Northern Pulse: 100 days in office: CAS inaugurates key projects at Kaduna

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Friday inaugurated key infrastructure projects at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Kaduna, as part of activities marking his first 100 days in office.

Aneke said the projects were in line with his command’s philosophy of enhancing and sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower in synergy with surface forces to achieve national security objectives.

He said the visit was not merely about inaugurating buildings but demonstrating commitment to strengthening welfare, training and operational readiness of personnel.

The CAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to national security, particularly through bilateral engagements with the Republic of Türkiye for the acquisition of advanced helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for the NAF.

He added that in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, he undertook strategic engagements in the United States, Italy and Türkiye in January, saying that the engagements were already yielding tangible results.

According to him, the NAF is fast-tracking procurement of critical platforms, including 24 M-346 fighter ground attack aircraft, 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters to enhance operational effectiveness.

“The effective deployment of these platforms is inextricably linked to the purpose of our gathering here today,” he said.

Aneke said the projects inaugurated included six blocks of 12 one-bedroom student Pilots’ Quarters, a block of six three-bedroom flats initiated by the Ministry of Defence and completed by the NAF, and a block of 30 one-bedroom studio apartments for airmen and airwomen of the Military Training Centre.

He said the projects were initiated by his predecessor and that he made deliberate commitments to ensure their completion within his first 100 days in office.

The CAS stated that delays in completing the student pilots’ quarters had previously hindered efforts to produce the required number of pilots for incoming advanced platforms expected next year.

He added that the completion of the facilities would reduce infrastructure deficit in Kaduna while enhancing personnel welfare, motivation and overall readiness.

He urged tje beneficiaries to maintain the facilities with discipline and professionalism, stressing the need for a strong culture of maintenance.

He commended the Logistics Branch, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Training Command and contractors for timely and quality delivery of the projects.

He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government and the National Assembly for enabling fiscal releases that made the projects possible.

Earlier in his remarks, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Training Command, AVM Esen Efanga, described the CAS’s visit as historic and significant to the command and the entire NAF.

Efanga said the newly constructed student pilots’ accommodation at the 401 Flying Training School would address longstanding housing challenges and improve the learning environment.

He added that the 30 studio apartments for instructors at the Military Training Centre reflected deliberate investment in personnel welfare and training sustainability.

According to him, the completion of the Ministry of Defence-initiated project at Happier Valley, which had been abandoned for over a decade, is a landmark achievement.

Efanga assured the CAS of the command’s continued loyalty and commitment to translating his strategic vision into measurable outcomes across training establishments.