Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi the Minister of Defence, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has come up with credible innovations to address current security challenges in the country.
Magashi stated this on Friday during the graduation of Air Force War Course 5/2019 in Makurdi.
Represented by Chief of Defence Staff (CAS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, the minister commended NAF for the positive steps taken to support counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations where officers and airmen have performed gallantly.
“Iam particularly proud of the innovative steps that have been taken within the last few years to revitalise our Armed Forces for the full restoration of the country’s territorial integrity,” he said.
He said the Air Force War College was an established citadel of knowledge for transiting tactical level officers into operational level commanders adding that its trainees were already adding value to the Armed Forces.
“This transition aptly fits into the needed security architecture of our country in the wake of current security challenges.
“Our country is currently experiencing different forms of security challenge. These includes terrorism, ethno-religious crisis, abductions, incidents of cattle rustling sand farmers/herders clashes across all geopolitical zones.
“The changing nature of warfare poses new challenges to security forces. Sub-conventional threats are on the rise creating a significant more complex strategic environment, both at the global and regional levels.
“The nature of these challenges makes it necessary to be innovative and explore contemporary ways and means to tackle them,” he said.
The minister while congratulating the graduating students further urged them to continue to strive for excellence, professionalism, integrity, dedication, loyalty and high standard of discipline in the discharge of their duties.
Chief of Air Staff (COAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, said the country was facing both complex and dynamic security challenges.
Abubakar disclosed that the Air Force witnessed tremendous boost to its aircraft holding various fleets through systematic acquisition and reactivation of platforms.
Commandant, Air Force War College, AVM Charles Oghomwen said a total of 20 participants graduated in the Course 5/2019.
Oghomwen said that the course lasted for 29 weeks and participants took part in over 115 lectures, 53 interactive sessions during the training.
He said that though the college curriculum was heavily in favour of air warfare studies, the college still exposed participants to an appreciable level of training and research in security and defence studies.
