The Minister of Defence, retired Major.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, has said increased level of successes by the Armed Forces was made possible by the level of synergy and cooperation among the services.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Gabkwet, Magashi stated this while declaring open, the NAF Day Anniversary Celebration 2022 Seminar held at the NAF Base, Kano.
The minister said that the theme of the seminar, ‘Enhancing NAF’s Operational Efficiency in Joint Operations for Effective Response to Contemporary National Security Imperatives’ was apt, as it would address operational challenges being experienced in the field.
This, Magashi said, particularly in the areas of air to ground integration and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) optimisation in the theatres of operations.
“This is why I believe that this seminar could not have come at a better time as it will facilitate better use of airpower in the joint employment of our armed forces.”
The minister, however, stated that in spite of its limitations, NAF since its inception had commendably carried out the core functions of protecting Nigeria’s air space and providing support to surface forces.
He added that the service had always displayed the highest level of professionalism and shown great resourcefulness in the areas of manpower management, Research and Development as well as in air operations execution.
Magashi also reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration to revamp the fortunes of NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general.
‘Today, the fleets of the service have been reinforced with several platforms which has improved its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as well as attack capabilities and extended the reach of the AFN.”
He therefore called on NAF and the AFN in general to renew their commitment and determination to play their part in addressing the security challenges threatening the peace and progress of the country.
Magashi, however, added that the seminar stood out among other activities lined up for the celebration as the deliberations were expected to produce tangible strategies going forward in NAF operations.
He expressed confidence that the discourse would spur better ideas for NAF to be more effective in the discharge of its responsibilities.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said that since assuming office, the President had fully supported the armed forces in general and NAF in particular.
This, he said was to enable them to achieve their set objectives of protecting the territorial integrity of the country against any external threats.
“The Federal Government has committed substantial national resources to enhance the overall capabilities of the armed forces in a bid to addressing the security challenges in various parts of the country.
“This has ameliorated equipment constraints experienced in previous years and the attendant implications of such constraints.
“But it has also spurred NAF personnel to be more committed to the decimation of subversive elements, who seek to undermine the peace, progress, unity and faith of Nigeria.”
Amao also stated that the theme of the seminar was timely as the seminar would enable NAF appraise its current efforts while further repositioning itself to continuously project air power to definitively meet its constitutional mandate.
Amao, however, recognised and appreciated the unflinching support of the President without which NAF’s achievements would have been unrealisable.
He also expressed deep appreciations to the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, for his continued support to the service in the state as well as the minister of defence for his support to NAF.(NAN)