Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has laid the foundation stone for the permanent base of the 671 Nigerian Air Force Detachment in Ajia, Ibadan, the state capital.
The Oyo State government donated the 58.58 hectares of land for the permanent facility to the Nigerian Air Force NAF.
Makinde announced a N500 million donation to support the Air Force Base construction in his remarks before the symbolic turning of the sod, as well as other kinds of support to expedite the project’s completion.
The state government backed the initiative because it fits into his administration’s objective to build a strong security infrastructure and boost the state’s economy, according to Makinde.
The governor praised the efforts of the state’s security agencies for faithfully carrying out their duties and vowed that the state will continue to support them in achieving their genuine aims, asking them to continue to conduct themselves as true gentlemen in their jobs.
“Let me commend the efforts of our military personnel in the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security threats in various parts of our country at this point,” Makinde said. I’ll always argue that our security agencies do a thankless job on a regular basis. When there is peace, no one remembers you, but when there is a breach, people begin to wonder what you were doing. So, please accept my heartfelt gratitude.”
He went on to say that the installation will strengthen the Air Force’s operating base and the time it took for soldiers in the Armed Forces to respond to crises and criminalities.
Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff, said establishing a permanent station in Ibadan will alleviate limits in the unit’s response to security concerns in the state.
The installation, according to Amao, will assist the Air Force better fulfill its security duty in the state as well as expand its reach to safeguard security in the Southwest geopolitical zone.
“Currently, the high density of daily air traffic operating from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, restricts military conduct of air operations in the Region,” he stated. As a result, this new base will be a good alternative to Lagos Airfield for the Nigerian Aviation Force to start air operations in the region more smoothly and efficiently.”
The Air Force’s soldiers have had to deal with staying in dispersed locations throughout time, according to the Chief of Air Staff, a situation that would be resolved with the development of a permanent facility.
Amao praised the Makinde-led administration for giving land for the project as well as assurances of support for the base’s development and aircraft operations, and praised the Federal Government for providing infrastructure and an enabling environment for the Air Force.
In particular, he praised Honourable Abass Agboworin, Vice Chairman, House Committee on Air Force, for serving as a vital link between the Oyo State Government and the Nigerian Air Force at the outset of the project.
The state deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan; deputy speaker of the State Assembly, Honourable Abiodun Fadeyi; members of the Nigerian Air Force; members of the Oyo State Executive Council; former Chairman of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero; Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; traditional rulers and several other personalities were among those present at the event.
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