The Nigerian Air Force has stated that it anticipates receiving brand-new fighter jets in the first quarter of 2023.l
At the graduation ceremony for 831 airmen and airwomen from the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management and Regiment Training Centre on Friday at the Shittu Aloa Auditorium of the Airforce Base in Kaduna, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, announced as much.
The CAS represented by NAF’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshall Jackson Yusuf, thanked Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the President, for his continuous support of the NAF.
Amao stated that the NAF will keep funding capacity building efforts in order to develop a combat force that would be useful in fending off all kinds of internal and external threats.
He continued by saying that the force was reviving its air power capabilities through the adoption of new platforms and procedures in response to the nation’s shifting security landscape.
By respecting the ideals, ethics, and ethos of the Services, he urged the graduates to be worthy representatives of both the Nigerian Air Force and the National Intelligence Agency.
In his words, “I want to thank the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Air Force while reiterating our unalloyed loyalty to Mr President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We will continue to invest in capacity-building drives; aimed at generating combat forces capable of securing our national assets against all forms of internal and external threats.
“I am particularly delighted that this large number of personnel will be added to the pool of skilled manpower that will be available to commanders in the field to execute their various tasks.
“This achievement, alongside many other remarkable accomplishments we have witnessed this year, is consistent with the paradigm of continually pursuing purposeful training and human capacity development of all Nigerian Air Force personnel, which is a key driver of my Vision for the Nigerian Air Force.
“I implore you not to relent in your efforts, whilst remaining assured that Headquarters Nigerian Air Force will continue to support you to sustain your training efforts.”
Prior to the graduation, Air Vice Marshall Ibikunle Daramola, Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, noted that the men were now better prepared to operate in the context of the fluid combat area where insurgents and bandits operate.
The security of our bases and air assets, he continued, “are essential to the projection of air power in present and future operations.”
A total of 831 persons, including 27 employees of the National Intelligence Agency, 791 airmen and women, and 13 NAF officers, successfully finished their respective courses.
