NAF Commissions Infrastructure
NAF Commissions Infrastructure at Osun Quick Response
Group
The Governor of the State of Osun, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola,
has commended the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for
consistently prioritizing the welfare of its personnel, which has
gone a long way in boosting their morale and helping to improve
their commitment to peace and stability in the State of Osun and
Nigeria, as a whole. This commendation was made today, 28 August
2019, at the commissioning ceremony of newly completed projects at
the NAF 209 Quick Response Group (209 QRG), Ipetu Ijesha in Osun
State. The projects commissioned include a block of 12 one-bedroom
Single Officers Quarters and the Main Gate of the Unit.
Speaking further, the Governor recalled that the Chief of the
Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, was in the State in
May 2018 to commission projects, which included a block of transit
accommodation of 10 studio flats and 2 blocks of additional
classrooms at the Air Force Primary School, Ipetu-Ijesa. “The
Primary School will no doubt be of benefit to the dependants of NAF
personnel and members of the host community. That the CAS is here
again in less than two years to commission another block of 12 One
Bedroom Single Officers Quarters, is a clear demonstration of the
interest the Air Force boss has in his officers and men”, he
added.
The Governor therefore appreciated the dedication and zeal of
the CAS for his leadership style and foresight. He went further to
appreciate the NAF for participating actively, in collaboration
with other security agencies, in bringing about peace when the
State was faced with security challenges. He added that, since its
establishment in the State, the NAF Unit has been a critical part
of the success story of the State as one of the most peaceful in
Nigeria. While pledging the commitment of his Government to
continue offering needed support to the NAF, Governor Oyetola urged
the beneficiaries of the new accommodation to use the facilities
with a high sense of responsibility.
In his remarks, the CAS, who was represented by the Chief of
Policy and Plans Headquarters (HQ) NAF, Air Vice Marshal (AVM)
Napoleon Bali, appreciated the government and good people of Osun
State for their continued support to the NAF, as evidenced by the
physical presence of the Governor at the commissioning ceremony. He
also expressed his delight for the rapid infrastructural
development witnessed at the 209 QRG Ipetu Ijesha, which, he said,
was established to serve as a support and training base for jungle
awareness training for Special Forces (SF) and jungle survival
training for NAF pilots. The CAS equally highlighted that the Group
has also been designated as an Annex to the Regiment Training
Centre Kaduna to enhance the training of NAF Regiment and SF
personnel, in addition to carrying out its role as a QRG,
conducting special operations within the South West Zone, to bring
security closer to the people. He expressed satisfaction that the
Group has continued to perform these roles creditably.
The CAS, while appreciating the support of the Federal
Government, noted that the establishment of 209 QRG, would not have
been possible without the implicit support of the
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President
Muhammadu Buhari, who despite the harsh economic realities of the
country, has continued to avail the NAF necessary requirements to
sustain its numerous operations. “We pledge to re-double our
efforts to ensure the security of our people and to uphold
democratic ideals for the progress and prosperity of our
fatherland; while also ensuring that available resources are used
judiciously by applying the principle of doing more with less”, he
remarked.
In his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding Special
Operations Command (AOC SOC), AVM James Gwani, represented by the
Chief of Staff of the Command, AVM Aliyu Bello, noted that the
event was yet another demonstration of the pragmatic leadership of
the current CAS, who has continued to motivate personnel through
the provision of the enabling environment for enhanced professional
performance. He added that the current NAF leadership has sustained
its efforts to improve on infrastructure in order to enhance
personnel comfort in all NAF units, including 209 QRG Ipetu-Ijesha,
which is the hub of NAF internal security operations support to the
civil authorities in the South West.
Dignitaries at the event included former Chief of Defence Staff,
Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin along with other serving and
retired senior military and police officers; members of the Osun
State Executive Council as well as His Royal Majesty, Ajalaye of
Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba Adeleke Agunbiade lII, and His Imperial Majesty,
Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran ll, the Paramount Ruler of
Ijesaland, amongst others.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force