By Sleeknews
The Minister of Defence Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has tasked air ranks and equivalent in the Nigerian armed forces to redouble efforts in the discharge of their duties and quickly end all security threats confronting the nation.
Abubakar gave the task on Friday at a ceremony where 22 Air Commodores promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal and 16 Group Captains elevated to the rank of Air Commodore were decorated with their new ranks.
The Minister noted that the nation is passing through challenging times Therefore, the government and the good people of Nigeria will expect nothing short of professionalism and the best efforts with commensurate outputs on the part of the military.
“We must, therefore, review our strategies, techniques, tactics and procedures to contain these challenges and assure our fellow citizens of their security and safety.”
Abubakar said that their promotion comes with greater expectations and responsibilities. “Therefore, while the fanfare and jubilations continue, do not lose sight of the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and all other forms of criminality.”
“Invariably, your mandate as Generals is to successfully execute all such operations necessary to preserve national security and territorial integrity. Hence, it is expected that with your upliftment to the ranks of Air Commodore and Air Vice Marshal, you will redouble your efforts to discharge your duties so we can quickly end all security threats to our dear Nation.”
He said Tinubu administration is poised to provide the Armed Forces as well as other security agencies with the necessary resources to ensure a peaceful, safe and prosperous Nation.
The Minister further charged the officers of air rank in the Services to lead from a more holistic and strategic perspective, having garnered experience and an enormous amount of training.
“The Service and indeed, the entire Nation rely on you to utilize all the knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and critical thinking capabilities you have gathered over the years to move the Nigerian Air Force to higher heights and foster a peaceful and greater Nigeria.
In his remark, the Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar said promotion was granted in recognition of hard work, commitment and diligence and it “also places added responsibilities on those so recognized especially as our country is faced with current and emerging security challenges associated with an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment.”
He said that with enormous investment in their training and exposures, they must put on their thinking caps and chart workable strategies in the quest to, “transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the air power demands of national security in all operational environments.”
They must ensure that the Nigerian Air Force records outstanding results in every area of competence and translate to successes in the various theatres of operation with resultant improved security for our people across the country.
“You must remember that we cannot afford to fall short of the expectations of all Nigerians. I therefore urge you to remember that failure should never be an option so long as your determination to succeed remains strong,” CAS charges the officers.