My Govt’ll Prioritize Security, Armed Forces Welfare, Says Tinubu at NAF 60th Anniversary 

* Vows to invest more in state-of-the-art aircraft, equipment to combat insecurity

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has pledged his government’s unshaken commitment to prioritizing national security and the welfare of the armed forces.

The president also expressed his commitment to standing with the armed forces through challenges, triumphs and grief, not as repayment but as an assurance of the nation’s unwavering support.

Speaking Saturday at the ceremonial parade to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Kaduna, Kaduna State, President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising security, noting that development cannot be guaranteed without a secure nation.

“In my inaugural address a year ago, I noted that security would be the top priority of my administration because we can never guarantee the development we have proposed unless each part of this great nation is secure. This is why we have continued to support the modernization efforts of our armed forces to address national and sub-regional security challenges,” he declared.

To address national and sub-regional security challenges, the president disclosed his administration’s substantial investments in procuring state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft, attack helicopters, sensors, and equipment to enhance the NAF’s capabilities.

These acquisitions, including Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft, Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, Agusta 109 trekker multi-role helicopters, and M-346 attack aircraft, are aimed at boosting the nation’s combat and airlift capabilities.

President Tinubu called for a whole-of-society approach to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, even as he acknowledged the socio-economic factors contributing to security challenges.

He hailed NAF’s six decades of service, sacrifice and patriotism.

He said: “I bear with me today the gratitude of a nation that has watched your transformation into a formidable and resilient organisation, vigilant of the dynamics and complexities of security threats within and outside our borders for this long.”

President Tinubu praised the critical role played by the NAF in maintaining regional and sub-regional peace and security, expressing pride in the institution’s formidable and resilient transformation over the years.

He congratulated the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff for sustaining the culture of service on the diamond jubilee anniversary, saying: “We stand with you in your times of need, triumph and grief.”

Expressing confidence in the country’s eventual sound economic rebound, he said: “We are confident that this temporary sacrifice will come to an end soon, and the country will be on the sound economic footing we have promised the nation.”

The president paid tribute to the surviving members of the first set of pioneer NAF personnel, veterans and fallen comrades, acknowledging their bravery, commitment, and service to the nation.

Aligning with the event’s theme, ‘Nigerian Air Force at 60: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships in Aerospace Innovations for Regional Security,’ President Tinubu welcomed the participation of various partners and air forces from around the world, particularly from Africa.

He stressed the need for collaboration and developing partnerships with friends and allies to collectively address shared threats in the sub-region and beyond.

Earlier, a representative of Courses 37 and 38 of the Nigerian Air Force, who retired from the Force recently, Air Vice Marshall Charles Ohwo, recalled “with nostalgia, the moment they were enrolled into the Air Force about 38 years ago”.

He noted that seeing the journey from then, he cannot but thank God, adding that many of them had gone unceremoniously from the service.

Ohwo said while the journey was not devoid of challenges, they are grateful to the officers who encouraged them, especially the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and CAS.

He also thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Tinubu, and everyone who helped them succeed while in the service.

After the event, the vice-president proceeded on a condolence visit to the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, over the demise of his brother, Mukhtar Lawal Ismail, who passed on recently.