The Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has urged graduates of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air War Course 10/2024 to employ innovative and proactive methods in combating complex security threats.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni at the graduation ceremony held at the Air Force War College (AFWC), Markurdi, the Minister emphasized the critical role of operational-level military leadership in addressing the threats posed by violent non-state actors and asymmetric warfare.
Badaru underscored the significance of effective military leadership in the various theatres of operations across the country and expressed confidence in the graduands’ ability to uphold the high standards of the Nigerian military and serve as ambassadors of professionalism.
He acknowledged the NAF’s significant contributions to internal security and international missions, including airlift and humanitarian support and assured that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, remains committed to providing the NAF with necessary resources to tackle security challenges.
The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone in the NAF’s efforts to build a formidable force equipped to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
In his remarks at the Ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, urged the graduates to apply the skills acquired during the Course to further strengthen Nigeria’s defence strategies, and commended the AFWC Faculty for their dedication.
In his remarks at the Ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, urged the graduates to apply the skills acquired during the Course to further strengthen Nigeria’s defence strategies, and commended the AFWC Faculty for their dedication.
He acknowledged the rising profile of AFWC as a regional hub of excellence in Professional Military Education, as evidenced by the growing international subscription to the College.
The CAS also used the opportunity to stress NAF’s commitment to enhancing airpower capabilities to more effectively address the country’s evolving security challenges. He highlighted recent advancements in equipment acquisition, including the delivery of 12 new aircraft and upcoming additions to the fleet, such as fighter jets and helicopters, which will bolster ongoing operations against insurgents and other security threats.
Air Marshal Abubakar also reiterated the importance of joint operations, recognizing the synergy between the Armed Forces and other security agencies that has resulted in the recent notable operational successes against terrorist groups.
The CAS specially appreciated the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for its continued investment in enhancing the capabilities of the NAF.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commandant of the AFWC, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Adebayo Kehinde, expressed his gratitude to the representative of the HMOD and other distinguished guests for attending the Ceremony.
He extended special thanks to the CAS for fostering an enabling environment under his leadership. AVM Kehinde highlighted the comprehensive training offered at the AFWC, emphasizing its focus on Operational Art, Critical Thinking, and Strategic Decision-making.
He stressed that these skills are crucial for the Nigerian military’s efforts to safeguard the nation. He also encouraged the graduates to leverage their newly acquired knowledge to address the country’s evolving security challenges, particularly in the realm of asymmetric warfare.
The Graduation Ceremony of AWC 10, which had, amongst its 26 participants, 2 from Cameroon and 1 from Ghana, marked another milestone in the NAF’s efforts to build a formidable force equipped to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.