The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has charged the newly decorated military generals to redouble their efforts to end all security threats in Nigeria.
The Minister stated this on Friday, in Abuja during the decoration ceremony of Airforce spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet and 37 other newly promoted officers of air rank in the Nigerian Air Force.
Badaru who was representated by the Minister of State Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle also congratulated the newly decorated officers for their “well-deserved promotions.”
According to him, “Promotion comes with greater expectations and responsibilities. Therefore, while the fanfare and jubilations continue, do not lose sight of the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and all other forms of criminality.
“Invariably, your mandate as Generals is to successfully execute all such operations necessary to preserve national security and territorial integrity. Hence, it is expected that with your upliftment to the ranks of Air Commodore and Air Vice Marshal, you will redouble your efforts to discharge your duties so we can quickly end all security threats to our dear Nation.”
He also said, “Attaining generalship in any military worldwide is an enviable feat. Although promotion, especially to air rank, is highly desirable, motivating and rewarding, it is most importantly demanding.
“It is demanding because, as officers of air rank, the Service expects you to lead from a more holistic and strategic perspective, having garnered experience and an enormous amount of training. The Service and indeed, the entire Nation rely on you to utilize all the knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and critical thinking capabilities you have gathered over the years to move the Nigerian Air Force to higher heights and foster a peaceful and greater Nigeria.
“Accordingly, while we give all thanks to the Almighty God for these elevations, we must also appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the Chief of the Air Staff and his team for finding you worthy of these promotions.
“As you know, not everyone presented for promotion to the enviable air rank was successful. I therefore heartily congratulate you for your well-deserved promotions. Indeed, your painstaking efforts and remarkable contributions to the Service were instrumental to your success. I also specially congratulate your spouses for their continued support, dedication and affection, which have facilitated your progress in the Service and culminated in today’s decoration ceremony.”
The Minister further reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian military in general and the Nigerian Air Force in particular.
“The Government is poised to provide the Armed Forces as well as other security agencies with the necessary resources to ensure a peaceful, safe and prosperous Nation. I must also remind you all that these are challenging times for our nation and the military. Therefore, the government and the good people of Nigeria will expect nothing short of professionalism and the best efforts with commensurate outputs on the part of the military.
“We must, therefore, review our strategies, techniques, tactics and procedures to contain these challenges and assure our fellow citizens of their security and safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Hasan Abubakar said, it is a well-known fact that “promotion is granted in recognition of hard work, commitment and diligence in most organizations and the military is not an exception.”
This is as he congratulated the 22 Air Commodores promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal and the 16 Group Captains elevated to the rank of Air Commodore.
The CAS also noted that, “Having been recognized by this elevation and bearing in mind the enormous investment in your training and exposures, you all must put on your thinking caps and chart workable strategies in our quest to transform the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the air power demands of national security in all operational environments.
*You will also be required to continue to display exceptional integrity, selfless service and commitment to excellence, which would ensure that the Nigerian Air Force records outstanding results in every area of competence and translate to successes in the various theatres of operation with resultant improved security for our people across the country.
“You must remember that we cannot afford to fall short of the expectations of all Nigerians. I therefore urge you to remember that failure should never be an option so long as your determination to succeed remains strong.”