Air Force Chiefs from around the world, along with prominent figures in the Defence aviation and aerospace industries are in Abuja to celebrate sixty years since the creation of the Nigerian Air Force.
As part of activities to mark the event, the Third Edition of the African Air Forces Forum kicked off in Abuja on Thursday under the theme; ‘Nigerian Air Force at 60: Leveraging Strategic Partnerships in Aerospace Innovations for Regional Security’. It’s a chance not only to commemorate past achievements, but also to look towards the future of the Nigerian Air Force and its role in national and international security.
It may be the youngest branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces but it is now one of the largest in Africa. Originally proposed in 1958, it took another six years for the Nigerian Air Force to be formally established in 1964 with the passage of the Air Force Act 1964 by the National Assembly. The Act stated that the “Nigerian Air Force would be charged with the defence of the Federal Republic by air.
Since then, the Force has undergone significant evolution over the past 60 years, marked by growth in size, capabilities, and strategic importance. Leading to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar ton refer to this period as its golden era.
The Force has enjoyed several successes of note. Its role in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity during the civil war between 1967 and 1970. It also led the air support for the West African Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) operations during the brutal wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the late 1980s and early 1990.
The Airforce is also heavily involved in the fight against insurgents, terrorism, crude oil theft and general insecurity within Nigeria’s borders.
But, there have also been some very costly accidents. Accidental bombings, miscalculated airstrikes, intelligence mishaps, and Airforce misfiring. According to the medical aid group, Medecins Sans Frontiers, since 2017, over 300 civilians have been reportedly killed in accidental airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) while in pursuit of insurgents.
Air Marshall Abubakar acknowledged that mistakes HAVE been made, but insists measures are being put in place to minimise collateral damages.
These 60th anniversary celebrations will culminate with a Ceremonial Parade and Aerial Displays to be held at the NAF Base, Kaduna, on 25 May 2024. The finale will also pay special tribute to NAF’s fallen heroes, surviving veterans, as well as a showpiece event through a fly out parade for recently retiring Generals.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
