…By Larry John for TDPel Media. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) underwent a significant shake-up as Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the new Chief of Air Staff (CAS), announced a series of fresh appointments.
The changes affected Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants of Tri-Service establishments, and a spokesman.
Notably, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet was reappointed as the Director of Public Relations and Information.
The redeployment affected a total of 98 officers of air rank within the NAF.
Key Appointments and Redeployments:
According to a statement released by Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, the Chief of Air Staff approved the redeployment of 98 officers of air rank following recent changes within the Nigerian Air Force.
Among the prominent appointees were Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), Commandants of Tri-Service Establishments, and NAF institutions.
The newly appointed senior officers included 52 Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and 46 Air Commodores (Air Cdres).
New Headquarters Appointments:
At the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF), several changes were made to key positions.
Former Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command (AOC GTC), AVM Sayo Olatunde, assumed the role of Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), while AVM Ibikunle Daramola remained as Chief of Communications Information Systems (CCIS).
AVM Pius Oahimire was appointed as the Chief of Aircraft Engineering (CAcE) at HQ NAF, and AVM Uchechi Nwagwu became the Chief of Accounts and Budget (CAB).
Other appointments included AVM Abubakar Abdulkadir as Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) and AVM Dominic Danat as Chief of Logistics (CLOG).
Commandants of NAF Institutions:
The reshuffle also affected the commandants of various NAF institutions.
AVM Adeniyi Amesinlola assumed leadership of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC) in Oshodi, while AVM Hassan Alhaji took charge of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji.
AVM Sani Rabe was appointed as the head of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna, and AVM Adebayo Kehinde assumed command of the Air Force War College in Makurdi.
Additionally, AVM Esen Efanga became the Commandant of the Air Warfare Centre in Abuja.
Other Redeployments and Appointments:
The statement mentioned several other redeployments, including AVM Francis Edosa as AOC Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC) in Makurdi and AVM Tajudeen Yusuf as AOC Mobility Command (AOC MC) in Yenagoa.
AVM Nnamdi Ananaba took over as AOC Air Training Command (AOC ATC) in Kaduna, and AVM Usman Abdullahi became AOC Ground Training Command (AOC GTC) in Enugu.
AVM Abubakar Abdullahi was appointed as AOC Logistics Command (AOC LC).
Additionally, AVM Kabir Umar assumed the position of Group Managing Director of NAF Investments Limited Group of Companies.
Conclusion:
The Nigerian Air Force witnessed significant changes as the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, made fresh appointments.
The reshuffling affected key positions, including Branch Chiefs, AOCs, Commandants of Tri-Service establishments, and NAF institutions.
These appointments are expected to take effect no later than Monday, July 3rd.