By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to non-kinetic operations and meaningful community engagement, with a focus on Civil-Military Relations (CMR) across its operational areas.
This renewed commitment is exemplified by the recent intervention at Kurhundu Primary School in Katsina State, where the Air Component Commander of Operation FANSAN YANMA (ACC OPFY), Air Commodore Ibrahim Garba Jibia, initiated a series of strategic engagements to support local education.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, aptly noted that, “In every flight we take, every mission we complete, we honour our commitment to protect the freedom and future of our citizens.”
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, in an official signed statement disclosed that following the initiative, the NAF unit donated vital learning materials to pupils of Kurhundu Primary School and conducted comprehensive assessments of the school’s infrastructure and learning environment during multiple visits.
The statement further disclosed that during the visits, the NAF team engaged directly with teaching staff, sharing effective learning techniques and modeling best practices in classroom settings.
In a bid to address the infrastructural challenges identified, the NAF unit went further to renovate one of the school’s classrooms, significantly improving the learning environment for the pupils. Inspired by this intervention, the Katsina State Government also undertook the renovation of an additional classroom and approved the construction of a new classroom, which is currently ongoing.
This initiative exemplifies the NAF’s broader strategy of winning hearts and minds through impactful non-kinetic efforts, designed to foster trust and cooperation with host communities in operational areas.
By prioritizing grassroots development and educational support, the Nigerian Air Force continues to redefine its role, not only as a defender of the nation’s airspace but also as a key stakeholder in the advancement of communities across Nigeria, enhancing national development.
