A total of 30 Air Forces, 10 Chiefs of Air Staff, 40 defence and aerospace exhibitors, and over 2,000 participants are expected to grace the Third African Air Forces Forum in Abuja.
The conference coming up on May 23 and 24, 2024, is part of the lined up activities to mark the Nigerian Air Force’s 60th anniversary with the theme “Nigerian Air Force at 60: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships in Aerospace Innovations for Regional Security.”
The chairman of the organising committee, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Michael Ekwueme told journalists in Abuja that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be the special guest of honour at the occasion.
Ekwueme stated that the diamond jubilee anniversary was a moment for deep reflection on the service’s accomplishments, challenges and charting the way forward.
He said, “Throughout our rich history, the NAF has overcome numerous obstacles, adapted to evolving threats, and subsequently emerged stronger and more resilient”.
AVM Ekwueme said the 60th anniversary celebration will also feature a ceremonial parade, aerial display, and flying out of retired senior officers of 37 and 38 Regular Courses on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
He said, “We are expecting over 2,000 participants at the conference and exhibition, over 30 air forces and 10 chiefs of air staff, 40 exhibitors including major defence and aerospace players such as Airbus, Embraer, Diamond Aircraft, HAVELSAN, Jet Aviation, and of course our own DICON.”
Ekwueme said due to prevailing economic challenges the service has for the first time adopted a Public Private Partnership (PPP)model to mark the anniversary to cut costs.
In his remarks, the director of public relations and information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet said the NAF is expecting 48 more aircraft which when delivered would become a game changer.
He said the 48 aircraft when inducted into the service’s order of battle inventory will boost its capacity to effectively cover all parts of the country.
“We are expecting delivery of 48 new aircraft. If you talk of strength and numbers, a lot is going to change, if we spread all these aircraft across the country a lot is going to change. The effect and impact will be felt across the country. So, moving forward you are going to see more changes, you are going to see a much more formidable NAF that can cover the whole country. All those ungoverned spaces that criminals have continued to take advantage of,” he said.
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