Why NAF Invests In Education – Chief Of Air Staff

By Ayodele Oni

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has said that the safety, wellbeing and academic excellence of students of Air Force comprehensive and secondary schools remains paramount.

He maintained that any attempt to infringe on such priorities will not be tolerated.

This is contained in a statement by Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet,

Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force.

While interacting with the Commandant and some staff of Air Force Comprehensive School, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Air Marshal Abubakar also stated that any act of negligence on the part of commandants, staff or instructors in charge of NAF schools nationwide that leads to injury or threat to life of any student would not be tolerated.

According to him, “It is your responsibility to follow laid down guidelines as well as other means in identifying red flags that may indicate gaps or lapses within your school environments so as to forestall avoidable incidents or tragedies.

“I will not condone any act that would lead to injuries or the death of any of our students.”

The statement added that, the CAS also stressed that the NAF remains dedicated and committed to providing a conducive learning environment, ensuring the overall development of students, and empowering them to reach their full potential.

He called on commandants and staff of NAF schools to always ensure they put the interest of the students first before any other interest.

Air Marshal Abubakar noted that NAF’s investment in education is a vital aspect of its welfare package, aimed at supporting the families of personnel as well as those of civilians, while also contributing to the nation’s human capital development.

“It is also part of its soft power strategy aimed at endearing it to the populace and enabling it to engage with the civil populace through the provision of affordable and qualitative education for their wards.”

NAF currently runs 13 secondary schools nationwide consisting of nine boarding and four day schools with a total strength of 11,177 students as well as 21 primary schools spread across the country with a total strength of 13, 758 pupils.

Its oldest secondary school, Air Force Military School, Jos, was established in 1980, while its oldest primary school, Air Force Primary School, Ikeja, was established in 1976.

Currently, the NAF is building additional schools at NAF Bases located at Abuja, Bauchi, Kaduna and Igbara-Oke in Ondo State, all expected to come on stream by September 2024.