To survive, Nigeria needs resilient leadership – Chief of Air Staff

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal, Oladayo Amao, on Monday said the need for a resilient leadership cannot be overemphasized if Nigeria would survive.

Amao spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the maiden Air Rank Leadership Seminar at the Air Force War College (AFWC) in Makurdi, Benue State Capital.

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“Our Nation and the world at large are no doubt in challenging times. Such times call for innovative, creative and resilient leadership if we would survive as a country and a Service. It is hoped that this Course would stimulate the development of this kind of leadership in you participants.

“Your roles as top level staff and commanders will therefore be more critical as you help the NAF develop strategies to combat these threats and also formulate policies that would ensure that the Service continues to evolve into a formidable Air Force that would be the pride of our Country and sub region,” he said.

Represented by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC), of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Makurdi, AVM Idi Lubo, the Air Chief inaugurated the Air Rank Leadership Seminar 1/2021 and charged them to live up to the expectation of their selection to be part of the learning to tackle extremism.

“You are attending this Course at a very critical period when our Nation, Region and indeed the international community are looking for solutions to the rampant wave of extremism and militancy that are threatening our acceptable ways of life. These extremist networks have evolved in recent years, moving away from a dependency on state sponsorship; many of the most dangerous groups and individuals now operate as non-state actors, taking advantage of porous borders and interconnected international systems,” the Chief of Air Staff posited.

In his welcome speech, the Commandant of Air Force War College, AVM Ibrahim Ali, said the college was established to enhance the capacity development of officers in airpower concepts and applications, as well as campaign planning and leadership.

Ali added: “In line with this broad mandate, the College was tasked to develop an executive leadership training module for officers of air rank as part of measures to enhance professionalism and succession planning within the top leadership cadre of the NAF.

“This seminar is hoped to be the AFWC’s contribution to ensuring a vibrant, innovative and resilient leadership for the NAF that is essential in repositioning the NAF to effectively combat the various security challenges facing our country.”