— NAF Graduates 30 Pilots in Enugu, Commissions Upgraded Facilities
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has charged 30 newly graduated helicopter pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to demonstrate unwavering integrity, commitment, and professionalism as they step into active service.
Speaking at the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Integrated Helicopter Pilot Course 9/2024 and the Airline Transport Pilot Licence Course 2/2025, held on July 30 at the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS) in Enugu, the CAS—represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Edosa—emphasized the critical role of airpower in addressing contemporary security threats.
"You are stepping into a dynamic and complex operational environment," the CAS stated. "Your success will depend not just on the flying skills you have acquired, but also on your ability to adapt, collaborate, and operate as part of a joint force. You carry the hopes of a nation and the trust of a service that remains a pillar of peace and stability."
The event also marked the formal commissioning of a newly renovated aircraft hangar at IHFS, a key infrastructure upgrade designed to boost maintenance and operational capacity. Other ongoing projects include a new school headquarters and 36 units of student accommodation, all geared toward transforming IHFS into a global hub for helicopter pilot training.
According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the ceremony also saw the graduation of IHFS flight instructors who completed their Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training, along with promotions for several instructors. These developments, he said, reflect the school’s growing instructional capability and adherence to international standards.
The CAS praised the Rector and instructional team at IHFS for their dedication and professionalism, and also commended the Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited and the School’s Board of Directors for their strategic oversight and support.
Reaffirming the NAF’s commitment to human capacity development and infrastructure-driven operational excellence, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that IHFS remains a cornerstone of his command philosophy, focused on building a mission-ready, self-reliant force.
The graduation ceremony not only celebrated pilot proficiency but also highlighted the Nigerian Air Force’s broader strategic vision for strengthening rotary-wing aviation in the country’s evolving security landscape.