The efforts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) towards reinvigorating some of its capabilities, while developing new ones in line with the ever-changing security environment received a major boost with the graduation of 648 regiment personnel at the Regiment Training Centre (RTC), Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria.
In his address at the graduation ceremony, the Guest of Honour, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Training Command (ATC), AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi noted that the personnel, who have completed the Basic and Advanced Regiment Courses, are a product of a Service committed to continually ‘pursuing purposeful training and human capacity development’ for enhanced force protection competences to secure and protect the citizenry.
A breakdown of the various competences that make up the 648 graduands revealed that 25 were products of Young Officers’ Course, 9 from Basic Regiment Officers Course, 44 of Advanced Regiment Airmen Course, 53 from the Intermediate Regiment Airmen Course and the remaining 517 graduands of Basic Regiment Airmen/Airwomen Course.
In a statement on the event by NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the AOC (ATC), AVM Jolasinmi, who was represented by ATC Chief of Staff, AVM Emmanuel Chukwu, said “the quality of training received by our Regiment personnel is evident in their deployment in several operational theatres across the country, where they are performing creditably in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations as well as in effectively providing Military Aid to Civil Authorities in furtherance to our national security objectives.”
He then assured that the NAF under the leadership of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, will continue to invest in capacity building drives aimed at generating combat forces capable of securing national assets against all forms of threats, both internal and external.
Speaking further, AVM Jolasinmi implored the graduands to put all that they have learnt during the course to maximum use in a bid to safeguard lives and properties as they discharge their responsibilities.
“Through your perseverance, discipline and determination, you have been found worthy in character and learning to graduate and I am confident that you are now more grounded and have imbibed the attributes of military professionalism which include absolute loyalty, discipline, integrity, physical fitness, motivation, decisiveness, teamwork and courage, amongst others,” he said.
The AOC also reminded them of the fluidity and uncertainty of the current security environment and urged them to remain strong, disciplined and courageous in all their conducts.
He also reminded them of their core duty, which is to protect all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic background or religious inclination, and expressed confidence that with continued commitment and sustained efforts by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Country will soon overcome all threats to its peace and security.
Earlier, the Commandant RTC, Air Commodore Jeff Ekwuribe, stated that the trainees were tutored towards developing their staff duty capabilities, analytical and communication skills.
He further revealed that they were also exposed to weapon handling, drill, general service knowledge and kinetic and non-kinetic warfare techniques.
Highlight of the ceremony included the presentation of award to those who distinguished themselves during the course.