Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Nigerian Air Force despite its challenges will stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the world.
Buhari who was represented by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo at the grand finale of the 59th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force held at the Ground Training Command, GTC Enugu on Saturday, said that Nigeria as a country is proud that in less than four years it has been able to revitalise its armed forces as they have proved their mettle both locally and internationally.
“I must say that I am impressed by the display put up by officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force at this ceremonial event, especially in the March past/ parade and the colourful arial exhibition.
“This display aptly demonstrates the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to achieving high standards of operational readiness, indeed our Air Force is willing, able, and ready”, Osibanjo said.
He commended the Chief of Air Staff and his team for the commendable leadership they have shown.
Osibanjo said that President Buhari has prioritised the restoration of professionalism in the military to enable them effectively discharge their responsibilities.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has ensured that substantial investments have been made by acquiring new platforms and other support equipment for the military and other security agencies as well as reactivating and upgrading existing platforms.
“In the last four years, the administration acquired new air platforms for the Nigerian Air Force such as the GF 17 thunder multi-role fighter aircraft, the A29 Super Tucano aircraft, the Diamond-62 aircraft, and the T1-29 attack helicopters, Beach-craft and unmanned arial system and we have just commissioned two of those platforms that had been purchased earlier by this administration”, Osibanjo stated.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has also reactivated several aircraft and its worthy of note that the procurement process for military hardware has been reviewed to remove inefficiency and introduce transparency.
“For example, the procurement for the purchase of the 12 super Tucano aircraft in 2018, was done through a transparent first of its kind government to government deal with the United States of America.
“It is evident that the huge investments in the capacity development of the Nigerian Air Force have helped to turn the tide against terrorists and other violent non-state actors in our nation”, the vice president said.
Osibanjo commended the renewed focus on research, innovation and self-reliance by the Chief of Air Staff.
“It is also an important component of the development of our military-industrial complex for Nigeria and the armed forces in general and am pleased to note that we are seeing an Air Force that is increasingly confident about its ability and capability to innovate and to deploy locally developed technology”, Osibanjo said.
He urged the Nigerian Air Force to strive to expand its collaborations outside of the military. “And by this I mean collaborations with the academia, with think tanks, with civilian technology hubs and independent innovations and creators.
“I am aware that the collaborations with our universities and research institutions are already growing. There is a great amount of potential waiting to be unleashed from these partnerships”, Osibanjo reiterated
Yemi Osibanjo complemented the resolve of the armed forces and the invaluable contributions of other security agencies in containing the security challenges in some parts of Nigeria, especially the contributions of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing the security challenges of armed banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping in North West and north central.
“Your efforts in conjunction with other security agencies have started to yield positive results. Well done indeed. But let us never lose sight of the reason for our existence as the military component of government” he said.
He charged them to continue to work to earn the confidence of the nation and the respect of the international community.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion were not limited to the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, serving and retired senior officers of the armed forces, the state commissioner of police, and the Media.
By Aja Chukwumerije/NAN