The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Friday, distributed palliatives to three communities in Igabi Local Government area of Kaduna State.
SEE ALSO: COVID-19: NARD Commends Members, Promises Better Welfare
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three communities that benefited from the palliatives were Barakallahu, Kauya and Kirama.
NAN also reports that while 100 households each benefitted from the palliatives in Kauya and Barakallahu, 50 households benefitted in Kirama.
Among the items distributed to the 250 communities were rice, noodles, spaghetti, groundnut oil and yam, among others.
The Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Training Command, AVM. Musa Muhktar, while speaking at the distribution in Barakallahu village, said the exercise was part of activities marking NAF’s 56th anniversary.
Mukhtar said that the Chief of Air Staff had approved that palliative measures be given by all its command headquarters to neighbouring communities within their respective areas of responsibility.
“Accordingly, we are here at Kauya to fulfill this mission.
“This occasion testifies to the long standing relationship which exists between the Nigerian Air Force and its host community,” the AOC said.
He noted that NAF had the interest of its neighbours at heart, hence the distribution of the items at this period of the COVID-19 global pandemic outbreak.
“This calls for a sober reflection among all citizens in the promotion of love, good neighbourliness and reaching out to the less-privileged.
“The need for us to stay safe through the promotion of personal hygiene, social distancing and observance of all precautionary measures is, therefore, paramount.
Mukhtar expressed appreciation to all the dignitaries who made it to the occasion, urging them to take a cue from the event.
“On our part, we will continue to support community development-oriented programmes in Kaduna state.
“I want to thank all the elders of the communities and beneficiaries of the NAF palliatives here present for giving us the opportunity to render our assistance, to assuage the hardship being experienced by our people at this crucial time,” he said.
The AOC lauded the Chief of Air Staff for endorsing such a laudable exercise and the Kaduna State government for providing an enabling environment for NAF to operate, while also thanking the Federal Government for supporting the service in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
NAN reports that the Commandant, Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety (NAFIS), AVM Emmanuel Chukwu, inaugurated the distribution of the palliatives in Kauya and Kirama communities.
The district head of Ragachikun, Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Sani and his Sarkin Afaka counterpart, Yusuf Salisu, commended NAF for the gesture, especially at this period of the global pandemic and pledged their continued support to the organisation.