Princess Kelechi
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has witnessed a boost to its manpower strength with the combined Passing Out Parade (POP)) of additional 1,549 recruits of Basic Military Training Course 42/2021 and 49 Branch Commission Officers of Course 1/2022.
In his address at the ceremony which held Saturday, the Reviewing Officer, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, advised the graduands not to see the military profession as just another job, but one that requires absolute discipline, loyalty, hard work and all seriousness especially at this crucial time when the Nation is battling the challenges of insecurity on several fronts.
He also reminded them that the military as a noble profession demands extraordinary courage, commitment, and patriotism, and Nigeria will continue to count on them and demand such qualities from them.
The Reviewing Officer also noted that the training they have received was deliberately made to be demanding to simulate, as closely as possible, the real-life scenarios they were likely to encounter going forward.
“Indeed, while they have every reason to feel proud and fulfilled for what they have achieved, it also marked the beginning of another challenging but rewarding phase of their careers as officers and airmen/airwomen in the NAF,” he said.
He then encouraged them to ensure optimal utilization of resources while subordinating their personal interests to those of the Service and the Nation. According to him, “Above all, you must exhibit the core values of ‘Integrity’, ‘Service before Self’ and ‘Excellence’ for which the NAF is known.”
In his welcome address at the ceremony, the CAS stated that the ceremony marked the first time the NAF was solely training and graduating Branch Commission cadets, believing that the enlistment of duly qualified airmen/airwomen as officers through Branch Commissioning will bolster morale towards more hardwork, excellence and loyalty in the NAF.
The CAS also added that the NAF has since taken cognizance of its primary duties in the maintenance of security and promotion of peace in the country which, he said, has been facilitated through the active support of the Minister of Defence.