The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has stated that as a Service subservient to the political class, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) state of readiness and preparedness remains paramount and must never be in doubt.
This, according to him, was in line with NAF’s constitutional responsibility to be ready to perform tasks that may be assigned to it by Nigeria’s political leaders.
Air Marshal Abubakar stated this at his maiden meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding and NAF operational commanders held on Thursday August 10, 2023 at NAF Headquarters Abuja.
He however warned that even as the Service remains in the state of readiness, personnel must continue to remain apolitical, patriotic and conduct themselves in the most professional and disciplined manner.
The CAS had earlier described the contemporary operating environment within the shores of Nigeria and across the West African sub-Region as diffuse and complex, with consequences on the political climate of the entire Region.
Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar had commended NAF operational commanders for their commitment in tackling the current security challenges facing the Nation.
According to him, “I am particularly glad about the recent heightened level of air operations across all our joint operations theatres which has seen us record tremendous outcomes.”
He however observed that while so much has been achieved, a lot still needed to be done to ensure the NAF fully attained its set objectives.
Abubakar then implored the commanders to ensure they utilize the opportunity of the meeting to interact frankly and objectively while proffering solutions and strategies that will translate to actionable consequences on the ground.