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Patriotism’ll enable us defeat terrorism, insurgency –Air chief
The Chief of Air Staff(CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said patriotism will enable them to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Abubakar stated this at the graduation of 432 officers, Airmen/Airwomen of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Sundry Military Courses on Wednesday in Kaduna.
He said, “It is the knowledge you have acquired, along with your adherence to our core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do, that will enable us to defeat terrorism and insurgency.
”This will make Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda a living reality for all Nigerians.
“Attending ceremonies like these are always deeply gratifying, as they reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to technical education.
”It is as a crucial tool in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of ensuring the integrity of the Nigerian airspace for the safety, security, and well-being of all Nigerian citizens.
“We are very proud of the work you do here, and we recognize the top quality of human capital development that this institution delivers, not just for Nigeria but also for allied African countries.”
Abubakar said that AFIT’s dedication has ensured the Nigerian Air Force to remain equipped to tackle emerging challenges, fostering self-sufficiency in critical training areas and eliminating the need for foreign training.
According to him, this achievement not only boosts operational efficiency but also conserves scarce foreign exchange for the Nigerian Air Force in particular and the nation in general.
He said, “It is reassuring to see transition towards practical oriented learning, marking a significant departure from traditional theoretical approaches.”
Abubakar disclosed that between October 2023 and now, the Nigerian Air Force had inducted 12 brand new aircraft including 4 x Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, 2 x King Air 360 light transport aircraft and 4 x T-129 ATAK helicopters as well as 2 x AW109 Trekker.
He stated, “Pending acquisitions on the horizon include 3 x CASA-295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 10 x AW 109 Trekker, 12 x AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 x M-346 attack aircraft.”
Abubakar added that the Nigerian Air Force would take additional delivery of 50 brand new aircraft between December this year and 2026.
“This is a remarkable feat which we have not witnessed in a very long while.
“Indeed, these are very exciting times, and we owe a debt of gratitude to God Almighty for allowing us witness this new era, “he said.
Abubakar appreciated President Bola Tinibu for committing huge financial resources towards expanding the ‘Nigerian Air Force Order of Battle’ in spite of economic challenges and competing national demands.
He said that the Nigerian Air Force has embraced a predictive maintenance culture across all its engineering and maintenance units.
Abubakar said, “We have introduced several measures to enhance overall platform serviceability, including the timely provision of critical spares, consumables, up-to-date technical publications, ground support equipment, tools, and specialised equipment.
“I am pleased to state that we have maintained an average serviceability rate of about 68 per cent.
”Our goal is to surpass 90 percent serviceability across all platforms, and you graduands will play a critical role in realizing this objective.”
He said his leadership has focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology and advancing indigenous military manufacturing through Research and Development.
“We are currently partnering with UA Vision of Portugal to operationalize the TSAIGUMI UAV in Nigeria.
“I have also directed the creation of a database for Nigerian Air Force personnel interested in Research and Development, and many have already shown keen interest.
“Dear graduates, you are rejoining the mainstream of the Nigerian Air Force at a pivotal time when the call for a technological revolution within the Service has never been louder, “he said.
Abubakar said the arrival of these new-generation aircraft, with highly sophisticated systems demands nothing less than the best from their technicians and engineers.
Earlier, the Commandant, AFIT, AVM Sani Rabe, extolled the expansion of AFIT and the modification of its mandate.
He said the Institute has remained focused on its primary role of producing quality technical manpower for NAF.
According to him, meeting the skilled manpower requirements of NAF, therefore, remains paramount in AFIT’s endeavour in spite of its expanded mandate.
” It is in fulfillment of this task that today we are graduating 25 officers who have completed their Initial Officers’ Course.
”There are also 407 airmen/airwomen who have completed various Basic Intermediate and Advanced Upgrading courses,” Rabe said.
He appreciated the CAS for continuously and promptly approving the release of funds required for the training as well as the course allowances for the personnel on training.
NAN
Kano State’s influence in Nigeria’s leadership landscape was reaffirmed as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were named top honorees at the 10th Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony organized by Authentic News Daily.
The event, set for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Arewa House in Kaduna, will celebrate their contributions to governance and public service.
According to a statement by Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the ceremony will also honor Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as the “Authentic Woman of the Year.”
Governor Yusuf will receive the “Authentic Humanitarian Governor of the Year 2024” award for his transformative leadership and grassroots development initiatives, which have significantly improved lives in Kano State.
Senator Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former Kano governor, will be recognized as the “Authentic Politician of the Year 2024” for his visionary leadership and enduring legacy of mentorship.
Themed “Religion as a Tool for Peace and National Unity,” the event will feature a keynote address by former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd). Prominent speakers, including Rev. Joseph John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya of the Global Peace Foundation, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, will discuss the role of religion in fostering national unity.
The awards committee lauded Yusuf and Kwankwaso for their “remarkable dedication to public good” and “unmatched service to humanity,” noting that the honors followed a rigorous evaluation of their impact and national relevance.
The recognition of Kano’s leaders underscores the state’s prominence in Nigerian politics and highlights a shared commitment to purpose-driven governance.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Friday announced the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.
Elanza news reported that over 1.9 million applicants participated in the just-concluded exercise.
The board also disclosed that 80 suspects across the country are currently under interrogation for examination fraud, with Anambra State leading the pack with 14 suspects.
The board said it is withholding the results of 39,834 candidates over issues relating to examination irregularities.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Friday while officially releasing the 2025 UTME.
He also disclosed that while 467 underage candidates met the prescribed minimum score, 50 were engaged in cheating scandal.
A press conference to this effect is ongoing.
Details coming…