Ochai who lost his life in an air mishap involving a NAF Air Beetle aircraft on 24 August 2017 in Kaduna, was on Wednesday laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
In his remarks at the burial ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the demise of Group Captain Ochai called for sober reflection and described it as a great loss to the NAF and to the nation at large.
He said the NAF had lost a hardworking, committed and excellent senior officer who, during his lifetime, contributed to some feats in the NAF.
He added that one of such feats was the successful training and graduation of 16 NAF student pilots who completed their initial flying training while still being cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He explained that it was a target last achieved 32 years ago, describing the late senior officer as a dedicated pilot who went the extra-mile to add value to the NAF.
Air Marshal Abubakar assured the immediate family of the deceased that they remained a part of the Air Force Family and would be so treated.
While paying the last tributes on behalf of the Ochai Family, the elder brother of the deceased senior officer, Brigadier General John Ochai, expressed appreciation to the NAF for honouring his late brother with a national burial.
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