Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has revitalised Nigerian Armed Forces in the last four years.
Osinbajo also said that the government’s huge investments in the capacity development of Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies has helped to turn the tide against terrorists and other violent non-state actors in our nation.
The Vice President who spoke at Ceremonial Parade Aerial Display Induction of DA-62 Aircraft, Wing Loon 11 UAV, CW40 IAV Static Display Ceremony to commemorate 59th Nigerian Air Force anniversary in Enugu, Enugu State, commended the Chief of Air Staff and his team for the commendable leadership that they have shown in providing for the Nigerian Air Force.
He said: “I am proud to say that the Air Force has in the years since its establishment proved its mettle both locally and internationally and I must say that I am impressed by the displays put up by the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force at this ceremonial event, especially in the march pass, the parade and the colourful aerial exhibition.
“These displays aptly demonstrates the Nigeria Air Force’s commitment to achieving high standard of operational readiness, indeed our Air Force is willing, able and ready.
“As the air arm of the armed forces, the Nigerian Air Force has shown that despite its challenges, in terms of the quality of manpower, talents, creativity and capability, will stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the world.
“As a country we are proud that in less than four years, we’ve been able to revitalize our armed forces and in keeping with his promise that as the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, he will prioritise the restoration of professionalism in the military to enable them effectively discharge their responsibilities, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari ensured that substantial investments have been made in acquiring new platforms and other support equipment for the military and other security agencies as well as reactivating and upgrading existing platforms.
“In the last four years the administration acquired new air platforms for the Nigerian Air Force such as the GF17 Thunder Multi-roll Pyther aircraft, the A29 Super Tucano aircraft, the Diamond 62 aircraft and the T129 Attack helicopter, Beachcraft and the unmanned area systems, and we have just commissioned two of those platforms that have been purchased earlier by this administration.”
Noting that the Air Force had also reactivated several aircrafts, Osinbajo stated that the procurement process for military hardware had been reviewed to remove inefficiency and to introduce transparency, stressing that the procurement process of the 12 Super Tucano aircrafts in 2018 was done through transparent “government to government deal” with the USA.
He said the huge investment in the capacity development of NAF “has helped to turn the tide against terrorists and other violent non state actors in our nation.”
Commending the CAS for the new focus on research and innovation and self-reliance, the Vice President noted that, “We are seeing an Air Force that is increasingly confident about its ability and its capability to innovate and to deploy locally developed technology.”
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