The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has charged the military to review strategies, techniques, tactics and procedures to contain security threats across the country.
He stated this in Abuja during the decoration of 38 newly promoted Nigeria Air Force (NAF) senior officers with new ranks of Air Vice Marshal (AVM) and Air Commodores.
Badaru represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said the Nigerian military and the nation were experiencing challenging times, therefore, the government and the citizens will expect “nothing short of professionalism and the best efforts with commensurate outputs on the part of the military.”
“We must, therefore, review our strategies, techniques, tactics and procedures to contain these challenges and assure our fellow citizens of their security and safety,” he said.
He also tasked them to use all the knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and critical thinking capabilities they have gathered over the years to move the Nigerian Air Force to higher heights and foster a peaceful and greater Nigeria.
He said, “Let me reiterate that promotion comes with greater expectations and responsibilities. Therefore, while the fanfare and jubilations continue, do not lose sight of the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and all other forms of criminality. Invariably, your mandate as Generals is to successfully execute all such operations necessary to preserve national security and territorial integrity. Hence, it is expected that with your elevation to the ranks of Air Commodore and Air Vice Marshal, you will redouble your efforts to discharge your duties so we can quickly end all security threats to our dear Nation”.
He said the federal government remains committed to supporting the Nigerian military in general and the Nigerian Air Force in particular.
“The Government is poised to provide the Armed Forces as well as other security agencies with the necessary resources to ensure a peaceful, safe and prosperous nation,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the service cannot afford to fail Nigerians.
Abubakar said their promotion is in recognition of hard work, commitment and diligence, adding that it also places added responsibilities on them, “especially as our country is faced with current and emerging security challenges associated with an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment.”
He added, “Having been recognized by this elevation and bearing in mind the enormous investment in your training and exposures, you all must put on your thinking caps and chart workable strategies in our quest to, “transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the air power demands of national security in all operational environments.”
The Air Chief further charged them to continue to display exceptional integrity, selfless service and commitment to excellence, “which would ensure that the Nigerian Air Force records outstanding results in every area of competence and translates to successes in the various theatres of operation with resultant improved security for our people across the country.
“You must remember that we cannot afford to fall short of the expectations of all Nigerians. I therefore urge you to remember that failure should never be an option so long as your determination to succeed remains strong”.
LEADERSHIP reports that 22 AVM and 16 Air Cdres were decorated with new ranks at the ceremony.
