The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, on Wednesday reaffirmed the “unshakeable dedication of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to national security,” vowing that NAF will relentlessly work to hunt down and eliminate all threats to Nigeria’s peace.
Air Marshal ABubakar, who spoke at the NAF Administration and Personnel Management Seminar in Abuja, declared that the NAF’s effective employment of air power will extend the long arm of the law as it would bring justice to criminals hiding in the nation’s ungoverned spaces.
The CAS emphasised that ongoing air operations against criminal elements demonstrate the Air Force’s resolve to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation.
The Air Chief pledged: “We will find, fix, and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all.”
Air Marshal Abubakar also stated that sound administration and personnel management are essential for the success of military operations.
He highlighted the seminar’s theme, “Optimizing Contemporary Human Resource Techniques to Enhance Ongoing Transformation Initiatives of the NAF,” as crucial in aligning human resource practices with the evolving security landscape.
Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that under his leadership, NAF has significantly expanded, adding that the Air Force is investing in modernized Human Resource Management (HRM), digitalized record-keeping, and enhanced training programs.
He also outlined significant improvements in personnel welfare, including better medical facilities, expanded accommodation, and improved insurance policies.
Significantly, he noted that over 2,972 personnel have benefited from new or renovated housing, reflecting the NAF’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its officers, airmen and airwomen.
Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that 601 personnel of the Admin branch had undergone specialized training since he assumed office.
The training, conducted at the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management (NAFIAM), aims to enhance leadership and management skills across all ranks. He also used the opportunity to express gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his continued support of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as to retired officers and distinguished guests whose insights would enrich discussions at the Seminar.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, highlighted the Seminar’s importance in addressing emerging manpower requirements amidst recent structural transformations within the NAF.
He noted that the recent establishment the NAF Transformation & Innovation and Civil-Military Relations Branches as well as the Directorates of Peace Support Operations, Air Worthiness & Certification, Lands Administration, and Project Monitoring, necessitates a shift from traditional skills to more specialised expertise.
He expressed gratitude to the CAS for his unwavering support for administrative reforms and extended appreciation to participants, including distinguished resource persons, for their expected contributions to advancing HRM within the NAF.
Participants at the seminar include Director General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, President and Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, amongst others, in addition to seasoned NAF personnel administrators, serving and retired.
