*Says feat a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s airpower
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described the induction of 38 new aircraft into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet as a paradigm shift and a significant departure from the past when the operations of the Nigerian Air Force was in a sorry state.
BMO, while reacting to a report that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oludayo Amao had announced the acquisition of 38 new aircraft and inducted them into its inventory, noted that the newly-acquired aircraft fleet includes the twelve A-29 Super Tucano aircraft being used to tackle terrorism in the North East and North West zones of the country.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the media group added that some of the aircraft have also been deployed for the training of pilots in the country.
“We also note that before the advent of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Nigerian Air Force was hamstrung due to widespread corruption and misuse of public funds which has led to the prosecution of some former Chiefs of Air Staff.
“We, therefore, commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its foresight in repositioning the Nigerian Air Force, and indeed other armed forces, which has enabled them to continually confront the various security challenges in the country”.
The group also noted that the attention being given to the Nigerian Air Force by the Buhari administration has enabled it to embark on a reactivation programme, as well as the emplacement of a robust logistics support structure, and this has raised the NAF serviceability status from 35% in 2015 to 72% in 2021.
“Furthermore, a total of 173 pilots have been trained in the last six years with an additional 155 student pilots undergoing training. This has increased the mobility of the Nigerian Air Force, thereby curtailing the spate of insecurity across the nation.
“We want to also acknowledge that in 2022, Nigeria is ranked 35th out of 140 countries considered for the annual Global Fire Power (GFP) review, a global ranking in military strength. By this, we can confidently say that the Buhari administration has relentlessly addressed the challenges of the military and this has greatly reduced insecurity in the country”.
