By Augustine Ehikioya
Breaking away from its stance in the past one year, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, has commended and given reasons why the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is accepting award from the Africa Security Watch Awards (ASWA).
The NAF, which has been nominated as the Most Outstanding Air Force in National Security in Africa in 2021/2022, is to receive the award in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in November during the 17th Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference organised by Security Watch Africa Initiatives (SWAI).
The Air Chief stressed that the NAF, under his leadership, has stayed away from awards from other organizations in order to avoid praises and adulations that may distract it from its constitutional role.
He spoke at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja, when the Security Watch Africa Initiatives(SWAI) team, led by its President / CEO, Mr. Patrick Agbambu, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
But for the Africa Security Watch Awards, he said, the organization is reputable, credible and has carved a niche for itself in unbiased reporting of security-related issues in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
He said “Let me also thank you and your Board for finding the Nigerian Air Force worthy of this award which I believe will serve as impetus for our personnel to continually give in their very best in our collective efforts towards maintaining peace, law and order in our country.
“This is the first award that we as a Service have accepted since I came on board as the 21st Chief of the Air Staff. The reason for this is simple:
“Despite several nominations by various organisations, we have continued to maintain that we must remain focused and not give in to praises and adulations while meeting our constitutional role of defending Nigeria’s airspace.
“The Nigerian Air Force have however decided to accept this award having observed that your organization, Security Watch Africa, is a reputable and credible organization which has over the years carved a niche for itself in unbiased reporting of security-related issues in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
“We have also decided to accept this award because we believe that Security Watch Africa strives to bridge the security information gap in Nigeria and Africa while ensuring that our people are on the cutting edge in contemporary security issues and solutions, bearing in mind that security and safety are everybody’s business,” he stated.
According to him, he aligns with SWA Initiatives’ vision for a security conscious Nigerian and African society and a security conscious government at all levels, among other reasons.
Noting that the present times in the country is perilous and uncertain, he called on all stakeholders in the security sector to rededicate their efforts towards ensuring that peace returns to the affected areas in the country.
He said that the Nigerian Air Force, over the years, has grown into a formidable and respected professional fighting force to be reckoned with in the African continent and beyond.
He added “It is also worthy to note that the Service has witnessed enhanced professionalism, unprecedented acquisition of new platforms, reactivation of grounded fleets, recruitment and capacity development of personnel in different aspects of air and ground operations.
“As an advocate of jointness, we have also seen an increased level of synergy between the NAF and other security agencies.
“I strongly believe in a whole-of-society approach to tackle the menace of insurgency and terrorism where everyone is involved including the media,” he said.
The Air Chief charged members of the 4th Estate of the Realm, as information managers and agenda setters critical to keeping the people informed, he urged them to set the right agenda for discussions and brainstorming by Nigerians.
He assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Air Force alongside other sister services and security agencies in the country, will remain “vigilant, focused and determined in ridding our Nation of all criminal elements.”
Speaking earlier, Mr. Agbambu, said one of the reasons the Nigerian Air Force is getting the award is because it has contributed immensely to the fight against insecurity in the past one year.
“The Nigerian Air Force has contributed to make Nigeria safer than what it would have been.
“The Nigerian Air Force has become a pride to Nigeria and a pride to Africa in the last one year due to the leadership direction of the Chief of Air Staff,” he stated.
On the Security Watch Africa Initiatives entourage included a Board Member of Trustees of SWA Initiatives, Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd), a member of International Awards Panel of Judges of ASWA, Chiemelie Ezeobi and Event Coordinator (Nigeria), Shully Daniels.