NAF Provides Motorized
NAF Provides Motorized Wheelchair to Retired Air
Officer
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has fulfilled a promise made in 2014 for the provision of a
wheelchair to retired Flight Lieutenant Dauda Philip. The
specialised wheelchair, which was bought at a cost of 16,577.10
Pounds Sterling, was formally handed over to the retired officer,
today, 13 March 2019.
The retired officer was involved in a road traffic accident on
13 September 2008, in which he sustained a spinal cord injury that
left him paralyzed. Despite being treated within the country and
evacuated for advanced care in Egypt and India by the Nigerian Air
Force (NAF), he eventually lost total use of his upper and lower
limbs. He was subsequently retired from the NAF on 4 December 2014
with a recommendation that a motorized wheelchair should be
provided to aid his movement in retirement. However, this was not
done, which prompted the retired officer to appeal to the present
CAS for the provision of a wheelchair. The CAS, who was hitherto
unaware of his predicament, swiftly approved the recommendation and
the specialised wheelchair was ordered.
Speaking while making the presentation of the motorized
wheelchair, Air Marshal Abubakar thanked the retired officer for
his service to the NAF and the Nation at large. He stated that the
Service would continue to support any member of the NAF family with
medical challenges in every way possible, whether they are serving
or retired. “Be assured that we will support you in any way we can
to make life more comfortable for you”, the CAS said.
Responding, the elated retired officer expressed profound
appreciation to the NAF for his magnanimity. He said “God has used
you to acquire this wheelchair for me, which was promised before
you took over the affairs of the NAF. I am really grateful for the
provision of the wheelchair as it would improve my quality of
life.” Present at the ceremony were the wife of the retired
officer, Mrs Naomi Philip, as well as the Chief of Administration,
Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, Chief of Medical Services, Air
Commodore Mohammed Shaibu and other senior Headquarters NAF staff
officers.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force