The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has stated that terminal promotions in the military are reserved for those whose contributions to the growth and development of the Services are truly exceptional.
He stated this recently while decorating Air Vice Marshal Amos Bulus with his new rank. According to the CAS, decorating the senior officer goes beyond adding another stripe to his shoulder, as it also serves to recognize a career that has been marked by excellence and a commitment to progress.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force .
CAS said that, “this promotion is about acknowledging the countless hours of work, the challenges faced, and the unwavering dedication to the betterment of our Air Force.”
Air Marshal Abubakar further eulogized the senior officer, stating that he has demonstrated, through his pioneering initiatives, that he is more than deserving of this honour as his efforts have had a lasting impact on NAF operations and will continue to influence the way NAF conducts its affairs for years to come.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that Air Vice Marshal Bulus has distinguished himself as a pioneer in various aspects. Consequently, as the Pioneer Director of Information Technology within the Nigerian Air Force, he broke new ground by implementing the first-ever NAF-operated and managed online recruitment and enlistment platform.
This initiative, the CAS continued, revolutionized NAF recruitment processes, ensuring a more efficient, transparent, and accessible system that has become a model within the Armed Forces and beyond. The CAS further commended the senior officer for his continued commitment to push the boundaries of innovation by becoming the pioneer NAF Director of Information Technology responsible for designing the architecture of the NAF electronic document management and paperless system.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration (COA), Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani noted that the record and performance of AVM Bulus were reviewed in relation to his contributions to the overall NAF Mission objectives and on the basis of this recommendation, the Air Force Council on 24 June 2024 approved his terminal promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal with effect from 2 August 2024.
The COA further disclosed that the special promotion was well-deserved and a clear indication of the NAF’s readiness, under the able leadership of Air Marshal Abubakar, to recognize and honour the commitment and achievements of its personnel.
The decoration ceremony was in line with the commitment of the CAS to encourage and motivate personnel who exhibit unequaled dedication and loyalty to the Service.
AVM Bulus who will also commence his retirement from the NAF immediately, was decorated with his new rank by the CAS in the presence of his family, friends and colleagues. The promotion of the senior officer, conducted outside the typical promotion timeline, showcased his profound contributions to both the NAF and the nation.