Defence Minister Scores NAF War College High In Military Operations

Minister of defence Muhammed Abubakar has said the contribution of the Air Force War College to human capacity development in the Armed Forces of Nigeria has led to the current successes recorded by the military in various theatres of operations across the nation.

Abubakar who stated this during the graduation ceremony of participants of the Air War College Course 9/2023 lamented that threats by non-state armed actors in asymmetric warfare are on the rise, creating a significantly more complex strategic environment at the global, regional and national levels.

This is even as the chief Of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar who commended the management and participants of War College, said their graduation marks a major milestone not only for participants but for NAF and the country at large, saying the training will help officers to meet the nation’s security challenges.

According to him, “The dynamic nature of these threats poses new challenges to security forces and they require innovative and proactive methods in tackling them because doctrinal development, operational planning and equipment provisioning must also consider the complexity of such threat.”

Represented by the chief of defence staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, the minister commended the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force for constantly repositioning itself with strong focus on human capital development to strengthen its operational effectiveness

He said, “Air power, as a decisive and indispensable aspect of the physical components of combat power, has remained a formidable force in the preservation of our Nation’s territorial integrity. Aside the efforts of the NAF towards enhancing internal security in the Country, the Service has also attracted tremendous goodwill and credibility to the country over the years through provision of airlift and humanitarian supports for the United Nations, African Union and friendly African countries.

“I am equally glad that the Nigerian Air Force has placed a premium on operational art as well as critical thinking in addition to other pragmatic frameworks for military decision-making processes in the curriculum of the Air Force War College. This, no doubt, will enhance the probability of success of operational plans and develop a culture of proactiveness in operational planning and management particularly in the Nigerian Air Force and in the Armed Forces of Nigeria at large.”

In a welcome address, the commandant of the Air Force War College, Air Vice Marshal A.G Kehinde explained that the college academic activities is tailored towards bridging the skill and manpower gap in the field of air power for effective conduct of air operations.

According to him, “that today we are graduating the ninth set of participants of the College is a clear indication that the laudable idea and the philosophy of the Chief of Air Staff which is ‘deliberate training and mission-oriented force development has indeed taken its root for the overall benefit of the NAF and  our dear nation.

“I am therefore optimistic that in the near future, the Service will further begin to feel the impact of establishing this College through better application of strategic planning and implementation of doctrines.”

Earlier, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia commended NAF for its resilience in the fight against insecurity in the state and the country.

He said the knowledge garnered at the war college will further enhance the personnel operations.