By Nkechi Eze
As part of demonstrating its commitment to upholding human rights and fostering civil-military harmony, The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has organized a Sensitization Workshop for recently appointed Civil-Military Relations (CMR), Human Rights, and Gender Desk Officers.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali disclosed that the workshop, which took place on 11 March 2025 at the NAF Headquarters, is part the NAF’s ongoing efforts to ensure that its personnel are fully equipped to avoid human rights violations, mitigate civilian harm, and engage effectively in inter-agency and civil-military cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, emphasized the importance of these which are vital for ensuring that the NAF operates in a way that is both ethical and mindful of its impact on the public.
“The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, representing various NAF commands, units, and operational theaters.
“The sessions covered a wide range of critical topics, including human rights, civilian harm mitigation, media interactions, reputation management, and the importance of fostering inter-agency cooperation.
“Experts, Professor Ehiz Odigie, Dr. Sampson Terwase and Mr. Peter Mancha led the lectures, providing invaluable insights into how the NAF can improve its approach to non-kinetic operations.” He said.
Gp Capt Kabiru Ali further disclosed that through these discussions, attendees were not only educated on best practices but also given a clear understanding of their roles as Desk Officers, with a focus on ensuring positive outcomes both for the NAF and the civilian populations it serves.
Continuing he said that looking ahead, the NAF has outlined a series of follow-up actions designed to further strengthen its human rights and CMR efforts.
These include targeted sensitization visits to all NAF operational theaters and Command Headquarters throughout the year.
These campaigns will continue to focus on critical issues such as human rights awareness and civilian harm mitigation, ensuring that the NAF’s personnel are always at the forefront of ethical military practices.
The ongoing commitment to winning hearts and minds, as well as executing Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and other community outreach programs, reflects the NAF’s dedication to fostering lasting positive relationships with the Nigerian public. With these initiatives, the NAF is poised to set a high standard for military professionalism and accountability, ensuring that its operations contribute to both national security and the well-being of the Nigerian people.
