NAF Decorates Late Pilot, 49 Top Officers
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has decorated 22 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and 28 Air Commodores whose promotions were announced last week by the Air Council.
It noted that this was the first time such a large number of senior officers would be promoted and decorated by the Service.
Significantly, the NAF posthumously decorated Late Air Commodore Gabriel Ochai, who died in an air crash on 24 August 2017 in Kaduna.
His wife, Mrs Rita Ochai was in attendance to receive the rank insignia on behalf of her late husband.
A statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Adetokunbo Adesanya explained that the posthumous decoration was done in an effort to sustain the morale of NAF personnel who fight day and night to keep the country together.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who decorated the senior officers alongside other dignitaries and their spouses said the promotion of the senior officers was premised on their past excellent performances and the resolve of the Service to constantly reward excellence.
Abubakar said; “Promotion is not a right but a privilege given to selected deserving officers to enable them undertake higher responsibilities.”
The CAS reminded the newly promoted senior officers to always be guided by the Service’s social contract with the Nigerian people, adding; “Nigerian tax payers would expect the new generals to work harder to ensure that their communities are stable, safe and secured.”
Air Marshal Abubakar congratulated the newly decorated senior officers and their families while advising them to show commitment to their responsibilities and uphold the core value of excellence for which the NAF is renowned.
He also charged the officers to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation and brace up for the challenges ahead.
Earlier, the Chief of Administration (COA), Air Vice Marshal Lawal Alao, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria undertake promotion exercise annually to motivate its officers towards rededicating themselves to assigned duties and service to the nation.
He noted that the NAF has done well and made history by promoting 22 Air Vice Marshals and 28 Air Commodores.
This, he said, was a demonstration of pragmatism, visionary leadership and commitment by the CAS and the Air Council to sustaining the morale of NAF personnel.
The CAS and selected dignitaries, all of who were assisted by the spouses/relatives of those being decorated, decorated the newly promoted senior officers
