CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF ADDRESS: SECOND QUARTER 2016 ROUTE MARCH EXERCISE

I will like to start this address by thanking the Almighty for enabling us to gather here today for the Second Quarter 2016 Route March. This is a demonstration of our resolve to ensure that personnel keep fit at all times. I therefore congratulate you all for a successful outing. This exercise is very timely given that as you are all aware, the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country is still ongoing and any of you here could be deployed at a short notice for the operation in the NE or indeed any part of the country where we are deployed.

The Nigerian Air Force has continued to sustain the tempo of its operation and have degraded the capacity of the insurgents and denied them freedom of movement. We have continued to target their logistic bases, ammunition depots and destroyed mines laid by insurgents on access routes. We are optimistic that within a short time God willing; the Boko Haram menace would become a thing of the past. Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force has continued to contribute its quota in various internal security operations across the country aimed at combating all forms of criminality. To sustain the tempo of these operations, there is the need to train and reinvigorate certain professional ethics that have eroded over the years.
Accordingly, we have emphasised the conduct of route march such as what we have just concluded this morning in addition to the normal Wednesday Games. These and other activities such as the recently organized combat games featuring boxing, wrestling, relay and other interesting sporting events are a few efforts aimed at restoring complete military professionalism amongst our personnel. It is our belief that engaging in regular physical exercises would ensure that personnel remain healthy and fit for employment at any time.

I want to assure you all of our commitment to enhance your welfare to the best of our ability within available resources. In this regard, we have intensified efforts to ensure the speedy completion of the NAF Valley Estate Barracks accommodation where 306 NAF families would be quartered. Moreso, the NAF Post Housing Scheme at Ijah would soon be embarked upon to enable our airmen/airwomen own a home they can call theirs in retirement. This we belief will help in boosting your morale and encourage you to give your best in the discharge of your responsibilities and service of our fatherland.

I will like to place on record that our achievements so far wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari. We are sincerely appreciative of Mr President’s support and reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty to the Nigerian Nation and the sustenance of democratic values in the country.

Finally, I wish to commend the Commander and all those who have worked hard for the success of this event. I implore you all to maintain the tempo as we must put in our minds the fact that in the race to add value to our societies and secure our communities, there is no finishing line. I wish you all safe journey to your respective destinations.

Thank you and God bless.

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