By Christel Odili
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has rewarded the efforts of its personnel and civilian staffs who in recent time has distinguished themselves, made significant contributions to the overall security objectives of the NAF with reputable difference in their various area of responsibilities.
The recognition was done during the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Awards Ceremony and Workshop for NAF field Commanders held on 3 January 2018 at the headquarters NAF in Abuja.
Notable among the awardees was Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo who emerged as the Best Air Component Commander of Operation Lafia Dole in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the Northeast, while a posthumous award was given to the spouses of late Air Commodore Gabriel Ochai who died recently in air crash during training mission in Kaduna, and late Group Captain Stephen Hedima who lost his life in the Counterinsurgency operation for their invaluable contributions to development of the NAF.
While saluting the courage of the awardees for their excellent performance, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar reminded them that they cannot afford to lose a steam, noting that though the award was in recognition of their excellent contributions towards the actualization of key NAF objectives, however, “it is also tagged with a burden of responsibility and trust that you cannot afford to betray.
Meanwhile, the CAS informed others NAF personnel that the awards given to their colleagues should serve as source of motivation to them stating that the NAF cannot be strong without the collective contributions of all stakeholders.
While addressing the field commanders, Air Marshal Abubakar reiterated that appointments in the NAF, no doubt come with a lot of responsibilities including the management of human and material resources. The workshop therefore he said was designed to equipped them with command responsibilities in line with the Headquarters NAF expectations.
The CAS emphasized that the nations is passing through an extraordinary time with myriads of problems threatening to shake the foundation laid by the founding fathers and hence urged the commanders to brace up and leave up to expectation in their various Units.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration at the Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Mahmoud Ahmed stated that the event was to further demonstrate the passion with which the leadership of the NAF seeks to recognize human capacity development and reward commitment to duty remarking that the workshop was aimed at further developed the capacity of the commanders while the award ceremony was aimed at motivating the awardees while spurring others to higher aspiration in their various fields.
Others recipients of the outstanding performance awards includes, Air Commodore Austin Imafidor, Air Commodore, Group Captain Albert Bot, Wing Commander Agyo Haruna, Wing Commander Fatai Ganiyu and Flight Lieutenant Nkemdilim Ofodile. Also included in the roll call were Warrant Officer Omodara JS, Sergeant Abdulmalik Ibrahim, Corporal Mureh John, Lance Corporal Okoye Moses and Air Craft Man Aliyu MS. The civilian awardees are Engr Ajibola Sulaimon and Mr Armstrong Buba while 041 Communication Depot of the NAF bagged the Best Unit in Research and Development in the Year 2017.