By Nkechi Eze
The Chairperson and Coordinator of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMICO), Dr Adams Otakwu, has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its growing community-centric posture and sustained commitment to constructive civil–military engagement, describing it as a positive step toward building trust, transparency and enduring partnerships with civil society across the country.
The commendation came during a recent visit by Dr Otakwu and his delegation to the NAF Headquarters, Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Civil–Military Relations (CMR) through consistent stakeholder engagement. The visit provided a platform for robust and forward-looking dialogue focused on enhancing mutual understanding, promoting transparency in military operations and fostering long-term cooperation between the NAF and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in support of national security and stability.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr Otakwu applauded the NAF for its openness to dialogue and inclusive approach to security management, particularly through the implementation of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Special Intervention Projects and the Service’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Strategies. He noted that such initiatives demonstrate the Air Force’s recognition of the centrality of communities in achieving sustainable peace and operational effectiveness. According to him, structured civil–military interfaces play a critical role in demystifying military operations, strengthening humanitarian outreach and collaboratively addressing security challenges, while also reducing misinformation and mistrust between security forces and the civilian population.
Dr Otakwu further observed that the engagement reflected a positive shift in civil–military relations practices, expressing optimism that it would pave the way for a sustainable cooperation framework. He said such a framework would enhance security communication, support conflict prevention, strengthen community resilience and improve civilian harm mitigation and response, particularly in areas affected by security operations.
Responding on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Civil–Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, expressed appreciation to CIMICO for its consistent support and constructive engagement with the Nigerian Air Force. He reaffirmed the CAS’s commitment to civil–military relations as a core pillar of NAF operations, stressing that public trust, cooperation with civil authorities, effective intelligence sharing and unhindered access to airspace remain critical enablers of operational success, security outcomes and mission acceptance.
Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet highlighted the strategic role of civil society organisations as a vital bridge between the military and the civilian populace, noting that their grassroots presence and advocacy are essential in promoting peace, security and national development. He underscored the NAF’s readiness to continue engaging civil society partners in a transparent and structured manner to ensure that military operations are better understood and aligned with humanitarian and constitutional considerations.
The engagement concluded with a review of planned activities for the year, including the participation of civil society representatives in specialised trainings and the expansion of stakeholder engagement platforms. Both parties expressed readiness to institutionalise regular consultations and explore practical areas of partnership in line with the Nigerian Air Force’s constitutional mandate and the grassroots responsibilities of civil society, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening civil–military cooperation in the national interest.
