In line with activities airmarked for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 60th anniversary celebration, special inter-denominational church services were held on Sunday, 19 May 2024, across NAF units nationwide.
In Abuja, the commemorative service was held at the St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Bill Clinton Drive, NAF Base, Abuja.
The church service, which attracted a large turnout of Christian faithful including NAF personnel, was held to appreciate God for His mercies over the NAF and for all the numerous successes the service has continued to record in all its operations in spite of contemporary challenges.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, stated that the NAF had every reason to be grateful to God, based on its significant contributions to national security in the last 60 years.
The CAS also noted that the 60th anniversary celebration presents a unique opportunity for personnel not only to celebrate but also reflect on the need to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the nation is secured and conducive for all citizens to carry out their legitimate businesses.
Air Marshal Abubakar then assured NAF personnel that his administration would continue to work assidiously to ensure that they have the required equipment and resources to discharge their duties effectively.
He then reminded them of the need to continually add value to the service for effective and efficient service delivery towards enhancing national security.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that the NAF had witnessed tremendous growth in terms of human capacity development, personnel welfare, serviceable platforms, robust logistics support and expansion, amongst others, to meet the demands of national security.
In his sermon, the Chaplain of the NAF Protestant Church, Abuja, Air Cdre (Rev Dr) Dogo Gani implored all Nigerians to return to the path of God in order to get it right, stating that there was no difficulty or problem that God could not solve.
“We shall overcome the challenges facing the nation if we return back to God,” the chaplain said.
The NAF, he noted, remains one of the key components of Nigeria’s national security, whose role can not be overemphasized.
According to him, the NAF had written its name in gold with great impact in restoring peace both within and outside the nation, noting that the greater impact is yet to come.
Intercessory prayers were later offered for the nation, the NAF leadership and personnel and those involved in the counterinsurgency operation and other internal security operations across the country as well as families of personnel who had paid the supreme price in the defence of the nation.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has underscored the importance of Research and Development in enhancing Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational effectiveness.
He also stressed that cultivating indigenous capacity to manufacture and service platforms is essential to surmounting some of the constraints experienced in aircraft maintenance.
Air Marshal Abubakar delivered these insights during the NAF Inter-Command Research and Development Competition, held on Friday, 18 May 2024, at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja as part of activities lined up in commemoration of NAF’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations.
Air Marshal Abubakar went down memory lane to recount a poignant moment in NAF’s history where, after acquiring 18 Jaguar aircraft in 1984, the entire fleet became grounded 7 years later with some having as little as 150 hours of total flight time majorly due to lack of spares or technical know-how.
He went further to lament a similar fate with the MiG 21 aircraft, procured in 1975 and later retired in the late 1980s, with flight hours ranging from 43hrs to 469hrs.
These premature retirements, he noted, underscored NAF’s struggle to sustain operations due to technical shortcomings, echoing challenges in maintaining aircraft weaponry and other critical equipment.
“This, once more,” declared the CAS, “highlights the indispensable role of Research and Development in NAF’s operations.”
The CAS then went on to highlight NAF’s distinction as a trailblazer in research and development endeavours saying, “With the production of the Tsaigumi UAV to pioneering advancements like rocket launchers, heat shields and weaponization of Alpha Jet aircraft, the NAF has consistently showcased its competence in Research and Development innovations.
“These achievements have ensured the readiness and deployment of NAF platforms and equipment across operational theaters.”
Recognizing the paramount importance of Research and Development, Air Marshal Abubakar, announced that he had approved the installation of 8 diverse CNC machines at the Air Force Force Research and Development Centre in Osogbo.
He also added that the NAF was on the verge of signing a technology transfer agreement with a company in Europe for the production of the 57mm rocket armament.
According to him, “These endeavors epitomize our commitment to prioritizing Research and Development, leveraging state-of-the-art technology, strategic partnerships, and lessons learned, in alignment with my command philosophy.”
