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Air chief hosts defence attaches, seeks enhanced cooperation
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has solicited enhanced defence cooperation with the respective militaries of all allied countries in Nigeria.
Abubakar made the call when he hosted foreign Defence Attachés of allied countries accredited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the gathering of the military diplomats had showcased the profession of arms as not only a guardian of territorial integrity, but also bridge builder across geopolitical and strategic boundaries.
The CAS said the increasingly fragile global security landscape had brought to the fore, the indispensable role that military forces played in ensuring peace and stability in the world.
He added that the event underscored the long-standing commitment of the countries to maintaining strong ties in the field of defence and security.
The event, according to him, offers him a unique opportunity to share his command philosophy with them and solicit their cooperation towards realising his vision for the Nigerian Air Force.
According to him, the NAF as an integral component of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has consistently played a pivotal role in regional stability in Africa, and the West African subregion in particular.
“The NAF’s role in tackling security challenges in concert with other security services, demands sustenance of a diverse range of credible air power capabilities.
“These capabilities are often products of innovations and advancements in technology developed beyond the shores of anyone country, hence the need for strong alliances orchestrated by Defence Attachés.
“As Defence Attachés representing the respective military services of your countries, you are charged with the task of developing and promoting the defence interests of your respective countries in Nigeria.
“It is thus pragmatic to pursue those interests within the context of NAF’s aspirations.
“By so doing you would easily sustain a synergistic and symbiotic relationship with us,” he said.
Abubakar said his command philosophy was, “To transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments.”
He enumerated five key enablers of his philosophy to include optimising force structure and establishment for enhanced operational effectiveness and deliberate training and mission-oriented force development.
The third key enabler, he said, was proactive logistics support and strong maintenance culture, while the fourth is prioritising research and development leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships and lessons learnt.
The fifth according to him is maintaining a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal.
The air chief said he considered Defence Attachés and Advisers as crucial players in translating his vision into reality by promoting collaboration, and mutual growth between the NAF and their respective militaries.
He said the NAF was ready to partner with friendly military forces on international defence and security and expressed willingness to extend similar assistance to allied partners in any identified area of NAF’s defence interest.
He thanked the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) and his team for making the meeting possible, adding that it was an opportunity to strengthen relationship and deepen defence cooperation with all allied countries.
NEWS
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
NEWS
Corps Member Donates Delivery Kits to Pregnant Women in Katsina
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
NEWS
FUSHO Ag VC Promises Collaboration with Lydia Memorial Hospital
By David Torough, Abuja
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah has promised a stronger collaboration with the Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo for better health services to the people.
Prof. Abah stated this when he received a team of management of the hospital led by the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo on Thursday in his office on a courtesy visit.The Vice Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude and thanked the management of the hospital for the visit and described the CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Ogbodo as a long time friend who has a quest for excellence.
On his part, Dr Mark Ogbodo, who is a FUHSO Ambassador and the Immediate Past Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association, Benue State Branch as well as the Immediate Past Secretary of the Association of the Nigerian Authors, Benue State Chapter said that the visit was to congratulate Prof.
Abah on his recent well deserved feat as the FUSHO Acting Vice Chancellor.Dr. Ogbodo who described Prof. Abah as a great achiever and mentor to many and whose achievements are commendable, presented to him, on behalf of the Hospital, an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to academic and medical excellence in Nigeria, examplary leadership prowess and in appreciation of his countless courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital.
He added that the Hospital’s vision is to ensure a complete state of well-being of patients and promote healthy medical practices in all forms with the mission to provide affordable and easily accessible excellent healthcare services through God’s gifted hands in the purest forms is also poised to deliver the best healthcare services to the people.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the University’s Bursar, Librarian, Registrar and other members of the university management.