By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
Abuja-Following the promotion of 50 senior officers in the Nigerian Air Force by the Air Council to the positions of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodores, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has urged the officers to give their utmost in their new ranks by working harder to ensure that Nigerian communities are stable, safe and secured.
You would recall that the Air Council on November 20, 2017, approved the promotion of 50 Senior officers comprising 22 Air Commodores and 28 Group Captains to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Air Force(NAF) among which a posthumous promotion was given to a late pilot.
The CAS while decorating the officers, made them to understand that Promotion is not a right, but a privilege given to selected deserving officers to enable them undertake higher responsibilities, adding that the Service will require them to justify the elevation by showing commitment to their responsibilities and upholding the core value of excellence in service that defines the Nigerian Air Force.
He said, “While it is a good thing to be elevated to an air rank or have more stars and bars on our shoulders, it is more fulfilling to say in retrospect that “l have done this much.” It is only then that you will be convinced that you have added value to our noble profession and by extension, our dear nation.
“I therefore urge you to and by extension, begin to work for the next level of elevation. You must also at all times be guided by our social contract with the Nigerian people. Because the Nigerian tax payers will pay more for your salaries and allowances, they will in turn expect you to reciprocate by working harder to ensure that our communities are stable, safe and secured”.
He expressed the gratitude of the Nigerian Air Force to President Muhammadu Buhari adding that the NAF remains loyal and committed to Mr President’s vision of a secure and prosperous nation.
The CAS however charged the officers to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation and to brace up for the challenges ahead, stressing that, “in the race to add value to our society and secure our communities, there is no finishing line. ”
Earlier in his welcome Address, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal, Lawal Alao said the event marks yet another milestone in the career development of some of the officers recently elevated to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodores.
He further noted that history is being made today as it is the first time that 22 Air Commodores have been promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM).
In a vote of thanks unbehalf of the decorated officers, the Director of Civil Military Relations, AVM Ubrufih Uzezi appreciated God for making the day a reality and success adding that the promotion came from God.
He further thanked the CAS for his guidance and commitment in ensuring that the Airforce is moved to a greater height and pledged to give their best to actualize the aim of the CAS and the present administration.
highlight of the event was the Posthumous promotion given to the late Group Captain Adanu Gabriel Ochai who died on the 24th of August 2017 in Kaduna, his wife Mrs Rita Ochai and elder brother Brigadier General John Ochai received the promotion on his behalf
