By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards effectively meeting the airpower demands of Nigeria’s national security in all operational environments, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has paid a working visit to NAF Base Bauchi.
During the visit, the CAS inspected ongoing infrastructural developments and reiterated their importance as vital enablers in advancing the NAF’s transformation.
Interacting directly with NAF personnel, the CAS addressed their concerns and offered practical solutions to further enhance operational efficiency.
These actions, according to a statement by Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, Director Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), speak to the CAS broader strategic vision to ensure that all NAF units are optimally prepared to meet emerging security challenges.
The CAS commended the significant infrastructural progress at NAF Base Bauchi, particularly in enhancing personnel welfare and providing a conducive working environment. He reiterated that,
“Our ability to meet national security challenges depends on maintaining a highly motivated and focused force, which is why welfare and infrastructural renewal are top priorities.”
Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the need for continuous improvement in the maintenance of air assets, noting that a solid maintenance culture is essential for sustaining air operations in all environments.
The visit to Bauchi also afforded the CAS an opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of facilities at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Centre for Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (CSTED), Tafawa Balewa.
The CSTED is integral to consultations on strategic partnership between the NAF and ATBU, for optimisation of technical human capacity development as well as Research and Development (R&D) for the NAF.
The assessment of facilities at CSTED was conducted alongside the Vice Chancelor ATBU, Professor Sani Usman Kunya and other key staff of the University, with Honourable Barrister Jafaru Gambo Leko, Member of the House of Representatives representing the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Constituency, also present.
The strategic partnership for optimising the CSTED facilities is in consonance with the second and fourth key enablers of the CAS Command Philosophy, which hinge on deliberate training and mission-oriented force development as well as optimisation of R&D leveraging cutting-edge technologies, strategic partnerships and lessons learnt.
