The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has commended the formidable air power displayed by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as a pivotal element of combat strength, essential for safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Dr. Badaru also acknowledged the NAF’s significant contributions, including airlift and humanitarian aid, to international organizations such as the United Nations, African Union, and friendly African nations.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour on September 19, 2023, at the Air War College (AWC) Course 9/2023 graduation ceremony in Makurdi, Benue State, the Minister, represented by General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, highlighted the NAF’s emphasis on operational art, critical thinking, and practical military decision-making in the AWC’s curriculum.
He emphasized the importance of proactive operational planning and management for national security and socio-economic development. Dr. Badaru also commended NAF personnel for their significant contributions to ongoing joint operations, especially in counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism efforts.
Additionally, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father (Dr.) Hyacinth Alia, praised the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in restoring peace in the country and expressed gratitude to the NAF for maintaining peace and security in Benue State.
He emphasized that the NAF’s presence in Makurdi provided a sense of security and reassurance to the people of Benue State.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), highlighted the importance of human capacity development in fulfilling the NAF’s constitutional mandate.
He announced upcoming platform additions to enhance training, air power utilization, and projection, including various helicopters, surveillance aircraft, and attack aircraft.
These acquisitions reflected the government’s commitment to equipping the NAF for effective security operations. The CAS acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in equipment procurement and training.
CAS also underscored the role of institutions like the AWC in promoting jointness and synergy in ongoing operations. He emphasized the necessity of joint force employment in contemporary military operations and called for efforts to eliminate impediments to jointness among the armed forces.
CAS commended the AWC’s focus on critical thinking, operational planning, net assessment, and future studies, which attracted participants from other services and friendly nations.
Air Vice Marshal Abayomi Kehinde, the College Commandant, highlighted the harmonization of the curricula of the AWC, Army War College, and Naval War College by the Defence Headquarters to promote jointness.
He noted that participants from these colleges annually conducted joint operational planning exercises, fostering inter-service synergy, collaboration, and interoperability within the AFN. Kehinde expressed confidence that exposure to joint operations planning and execution would enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of unified and multi-agency approaches to warfare, crisis management, and conflict resolution.
The graduation ceremony featured 15 participants, including a Cameroonian officer, two Nigerian Army officers, and two Naval officers, demonstrating the AWC’s tri-Service and multinational character.