Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has on Tuesday pledged his administration’s continued support to the Nigeria Airforce in the face of security challenges bedevilling the country.
The governor made the pledge while performing a ground breaking ceremony of a Nigerian Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, Bauchi on Tuesday.
Governor Bala who commending the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar for initiating the project, expressed optimism that when completed, it will further help in equipping the Air Force personnel to combat insecurity in the north east as well as other parts of the country.
“It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning to perform this historic ground breaking ceremony of the Nigeria Air Force Aircraft maintenance Hangar Bauchi”, he said.
The governor who expressed delight with the level of neatness put around by the personnel of the Air Force and the effort made towards maintaining its facilities attributed it to the quality leadership of the Chief of Air Staff, Abubakar Sadiq.
He added that the development has shown that the Nigerian Airforce is managing the scarce resources available to it in a prudent manner, urging all the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force to maintain the tempo.
“Bauchi state is proud to produce and to present to the Nation this combat flying officer of repute, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar whose tenure is changing the Nigerian Air Force on the global perspective”, the governor said.
He added that the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force special operations command among others is the testimony to the fact that the Nigerian Air Force is growing in the right direction.
“The Nigerian airforce has been involved in numerous operations to restore security across the country with commendable results”, governor Bala noted.
He acknowledged the Supreme sacrifice of the Nigerian gallant troops not only at ensuring the unified existence of the country but also preserving the nurtured democracy.
According to him, the success and the performance of the NAF is determined by how well its aircraft is maintained and sheltered, adding that the Aircraft maintenance hangar will serve as a storehouse and maintenance shelter to the precious platform of the Air Force and other aircrafts.
Earlier speaking, the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar said that the project when actualised will significantly add value to the operations of the NAF in the North East, North west and by extension the entire country.
“We are delighted that today we are witnessing the commencement of the construction of this gigantic aircraft hanger.
He noted that the NAF engineers and technicians, platforms and other equipment that will be deployed to Bauchi will be protected from the vagaries of weather and will operate in a conducive atmosphere.
“By its strategic location, Bauchi state provides our aircrafts with the reach required to adequately respond and provide support to our troops fighting against insurgency, terrorism in the north east, banditry in the north west as well as other security challenges in the north central”, he said.
The Chief of Air staff however, expressed optimism that the construction of the maintenance hangar will add value to the efforts and tackle the current security situations and challenges in the country.
Dignitaries present at the occasion, includes the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu, the governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed, Chief Air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq, Abubakar, chief of staff government house Bauchi, Dr Ladan Salihu, other top Air Force officers, among others.
