President Muhammadu Buhari Monday said the provision of modern equipment and personnel motivation like the Super Tucano jets and the Augusta helicopter gunships among others have helped to turn the tide in the fight against terrorists and other non-state actors, and sustained the Nigerian Air Force.
The President said this in Kano while speaking at the ceremonial parade to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force.
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He assured that the administration will continue to provide more platforms to modernise the Nigerian armed forces.
“To this end, we have approved the procurement of more platforms such as the Beechcraft, some modern helicopter gunships and UAV for the Nigerian Air Force to enable it to man our airspace more effectively.
“Rest assured that as a government, we are willing to do even more to ensure the provision of the requisite support and encouragement to overcome various security challenges.”
President Buhari, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, commended the Nigerian Air Force for living up to its constitutional responsibilities of securing the nation, and justifying the investments of the government of the day in the force.
The President said the Air Force had transformed into a formidable entity, ready to confront immediate and future challenges.
This adaptability, he added, has enabled the Service to respond effectively to our dynamic national security challenges.
President Buhari said he promised to equip and re-professionalize the armed forces to perform their constitutional responsibilities more effectively that on assumption of office in 2005, adding that “we have therefore demonstrated the required political will and leadership as well as committed resources towards capacity building and re-professionalizing of the armed forces.”
President Buhari, who commended the Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs as well as the leadership of the security agencies for doing their jobs well, charged them to “remain committed, steadfast and resolute as we forge ahead to achieving a secure, peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria.”
He also lauded the Chief of the Air Staff, officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the air force for the good work they were doing to support the government’s defence and security policies as well as the high level of discipline, loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and support of democratic values.
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