The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to accountability and financial prudence as key pillars of its operational effectiveness. Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the 2024 NAF Finance Seminar held today, 12 September 2024, at the MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters NAF, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the importance of efficient resource management to support the demands of modern air power. The CAS emphasized the critical role of the Accounts and Budget Branch, noting that effective financial management is not only an operational necessity but also a moral obligation.
In his remarks to open the Seminar, the CAS also underscored the need for every officer, regardless of rank, to embrace accountability in financial dealings, stressing that accountability is the foundation upon which trust is built, both within the Air Force and with the Nigerian public. He called on participants to come up with innovative solutions that would enhance the NAF’s operational capabilities and ensure every financial resource is used judiciously. The CAS also used the opportunity to commend the Accounts and Budget Branch for organizing the Seminar and bringing together finance experts to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration. Before declaring the seminar open, Air Marshal Abubakar urged participants to engage actively with the esteemed resource persons present, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing improvements in the NAF’s financial management systems.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (CAB), Air Vice Marshal CU Nwagwu, noted that the 2024 Finance Seminar aims to enhance the professional capacity of NAF finance personnel in managing public funds to support the NAF’s mission. He explained that the theme of the Seminar which is, “Fostering a Culture of Accountability in the Management of NAF Finances in Support of Contemporary Air Power Demands,” reflects the drive to ensure transparency in financial transactions, promote ethical behavior, and optimize the use of limited resources. AVM Nwagwu expressed his profound gratitude to the Chief of the Air Staff, the Special Guest of Honour, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya mni, and other distinguished guests for attending the event despite their busy schedules.
Over the course of the 2-day Seminar, a keynote lecture along with three other presentations will be delivered, followed by in-depth discussion sessions designed to extract key lessons from each. The keynote lecture, titled “Managing Financial Resources in the Face of Rising Contemporary Security Challenges: Federal Government Financial Reforms in Perspective,” was presented by Mrs. Lydia Jafiya mni, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance. While delivering the keynote lecture, Mrs Jafiya emphasized the importance of commitment from the government, its agencies and citizens alike for smooth running of the affairs of government. She added that the peace-development nexus is a roadmap to progress and it is required in defining engagement between the military and public financial management which she said is symbiotic. According to her, without security, economic activities are stifled, revenue generation suffers, and the capacity of the nation and sub-nationals to finance their developmental operations diminishes.
The Seminar attracted a host of distinguished guests, including the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Defence, Health and Social Welfare, as well as Budget and Economic Planning. Also in attendance are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, the Auditor General for the Federation, and Branch Chiefs from the Defence and Service Headquarters, alongside other senior officers, both serving and retired. The Seminar is anticipated to produce actionable outcomes that will further strengthen the NAF’s financial systems and enhance its capacity to tackle contemporary security challenges effectively.
*Kabiru Ali*
Group Captain
Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
11 September 2024