By Augustine Ehikioya
It’s no longer news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar as the new Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
He stepped into the new shoes in June, 2023 as the 22nd CAS, having taken over from the immediate past CAS, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (Rtd.)
He was picked for the new position among other highly qualified officers in the Air Force.
His qualifications and past working experiences stood him out among the pack.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar, who hails from Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State, had an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the Nigerian Air Force and a wealth of versatile training and education.
He was a member of 39 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned as Pilot Officer in September 1992.
He commenced his Ab-initio and Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School, now 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna; Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses at the Nigerian Army Infantry Centre and School, Jaji; and Company Amphibious Operations Course at the Nigerian Army Infantry Centre and School, Calabar.
He also attended the Junior and Senior Command Staff Courses at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna State.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar is a qualified Aeromechanical Engineer having obtained a Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering from the Nigerian Air Force Technical Training Group (now Air Force Institute of Technology), Kaduna.
The senior officer, additionally holds a diploma in Aviation Safety Management from the Embry-Riddle University Aeronautics, Daytona Beach Florida and a Diploma in National Security and Country Resilience from the Galilee Institute, Nahalal, Israel.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from the Nigerian Defence Academy and Masters Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Diploma in French Language from the Benin Center for Foreign Languages in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar, additionally obtained a Diploma in Education Theory and Practice from the University of Jos and a Certificate in Personnel Administration and Management from Ground Training Group now Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management, Kaduna.
For his strategic military level training, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar attended the National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo, Egypt.
While in Cairo, he took special note of the strategies adopted by the Egyptian military to execute their counterterrorism efforts and their ability to influence and promote peaceful co-habitation with their contiguous neighbours.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar is also an Honour Roll graduate of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research Programme of Correspondence Instruction in Peace Keeping Operations.
In his years in service, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar has served in diverse roles cutting across Operational, Command, Staff and Policy and Strategic Leadership functions.
At the operational level, he was at various times the Officer Commanding ‘B’ Squadron (Donier-228 aircraft) and Commanding Officer Base Services Wing at 81 Air Maritime Group, Benin.
He also spent a large part of his career years at the 88 Military Airlift Group, (now 301 Heavy Airlift Group), Ikeja, where he held various appointments including Operations Officer, Operational Conversion Unit; Commanding Officer, 21 Wing and the Group Safety Officer.
In these roles, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar supervised and oversaw a synergistic deployment of various air power roles to effectively support air and land forces in sustaining stabilization operations across the various Theatres of Operation.
Internationally, he was at the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) as a Team Leader in Mahagi, Ituri Brigade and as Aviation Planning Officer, MONUC Air Operations Base in Kinshasa.
His Command experiences cover the spectrum from the tactical, through the operational to the strategic levels, endowing him with a holistic appreciation of the complexities of leading a fighting force.
In this regard, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar served as the Fleet Operation Officer and later as the Commander of the prestigious 011 Presidential Air Fleet, Abuja.
He was also privileged to serve in key capacities which enabled him to contribute significantly to the development of the NAF whilst acquiring unique perspectives and insights which have shaped his strategic thoughts.
At the Mobility Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for instance, he was the Chief of Staff and at various times the Director of Policy and Director of Operations, both at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja.
Heading these key directorates at a period of intense counterterrorism and counterinsurgency air operations in the country, no doubt, have instilled in him a deep appreciation of developmental imperatives and the strategic directive of NAF operations.
In the area of policy and strategic leadership, he has developed vital competencies in the course of his service as Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Ikeja, Lagos.
Most recently, until his appointment as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar was the Chief of Standards and Evaluation at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, a position which caters for the supervision and maintenance of safety standards in the Nigerian Air Force.
Apart from being a good listener, he is said to strongly believe in teamwork and giving his subordinates the opportunity to air their views on issues.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar is also a strong advocate of synergy and cooperation, which is a significant factor instrumental to the successes so far recorded in ongoing counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts.
Promising to uphold these operational attributes following Mr President’s directive, he is said to be fully poised to adopt additional air power measures and approaches that will continually diminish Nigeria’s security challenges and enhance the disposition of the various Theatres of Operation.
Some of his service decorations included the General Service Star, Distinguished Service Star and General Service Medal.
Besides enjoying the benefits of indigenous strategic leadership development trainings in notable institutions, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar has also taken the privilege to attend similar trainings at international institutions.
He is an alumnus of the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji-Nigeria and a Fellow of the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo in Egypt.
He is a member of the National Institute of Management, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management and Fellow Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria.
With over 4,500 flying hours under his belt, the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff is type-rated on the Air Beetle, Dornier -228, C-130 Hercules and the Boeing 737.
It is believed that Air Vice Marshal Abubakar’s fascinating background has fully prepared him for his new role as the 22nd CAS.
With the background and experiences over the years, peace-loving Nigerians can only hope that his tenure will take NAF to greater heights and yet to be attained levels.
He should be able to improve on what he has met on ground in terms of technology, facilities, staff welfare, and general wellbeing of the service.
Above all, the Nigerian Air Force, under him should not slack in fighting against terrorism, banditry and other threats to Nigeria, but synergizes with other security agencies to ensure peace and safety in the country.
