…reiterates welfare of personnel as non-negotiable
By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel, declaring it “non-negotiable” as he commissioned nine newly renovated accommodation blocks at NAF Base, Kano.
The Director Public Relations and Information, AVM Olusola F Akinboyewa in a statement made available to newsmen disclosed that Air Marshal Abubakar, while speaking at the commissioning ceremony, highlighted the significance of the project, noting that the renovated blocks had previously been among the most dilapidated structures on the Kano Base, having gone without renovation since its establishment. Recognizing the urgent need for improved living conditions, the NAF prioritized their refurbishment to provide dignified housing for its officers, airmen, and airwomen.
“Today marks another significant milestone in our journey towards infrastructural renewal in the Nigerian Air Force,” the CAS stated. “When personnel return from demanding missions, they deserve living conditions that reflect the value we place on their service. These accommodations are not just buildings; they symbolize our unwavering commitment to the welfare of our personnel.”
He further disclosed that the newly commissioned accommodations include 30 one-bedroom Single Officers’ Quarters (SOQ) and 60 two-bedroom Non-Commissioned Officers’ (NCO) Quarters. The CAS urged beneficiaries to occupy and maintain the facilities responsibly, to ensure their long-term optimal sustainability.
Beyond these completed renovations, the CAS also took time to inspect ongoing developmental projects at the NAF Base Kano. These projects include; a state-of-the-art Trauma Centre at the NAF Hospital, which will provide top-tier orthopedic and trauma care services to NAF personnel and civilians alike, as well as a world-class Vocational Centre, designed to enhance skill acquisition for personnel and their families.
Other ongoing projects inspected include the modernised Military Airport Commandant Office at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, aimed to improve operational efficiency, as well as two additional blocks of six two-bedroom apartments for officers, to further reduce the accommodation deficit. In addition, the CAS noted that approval had also been given for another 30-unit accommodation block for NCOs, with contractors already mobilised to site. He emphasized that these initiatives align with the broader strategy of systematic infrastructural development across all NAF bases, including improvements in healthcare, education, and career development programmes.
Air Marshal Abubakar expressed gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to improving the welfare of military personnel, which has been instrumental in advancing infrastructural development across NAF bases. The CAS also thanked the National Assembly for their firm support of the NAF, assuring of the Service’s commitment to national security and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi, expressed profound appreciation to the CAS, for his relentless determination to enhance the welfare of NAF personnel, in line with his transformational Command Philosophy.
The AOC further emphasized that the provision of the accommodation demonstrates the administration’s dedication to providing a conducive living and working environment. This is in consonance with the fifth Key Enabler of the CAS Command Philosophy, maintaining a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal.
