The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, on Wednesday reaffirmed the unwavering dedication of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to national security and vowed that the Service would relentlessly hunt down and eliminate all threats to the nation’s peace.
Air Marshal Abubakar gave the assurance in Abuja while speaking at the NAF Administration and Personnel Management Seminar.
The CAS declared that the NAF’s effective employment of airpower would extend the long arm of the law, bringing justice to criminals hiding in ungoverned spaces.
He emphasized that ongoing air operations against criminal elements demonstrated the Air Force’s resolve to protect innocent lives and restore peace across the nation.
According to him, “We will find, fix, and strike all those who take arms against the State, and we will not relent until Nigeria is safe for all.”
He stated that sound administration and personnel management were essential for the success of military operations.
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He highlighted the seminar’s theme, “Optimizing Contemporary Human Resource Techniques to Enhance Ongoing Transformation Initiatives of the NAF,” as crucial in aligning human resource practices with the evolving security landscape.
Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that under his leadership, the NAF had significantly expanded investment in modernized Human Resource Management (HRM), digitized record-keeping, and enhanced training programs.
He also outlined significant improvements in personnel welfare, including better medical facilities, expanded accommodation, and improved insurance policies.
Notably, he mentioned that over 2,972 personnel had benefited from new or renovated housing, reflecting the NAF’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its officers, airmen, and airwomen.
Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that 601 personnel of the Admin Branch had undergone specialized training since he assumed office.
He pointed out that the training, conducted at the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management (NAFIAM), aimed to enhance leadership and management skills across all ranks.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of the Nigerian Air Force, as well as to retired officers and distinguished guests whose insights would enrich discussions at the seminar.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, highlighted the seminar’s importance in addressing emerging manpower requirements amidst recent structural transformations within the NAF.
He noted that the recent establishment of the NAF Transformation & Innovation and Civil-Military Relations Branches, as well as the Directorates of Peace Support Operations, Airworthiness & Certification, Lands Administration, and Project Monitoring, necessitated a shift from traditional skills to more specialized expertise.
He expressed gratitude to the CAS for his unwavering support for administrative reforms and extended appreciation to participants, including distinguished resource persons, for their expected contributions to advancing HRM within the NAF.
Participants at the seminar included the Director General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, the President and Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, and other seasoned NAF personnel administrators, both serving and retired.
As deliberations unfold, the two-day event is expected to provide actionable strategies to refine NAF HRM practices, ensuring that the Service remains at the forefront of national security efforts with a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
