SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC

By: Our Reporter

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan and his entourage conducted an Oversight Visit to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji Kaduna on Monday, November 4, 2024. The visit, held at AVM AO Ogundana Officers’ Mess aimed to inspect and assess projects executed by the College.

In his address, the commandant AFCSC, AVM HI Alhaji welcome the committee. He further mentioned that the College was established with the mission to train tactical and operational level officers in standardized command and staff duties through professional military education to effectively accomplish the constitutional roles of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

During his remarks, Sen. Ahmad Lawan stated that in the current global landscape, security is paramount. Therefore, he pledged to continue prioritizing the nation’s security and military forces to ensure they receive the necessary support. “When we secure our environment, we can more easily and comfortably provide for other needs,” he said. The committee chairman also highlighted the AFCSC as a key institution for military training, providing education to officers at the tactical, operational, and mid-management levels, who go on to lead critical military operations. Sen. Ahmad Lawan stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for achieving the College’s goals, underscoring that adequate funding is essential for success.

“There must be substantial investment in the AFCSC and other defence institutions like the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and the National Defence College (NDC),” Lawan said. “These institutions attract people from all over the world for training, a testament to the excellence of our programs.” He called for more funding in the upcoming 2025 budget for defence institutions and security agencies, asserting that security should be the nation’s top priority.

Sen. Ahmad Lawan thereafter, commended also the Commandant AFCSC, his predecessors and members of the College Committee for their dedicated efforts in building and sustaining the institution since its inception.

Highlights of the event included inspection of the quarter guard, presentation of souvenirs, a tour of College facilities.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO AFCSC

GENERAL SARASO DECORATES NEWLY PROMOTED SNCOs WITH THEIR NEW BADGES OF RANK, CHARGES THEM TO REMAIN DISCIPLINE AND DEDICATED TO DUTY

By: Musa Adams

The General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA Major General Mayirenso Lander Saraso has charged newly promoted Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) at the Division’s Headquarters to remain disciplined, hardworking and dedicated as well as continue to work very hard for more promotions. General Saraso gave the charge during the investiture ceremony of the newly promoted SNCOs which was held at the GOC’s Conference Room on Monday 4 November 2024.

The GOC congratulated the newly promoted SNCOs and Warrant Officers for attaining a new level in their careers. He emphasized that promotion is not just a recognition but a call to even greater responsibility, saying, “The work towards your next rank begins now. The higher you go, the tougher the challenges become.” He encouraged them to redouble their efforts and prove themselves as assets, not liabilities, to the Nigerian Army and admonished their colleagues to recognize and respect their new ranks when offering guidance and advice.

While giving some words of advice to the newly promoted soldiers, the Chief of Staff 1 Division, Brigadier General David Nwakonobi, also commended the SNCOs and reminded them that each promotion comes with greater responsibility, saying, “The path may be tougher as you continue to grow in ranks”.

The newly promoted and decorated soldiers were Staff Sergeants Joseph Godwin, Warrant Officer Danlami Dombo, Warrant Officer Danjinjiri Usman and Warrant Officer Alhassan Musa, all of Headquarters 1 Division.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of his newly promoted colleagues, Warrant Officer Alhassan Musa thanked the almighty God for the privilege to witness the day and expressed gratitude to the GOC for the promotion and pledged their commitment to uphold the duties and values of the Nigerian Army.

Highlights of the event were the investiture ceremony, words of advice to the newly promoted soldiers by senior officers and a group photograph.

GENERAL SARASO DECORATES NEWLY PROMOTED SNCOs WITH THEIR NEW BADGES OF RANK, CHARGES THEM TO REMAIN DISCIPLINE AND DEDICATED TO DUTY

NAF CONDUCTS FOURTH QUARTER ROUTE MARCH TO BOLSTER TROOP READINESS, HONOURS FALLEN PERSONNEL IN SOLEMN TRIBUTE

By: Our Reporter

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted its Fourth Quarter 2024 Route March exercise today, 26 October 2024, across all NAF formations in the country. The nationwide event saw personnel from various units engaging in a coordinated show of physical fitness, mental resilience, and unity, reinforcing the NAF’s operational readiness.

In Abuja, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who was also the Guest of Honour, stressed the critical importance of physical and mental preparedness for all personnel, especially given Nigeria’s dynamic security challenges. The CAS reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to rigorous training, which was in consonance with one of the key enablers of his Command Philosophy, namely “Deliberate Training and Mission-oriented Force Development”. This speaks eloquently to the CAS strategic intent to develop and sustain optimal operational effectiveness in the NAF.

Air Marshal Abubakar also highlighted plans to upgrade NAF sporting facilities, including constructing a state-of-the-art gym at the NAF Special Operations Command and refurbishing existing gyms across all units. He encouraged weekly participation in sporting activities to foster fitness, teamwork, and talent discovery, noting that youth competitions are in the works to engage young people in NAF bases and uncover hidden talents.

The NAF remains steadfast in providing essential resources and training to support personnel in all operational tasks. The exercise concluded with a solemn reminder to maintain vigilance, adaptability, and resilience amid evolving security demands. As part of activities that marked the event, the NAF male volleyball team was congratulated on topping the National Division 1 Volleyball League, leading to its promotion to the Premier League.

A sombre tone accompanied the event as the CAS led attendees in a mark of honor for 5 NAF personnel who recently lost their lives in a tragic accident while en route to represent Nigeria at the African Military Games 2024 in Abuja. A minute of silence was observed in their memory, underscoring the sacrifices of NAF personnel in service to the nation. The CAS further assured that the NAF would forever remember our fallen heroes and stand by the families they left behind.

NAF CONDUCTS FOURTH QUARTER ROUTE MARCH TO BOLSTER TROOP READINESS, HONOURS FALLEN PERSONNEL IN SOLEMN TRIBUTE