The Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun, has conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration on the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, for effectively steering the affairs of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Maigida Wapkwerem, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, Amao was among the four eminent personalities that received the award during the institution’s 12th convocation ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the institution, Prof. Hamidu Sanni, stated that the conferment of the honorary doctorate degree on Amao, was in recognition of his performance and achievements since assumption of office in 2021.
“We at Fountain University have followed with keen admiration, your leadership quality which motivated us to enter into partnership with the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna State, since 2021,” the VC said.
He described the CAS as a team leader whose vision for a motivated NAF is reflected in the series of innovative ideas.
“These are in areas of injection of a new spirit of service and dedication, improvement of human and infrastructural development, as well as the establishment of Directorate of Veterans, restoration of significant peace in the embattled North-East witnessed in NAF under your reign as CAS.“
He added that the proactive leadership style of the CAS in ensuring the re-armament of the service by the Federal Government had all been reflected in the successes recorded in theatres of operation across the country.
The VC added further that the CAS had also achieved a new level of excellence by injecting new vigour in running AFIT with which the institution already has actionable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“It was in consideration of the foregoing, and particularly, Amao’s recognition of service to protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria and his fatherland that the Senate approved that he be awarded a doctorate degree in Public Administration.”
In his remarks, the CAS expressed appreciation to the management of the institution for the award, describing the honour as a laudable gesture.
This, he said, was in recognition of the contributions of NAF to the unity, peace and progress of the country.
He said that the honour would inspire him towards a better administration of the service.
“It is heartwarming to me that our contributions to national security, to which I am very passionate about, resonated with the academia like the Fountain University,” he said.
Amao, however, said that the modest achievements of NAF had been consolidated in his vision as the 21th CAS,, adding that numerous administrative and operational successes have earned NAF both national and international accolades.
He added that these feats were achieved under his leadership by focusing on doctrinal development and application of airpower in joint military operations, as well as invigorating a purposeful training and human capacity development, “as well as sustained high serviceability rate of platforms and equipment through innovative maintenance and robust logistics support systems.
“They also include fostering workforce, improved combat readiness and bolstered morale by improving personnel welfare and engaging Nigerians, requisite organisation’s and the academia, like Fountain University in particular.
“This is in collaboration with the NAF through AFIT,“ he added.
The CAS, however, thanked Nigerians that have partnered with NAF to ensure that national security efforts yielded positive results.
Amao said that he had so far enjoyed the best of cooperation from Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, field commanders and Directors, describing them as dedicated team that have driven his vision for the NAF.
The CAS stated further that the officers have significantly contributed to the ongoing fight against terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.
He assured that NAF would continue to pay full allegiance to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria while continuing to perform its roles with dedication and discipline. (NAN)
