Air Chief Receives Transparency International, Promotes Award-winning Airmen
The Transparency International (TI) has lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) towards fighting corruption and eliminating waste to improve service delivery.
The commendation was made on 10 August 2017 by the Representative of TI on Defence and Security Programme, Sir Ian Andrews, during a one-day leadership workshop held at the Headquarters NAF Abuja, in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). Sir Andrews also commended the NAF for overhauling its procurement process and adhering to international best practices in procurement procedures.
The workshop was aimed at building the capacity of NAF personnel and to further strengthen the NAF’s procurement procedures.
Making reference to global efforts in addressing the challenge of corruption, Sir Andrews commended the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for setting an example of what an institution should do towards stemming the tide of corruption and promoting transparency not only in procurement but in other areas.
He praised the NAF’s initiative in introducing mortgage scheme for new recruits and young officers.
According to him, the initiative would enable the young personnel to gradually contribute towards owning their individual houses by the time they are exiting the Service.
Consequently, this laudable effort would go a long way in enabling NAF personnel to focus on efficient and effective service delivery without being distracted by the worries of house ownership, a major cause of corruption.
In his remarks, the CAS stated that the NAF had initiated many changes in the procurement process within the ambit of the Public Procurement Act 2007 to enhance transparency and integrity in the procurement system.
“This led to the establishment of a Directorate of Procurement tasked with the responsibility of coordinating activities in the NAF”, he said.
The CAS therefore thanked TI for facilitating the workshop, which he believed would further improve transparency in the procurement process. “For us in the NAF, we are committed to following through on all lessons learnt to ensure the achievement of the goal of a transparent and corruption-free procurement process,” he further said.
Participants at the leadership workshop identified some immediate and remote causes of corruption in the society to include lack of integrity and trust among other factors. The need to build strong institutions as part of measures to prevent corruption was equally noted.
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Air Chief Promotes Award Winning Airmen
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has granted special promotion to Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Aniemeka Enem, who recently emerged overall best graduating doctorate student at the Babcock University Ilishan Remo, Ogun State.
He was promoted to the exalted rank of Air Warrant Officer (AWO), which is the highest rank in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ cadre in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). AWO Enem, who was decorated today by the CAS alongside 8 others, graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.67 from the doctorate programme at the University.
Also decorated were AWOs Muhammad Atiku, Elikwu Daniel, Ibrahim Olukayode, Ochonna Evans, Adole Owoicho, Garba Haruna, Amuka Philip and Ogory Silvanus.
Speaking during the decoration ceremony, the CAS disclosed that the personnel were promoted based on merit, noting that some had contributed immensely to the NAF air operations in the North East.
The CAS equally stated that some of the newly promoted AWOs had contributed to the Research and Development efforts of the NAF as well as reactivation and serviceability of its platforms. “Because of their efforts, some of our aircraft are flying today,” the CAS said.
Air Marshal Abubakar urged the personnel to remain focused, disciplined and patriotic while ensuring that NAF core values of integrity, service before self and excellence are inculcated in their subordinates. In addition, he charged them to develop themselves by acquiring more knowledge.
“You need to keep yourself updated at all times to avoid living in the past and also ensure that you keep abreast of contemporary security challenges”, he said. The CAS equally used the occasion to advise them against any form of discrimination as they discharge their duties.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services, Air Vice Marshal Mahmoud Ahmed appreciated the CAS for recognizing the immense contributions of the new AWOs, which subsequently led to their elevation.
OLATOKUNBO ADESANYA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
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