Newly-appointed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, on Thursday, assumed office as the 22nd air chief as Air Marshal Oladayo Amao bowed out of the service.
Until his appointment, the new CAS was the Chief of Standards and Evaluation at Air Force Headquarters.
In his maiden speech, Abubakar appreciated the Almighty God for the unique privilege to lead the Nigerian Air Force at this crucial time in the life of the nation.
He said his appointment came at a time that the expectations of Nigerians towards accelerated actualisation of peace and security was high.
Abubakar said NAF under his command would reinvigorate the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and a host of other challenges bedeviling the country.
He promised to sustain the cooperation and joint efforts that existed between the air force and sister services during the tenure of the outgoing service chiefs, adding that it was responsible for the successes achieved in the various theatres of operations.
“In conjunction with my colleagues, we will uphold these attributes in line with Mr President’s directive issued during the maiden National Security Council meeting.
“We shall also begin to make additional efforts and evolve measures and approaches that will continue to diminish our challenges and enhance the disposition of our various theatres of operations,” he said.
The new CAS congratulated his predecessor for his achievements and distinguished career in the military and pledged to continue to build on his legacies, as well as do more to move NAF to higher heights.
He thanked the President and Commander in Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for the honour and privilege he gave him to serve as the air chief.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao, expressed appreciation to God for the opportunity to serve the nation and lead the air force, describing it as a special privilege.
Amao said that NAF was able to attain greater heights in line with his vision for the service with recorded successes in key areas.
The areas according to him include doctrinal development, air operations, human capacity development, fleet enhancement, establishment of new units, and directorates.
Others include logistics support, system research and development, personnel management, and safety standards.
He said the capacity of NAF to conduct air operations across the full spectrum of air power employment and interdictions had significantly improved.
According to him, the Nigerian effort is now able to expeditiously conduct simultaneous combat operations, night operations, and precision strikes.
He urged the new CAS to ensure optimal operational capacity of the air force to sustain and surpass the ongoing efforts at eradicating insurgencies, terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the country.
Amao commended the support of the Federal Government in the development of capacity of personnel, which enhanced their efficiency and effectiveness.
He also appreciated the government for the acquisition of new platforms and several other major support equipment.
“These platforms include the 829 Super Tucano, Diamond 62 Surveillance aircraft, Winglet 2CH3 Unmanned Combat Aerial vehicles, and the CH4 Unmanned Combat Aerial vehicle.
“Additional platforms such as Beefcraft A360 aircraft and Diamond 62 aircraft, as well as T1229 attack aircraft and the Booster 109 Trica Montoro aircraft as well as M346 attack aircraft, are expected to further enhance Nigerian Air Force air power employment and projection capabilities.
“In the areas of human capacity development, NAF has in the last two years trained and retrained personnel for professional and operational effectiveness.
“For instance, the Nigerian Air Force conducted training for a total of 7,424 personnel out of which 5,945 were trained locally and 1,140 were trained overseas.
“This number is also inclusive of the 429 pilots and 203 UAV operators. These efforts in particular reduced the acute shortage of combat pilots that we used to have in the past,” he said.
Amao expressed confidence that the new chief would lead NAF effectively given his humility, excellent career, leadership qualities, wealth of experience, and outstanding accomplishments in previous appointments.
He said the new CAS was part of the successes recorded when he served as the Air Officer Commanding Logistic Command and Chief of Standards and Evaluation, where he contributed to the improved safety records that NAF currently has.
“Today, I want to commend your loyalty and dedication to duty. I, therefore, urge you to put in your very best to consolidate on the various achievements to further propel the NAF to greater heights.
“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate all officers and airmen and airwomen, as well as the civilian staff, for their dutifulness, discipline, and cooperation accorded me during my tenure as the Chief of the Air Staff,” he added.