Agency Reports

By Sani Idris

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has pledged that the service would continue to provide training opportunities to all personnel to enhance their resilience, skills and performance.

Amao made the pledge in a message to the combined graduation of 804 NAF personnel and 27 staff members of Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), on Friday in Kaduna.

The personnel completed administrative and other sundry courses at the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management (NAFIAM) and the Regiment Training Centre (RTC), both in Kaduna.

Amao, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF Headquarters, AVM Jackson Yusuf, said they would continue to sustain professionalism in the service.

He said that NAF was reinvigorating some of its air power capabilities with the acquisition of new platforms and adoption of new processes in line with the changing security environment.

“We will continue to invest in capacity building drive, aimed at generating combat forces capable of securing our national assets against all forms of internal and external threats.

“It is in this regard that we are expecting the delivery of several new aircraft by the first quarter of 2023 to add to the 40 aircraft already acquired for the service since the advent of the current administration in the country in 2015,”Amao said.

The CAS tasked the graduands on discipline, resourcefulness, commitment and ingenuity, so as to ensure application of their training to meet the contemporary dynamic security challenges confronting the country.

He commended NAFIAM and RTC for successfully conducting the various training programmes with the resources allotted to them.

Amao thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the NAF while reiterating their unalloyed loyalty to the government.

Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Ground Training Command, AVM Ibikunle Daramola, said the graduating personnel would return to their units and places of depIoyment better equipped to handle emerging contingencies.

He said during the training, students of the RTC were exposed to both theoretical and practical aspects of their various courses.

These, he said, include weapon handling and marksmanship, field tactics and force protection skills, among others.

“This will enable them function effectively and adapt to the dynamics of the constantly changing irregular warfare environment.

“The personnel are now better positioned to
operate within the context of the fluid battlespace, where insurgents and bandits operate, to ensure the protection of our bases and air assets,” Daramola said.

The AOC also said those trained at NAFIAM were imparted with the requisite professional training to perform at optimal levels when they get back to the field.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards and prizes to deserving graduates and instructors from NAFIAM and RTC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly renovated headquarters complex of NAFIAM was inaugurated by the CAS.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

News Local

FG declares 2-day public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day

NURUDEEN SHOTAYO

December 17, 2022 9:14 AM

Aregbesola urged Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of the festive period.

Ogbeni-Rauf-Aregbesola-1 (IndependentNG)

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared December 26 and 27, 2022, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.

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Pulse reports that Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, is celebrated by the majority of Christians on December 25, and this year's edition has fallen on a Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government also declared January 2, 2023, as New Year celebration.

This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement issued on Friday, December 16, 2022, by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore.

The Minister urged Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of insecurity plaguing the country.

Aregbesola also enjoined Christians to emulate the doctrines of Christ in faith, hope, and love.

Aregbesola's words: “We must imbibe the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings on humility, service, compassion, patience, peace and righteousness that His birth signifies. This will be the best way to portray Christ and celebrate his birth.”

“Peace and security are two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity. We urge Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of insecurity bedevilling our dear nation.”