The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced its 61st anniversary celebrations with a series of events designed to strengthen civil-military relations and showcase its expanding role in safeguarding national security and engaging with local communities.
The flag-off ceremony, held in Bauchi on Monday, saw the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Special Operations Command, Bauchi, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Usman Abdullahi, emphasize the NAF’s strong commitment to transparency and public interaction.
“This Open Day is a reflection of our commitment to transparency, national unity, and pride in service,” Abdullahi stated. “We invite all Nigerians to come, see, and connect with their Air Force.”
AVM Abdullahi also commended the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, for his visionary leadership and strategic direction in organizing the anniversary initiative.
He further reassured Nigerians of the NAF’s steadfast dedication to tackling the nation’s multifaceted security challenges.
The anniversary celebration is themed “Come See Your Air Force” and promises a range of engaging activities for the public.
These include guided tours of NAF facilities, static aircraft exhibitions allowing close-up views of the air fleet, interactive sessions with NAF personnel offering insights into their roles and responsibilities, and community outreach programs in schools, featuring career talks and mentorship opportunities aimed at inspiring the next generation.
These open day events are scheduled to run from May 1st to May 15th, 2025, and will be hosted across various NAF bases located in key states including Makurdi, Bauchi, Lagos, Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Kano, among others.
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Delivering a message of goodwill, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his Chief Security Adviser, Abdulrahman Ahmed, lauded the significant growth and increasing effectiveness of the NAF, particularly in its efforts to combat banditry and insurgency in the region.
He also called for enhanced aerial surveillance along Bauchi State’s borders with neighboring Plateau, Gombe, and Taraba States, and urged even greater collaboration and synergy with other security agencies operating in the area.
Key highlights of the anniversary celebration observed in Bauchi on Monday included dedicated visits by school children to the NAF base, informative career guidance sessions designed to educate students about opportunities within the Air Force, and engaging interactive sessions with various NAF units stationed at the base, fostering a greater understanding between the military and the local community.
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