"We must all note that accountability is the bedrock upon which trust is built, both within the realms of the Nigerian Air Force and between our institution and the Nigerian people. It ensures that every Naira and Kobo allocated to us is used prudently, with the utmost respect for the sacrifices made by the citizens we have sworn to protect", he said
He noted that the Accounts and Budget Branch is critical to NAF operational effectiveness. "When resources are managed with integrity and prudence, it enhances our ability to maintain a high state of readiness to train, equip, and deploy our personnel effectively, as well as to ensure that operational directives are executed without financial constraints.
"It is therefore incumbent on every finance officer, from the highest levels of command to the most junior, to internalize the principles of accountability in all financial domains. This is not merely a requirement of our roles. It is a commitment to the future of the Nigerian Air Force and the security of our nation."he noted
The Air Chief therefore urged all participants to come up with viable ideas for the prudent use of scarce resources to enable NAF to enhance its operational capabilities.
"The presence of finance experts and very experienced senior officers as resource persons for this seminar underscores its importance. I encourage all participants to engage fully, share experiences, and learn from the experts who have been invited to guide us through a critical subject. It is through such collaborations and learning that we can continuously improve our systems and pprocesses"he added
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (CAB), Air Vice Marshal CU Nwagwu, noted that the 2024 Finance Seminar aims to enhance the professional capacity of NAF finance personnel in managing public funds to support the NAF's mission.
He explained that the theme of the Seminar which is, "Fostering a Culture of Accountability in the Management of NAF Finances in Support of Contemporary Air Power Demands," reflects the drive to ensure transparency in financial transactions, promote ethical behavior, and optimize the use of limited resources.
AVM Nwagwu expressed his profound gratitude to the Chief of the Air Staff, the Special Guest of Honour, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya mni, and other distinguished guests for attending the event despite their busy schedules.
The keynote lecture, titled “Managing Financial Resources in the Face of Rising Contemporary Security Challenges: Federal Government Financial Reforms in Perspective,” was presented by Mrs. Lydia Jafiya mni, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
While delivering the keynote lecture, Mrs Jafiya emphasized the importance of commitment from the government, its agencies and citizens alike for smooth running of the affairs of government.
She added that the peace-development nexus is a roadmap to progress and it is required in defining engagement between the military and public financial management which she said is symbiotic.
According to her, without security, economic activities are stifled, revenue generation suffers, and the capacity of the nation and sub-nationals to finance their developmental operations diminishes.
Over the course of the 2-day Seminar, three other presentations will be delivered, followed by in-depth discussion sessions designed to extract key lessons from each.
SpyeTV News reports that the Seminar attracted a host of distinguished guests, including the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Defence, Health and Social Welfare, as well as Budget and Economic Planning.
Also in attendance are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, the Auditor General for the Federation, and Branch Chiefs from the Defence and Service Headquarters, alongside other senior officers, both serving and retired.
The Seminar is anticipated to produce actionable outcomes that will further strengthen the NAF’s financial systems and enhance its capacity to tackle contemporary security challenges effectively.