New Chief of Air Staff assumes office, vows to reinvigorate fight against terrorism, banditry

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New Chief of Air Staff assumes office, vows to reinvigorate fight against terrorism, banditry

The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Thursday, 21 June 2023 assumed command of the NAF following the recent retirement and replacement of service chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He took over the mantle in a formal ceremony at the NAF headquarters, Abuja. In his maiden remarks, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar said his appointment is coming at a time that Nigerians were expecting the enhancement of the acceleration and actualization of peace and security in the country.

He vowed Nigerian Air Force commitment will be reinvigorated in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other challenges bedeviling the country.

AVM Abubakar commended the outgoing Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao for two of his unique attributes that were displayed during his tenure which are cooperation and jointness.

He promised to uphold these attributes in line with Mr President’s directive given during the maiden National Security Council meeting.

In his remarks, the outgone Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oludayo Amao, celebrated the achievements and success of his tenure despite notable challenges.

Amao said under his leadership, the Nigerian Air Force was able to record success in the area of air operations, establishment of new units, directorates, Fleet enlargement, human capacity development enhancement, Research and development, personnel management as well as safety standards, among others.

“I believe that you will build upon the legacies of your predecessors, which made me to ensure the optimal operational capacity capability of the Nigerian Air Force,” he said.

He noted that this will ensure that the ongoing efforts to eradicate insurgencies, terrorism, banditry, and other form of criminality in the country is sustained.

“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate the support of the federal government and the development of capacities that enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force combat readiness through the acquisition of new platforms and several other major equipment.

“In the area of capacity development, we have made significant progress in addressing the issue of inadequate money, especially the aspect of care specialists and care specialist skills.

“We embarked on training, initiatives, cutting across basic, intermediate and advanced categories in all air crew and ground specialties in the service.

He appreciated the support of the federal government and the development of capacities that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force, combat readiness through the acquisition of new platforms and several other major equipment.

He urged his successor to strive for greater accomplishments adding that the new CAS should lead the service to new heights during his tenure.

He stressed that he would miss the force, noting that there is nothing that has the beginning that doesn’t have an end.

Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on September 11, 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA Regular Course 39 and was commissioned a Pilot Officer on September 9, 1992.

He attended several courses and bagged Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, Ab-initio and Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School Kaduna.

Others are Basic and Advance Airborne Courses at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School Jaji, Company Amphibious Operations Course at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School in Calabar, Junior and Senior Command and Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji.

He attended the National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo – Egypt, Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU Zaria.

His previous appointments include Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt, Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron – Air Force Military School Jos and SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.

He was Officer Commanding ‘B’ Squadron (Do 228) – 81 Air Maritime Group NAF Benin, Team Leader MILOB Team Site 615 Mahagi (Ituri Brigade) MONUC and Commanding Officer Base Services Wing 81 Air Maritime Group Nigerian Air Force Benin

He was Operations Officer Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian Air Force Lagos, Operations Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos and Commanding Officer 21 Wing 88 Military Airlift Group Lagos.

Furthermore, he served as Group Safety Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos, Fleet operation officer – 011Presidential Air Fleet, Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet, Chief of Staff, Mobility Command, Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command as well as the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.