Abubakar
Boss
NAF Graduates Young Intelligence Officers for Internal
Security
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has charged newly graduated students of Young Officers’ Course
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 1/2020 (YOC 1/2020) of the Defence
Intelligence College (DIC) Karu to bring their newly acquired
knowledge and skills to bear in the production of actionable
Intelligence that would enhance the operations of the Service in
ensuring a secured, united and prosperous Nigeria.
The CAS stated this today, 8 September 2020, at the graduation
ceremony of YOC 1/2020 at the DIC. Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed
that the decision to conduct the course at the DIC was borne out of
his desire to produce well-grounded Intelligence Officers capable
of supporting the NAF in delivering on its constitutional
mandate.
Speaking further, the CAS, who was the Special Guest of Honour
at the graduation ceremony, stated that to successfully prosecute
the ongoing counter insurgency and anti-banditry operations across
the Country, Intelligence gathering was critical. Good
Intelligence, according to him, is a prerequisite for any
successful operation, particularly air operations, whose effect
could be devastating, and as such mistakes are unacceptable. “The
only way to get good Intelligence is by building robust networks
that are predicated on excellence and competence which can only be
achieved through good training of Intelligence operatives. It is in
this regard that a lot of resources was invested into your
training”, he said.
While congratulating the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI),
Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman, and the entire College team for
their relentless efforts in bringing the first-ever NAF YOC on
intelligence to fruition, the CAS noted that the DIC had become a
citadel of Intelligence training and thus reputed for developing
qualitative manpower in the field of Intelligence, thereby aiding
commanders’ decision-making for effective conduct of operations. He
therefore urged the graduating students to bring to bear, the
skills and capacity acquired during the Course in their future
deployment. “As you leave the training environment, you should be
guided by utmost sense of patriotism and avoid acts of misconduct
that could tarnish the image and reputation of the Service”, he
added.
The CAS expressed his gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his support to the
NAF. According to him, since the inception of the current Federal
Government Administration, the NAF has recorded remarkable
achievements in the areas of capacity building and operations. He
commended the Commandant, staff and students for ensuring a
hitch-free course despite the challenges of the COVID-19
pandemic.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant, DIC, Commodore Michael
Oamen, while thanking the CAS for gracing the occasion as the
Special Guest of Honour, stated that the 36 students, who were
drawn from various NAF Units, had acquired requisite knowledge and
skills that would enable them add significant value to the NAF’s
intelligence operations.
Highlights of the graduation ceremony, which also had the CDI
and Deputy CDI in attendance, were the presentation of certificates
to the graduating students as well as the presentation of awards to
the students who distinguished themselves on the course. Squadron
Leader Martin Egwurube clinched the Commandant’s Award for the Best
Research Paper as well as the Best Graduating Student’s Award,
while Flying Officers Joseph Agada and Lawal Ismail received awards
for emerging second and third in order of Merit.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations & Information
Nigerian Air Force
8 September 2020