NAF Appoints Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa as New DOPRI; As AVM Gabkwet Redeploys to Civil-Military Affairs.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has approved the appointment of Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa as the new Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The CAS also approved the redeployment of the erstwhile DOPRI, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, to the newly established NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch as Director of Coordination and Cooperation.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations Group Captain Kabiru Ali said, “This strategic realignment is part of the NAF’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its public and community engagement functions, while also ensuring a more robust and effective interface with the general public and stakeholders.

“As the new Spokesperson, Air Commodore Akinboyewa is expected to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor by overseeing NAF’s media engagements, strategic communications, and information dissemination, while building perception, maintaining transparency and further enhancing public trust and confidence.

Air Commodore Akinboyewa hails from Ondo West Local Government Area in Ondo State.

A member of the 43rd Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the NDA, a Postgraduate Diploma in Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and a Masters Degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the NDA.

Throughout his career, he has held numerous key command and staff appointments and attended various courses both locally and internationally.

He is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Defence College Nigeria and an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Speaking while assuming office, Air Commodore Akinboyewa expressde profound gratitude to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar for the confidence reeposed in him to entrust him with the very great responsibility of managing the image and reputation of a great service such as the Nigerian Air Force.

Air Commodore Akinboyewa added that the daunting responsibility and the importance of the office is not lost on him, but he trust that by the grace of God and with the guidance of the Chief of the Air Staff and his senior colleagues, he will make the best of it.

He described the former Director of Public Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, his mentor and friend adding, “He has done such an outstanding job of projecting the Nigerian Air Force and continuing to make sure that the public is kept aware of all the efforts that go into ensuring that Nigerians are safe to go about their lawful business.

He said, “It’s important to also mention that the successes that he has recorded would not have been possible if not for the support and the synergy that we enjoy from our partners, the media, your good selves.

“Without your support, without your cooperation, the successes would not have been possible and so I want to use this opportunity to solicit that that same support, that same partnership, that same synergy should continue. I am very open to your input, to your advice. You can reach me at whatever time of the day or night.

He therefore solicited support from the media, stressing that the key thing that we need to note is that we are firm partners when it comes to securing this country and protecting the people.

“The armed forces of Nigeria and in particular the Nigerian Air Force and the media must maintain a very strong, a very firm, a very robust synergy because without that synergy the goals that we share of making Nigeria a peaceful, prosperous and safe place for our people cannot be achieved.

“And so again I want to reiterate my call for your support and for your friendship and I want to encourage you to not hesitate to give us feedback, to give us your input and to keep close contact with us as we do the work of keeping Nigeria safe and secure. I look forward to continuing the relationship that has been built over the years by my able predecessor.