• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

      EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Centre Commends CBN, Cardoso for Tackling Inflation, Boosting Reserves

      Nigeria Customs Deploys New Hands to Tackle Fuel Subsidy

      NIPSS Directing Staff behind the Queries Barrister Nima Salman Mann and Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha

      SHOCKING: NIPSS Suspends Participant Over Articles Backing Digital, Blue Economy Reforms…

      Customs’ Operation Whirlwind Crushes Smuggling Ring, Sells Seized Fuel at Subsidised…

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      How Nigeria Customs Facilitated N136.7trn Exports in 2024 – CGC Adeniyi

  • National
    • A young boy walks through the debris at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak, east of Tel Aviv, on June 16, 2025. Iran unleashed a barrage of missile strikes on Israeli cities early on June 16, after Israel struck military targets deep inside Iran, with both sides threatening further devastation. (Photo by JOHN WESSELS / AFP)

      US Embassy in Tel viv Sustains Minor Damage in Iranian Missile…

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      President Tinubu Orders Security Crackdown in Benue, Urges Governor Alia to…

      Olusegun Adeniyi: Why there’d be no public presentation of ‘The Ghost…

      Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa

      CDS Advocates Patriotism as Unsung Patriots are Celebrated at 7th Nigeria…

      Police Officer

      Nigeria Police Recover Vehicles Stolen to Ghana and Niger, Arrest Suspects

    • Government
      • MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

        MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls…

        Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel Amid Escalating Hostilities

        Beyond Bigotry: Unpacking the Iran-Israel Narrative By Yassim Dukawuya

        The Compelling Courage of the Islamic Republic of Iran by Chief…

        FG invigilating students participating in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training

        TVET: FG conducts entrance exam into FTCs for 30, 000 students

  • Security
    • IGP and other security personnel in Benue

      IGP Orders Tactical Reinforcement in Benue as Death Toll Rises in…

      Some of the arms surrended and the few kidnapped victims

      Notorious Bandit Leaders Surrender Arms, Free Kidnapped Victims in Katsina

      Nigerian Navy

      Navy Destroys Five Illegal Refineries in Rivers, Recovers Stolen Crude 

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      President Tinubu Orders Security Crackdown in Benue, Urges Governor Alia to…

      Amnesty International

      Amnesty International Condemns “Horrifying” Benue Killings, Demands Urgent Action

  • Features
    • Opinion

      The Fathers We Forgot to Thank

      Beyond Bigotry: Unpacking the Iran-Israel Narrative By Yassim Dukawuya

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Advancing the Drug War Through Institutional Synergy By Abdulsalam Mahmud

      The Compelling Courage of the Islamic Republic of Iran by Chief…

      Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar

      Nigeria, BRICS and the Quest for a Fairer World By Umar…

  • State
    • MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

      MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls…

      Amnesty International

      Amnesty International Condemns “Horrifying” Benue Killings, Demands Urgent Action

      Lagos CP Orders Probe into Alleged Misconduct by Tactical Squad Commander

      Police Officer

      Police Arrest Kidnap Kingpin in FCT as Bandits Attack Niger Community

      Anambra Police during a peace walk

      Democracy Day: Anambra Police initiates a walk for Safety Campaign

  • Event
    • Olusegun Adeniyi: Why there’d be no public presentation of ‘The Ghost…

      Awards trophies won at 2025 SABRE awards

      Nigeria Shines at SABRE Awards 2025 with Groundbreaking Wins Across Multiple…

      APRA 26th Annual Conference: Customs Calls for Data-Driven PR, as Nigeria…

      MAPOLY Alumni Association

      MAPALUM Commemorates June 12, Honouring Chief MKO Abiola

      The crashed Air India airplane

      Tragedy as Air India Flight with 242 Aboard Crashes Minutes After…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar: The Fighter Jet Pilot
  • Features
  • General
  • Security

Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar: The Fighter Jet Pilot

By
Mathew Gboko
-
April 8, 2018
NAF Boss Air Mashal Abubakar
NAF Boss Air Mashal Abubakar

Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar Fighter Jet Pilot by Mathew Gboko
Nigeria’s 20th Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, turns 58 today.  Being a man with a special place in the hearts of many Nigerians, it does not go without saying that he is one worth celebrating.

Weeks before becoming head of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), insurgency in the North East seriously stressed the Nigerian military. The obvious gains over insurgency and militancy being recorded by the military cannot be fully appreciated without giving attention to the Nigerian Air Force.

Full of grit and purpose, the CAS resumed at his duty-post, eager to work and ready to help push back the insurgents who had encroached upon and were on the verge of claiming parts of the Nigerian territory.

He is indeed worth celebrating, especially on this special day of his birthday anniversary for many obvious reasons. He gathered the once-deflated Nigerian Air Force and repositioned it into a highly motivated, disciplined and formidable force that is gaining the trust of every well- meaning Nigerian. He believes that it is a leader’s responsibility to motivate and ensure troops’ understanding on why they are trained in a particular way, lending credibility to the way every single air force personnel today is more concerned about the security and peace of the country first, before himself.

Air Marshal Abubakar’s leadership within the past  two and half years has incredibly and in a more spectacular  way brings the service much more closer to the generality of Nigerian. Many Nigerians would today, sit back and say with all sense of pride that ‘this is our air force’. Nigerians watch with pride the activities of the Nigerian Air Force ranging from its contributions in the fight against insurgency and other security concerns as well as rendering various forms of humanitarian services to internally displaced persons. The Nigerian Air Force under his leadership has forged a bond that is driven by the desire to serve the nation, above all else.

Watching Abubakar’s NAF at work either in Operation Lafia Dole in the North East, Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta, Operation Sharan Daji in the North West, Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State or Operation Awatse in Lagos at work, is to see a portrait of amazing initiatives, intellect and determination, anchored by an uncommon passion. The magic is that Abubakar has formed relationships with his troops and has established a set of standards to guide their performance, on and off the line of duty.

Read Also:

  • IGP Orders Tactical Reinforcement in Benue as Death Toll Rises in Guma Massacre
  • Fake News and AI: The Unseen Force Behind Traore’s Popularity
  • MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls for justice

Above all, Nigerians are once again witnessing, through him an air force whose desire to stand in the defence of the nation, protection of the citizenry and their properties, offering aid to civil authority have become a permanent feature of the NAF’s national image. It is a commitment that has ‘no finishing line’.

It is a celebration of a man with an uncommon passion for the peace, unity, security and development of the nation. There is the temptation to list out achievements of the NAF under his enduring good leadership. However, the purpose of this write up is not to do that, it is rather intended to say congratulations to an amazing and rare breed this nation has produced. If Nigeria does become a world military power as many international defence experts, believe is inevitable, Abubakar, perhaps more than anyone else, would have helped make that possible.

But we can say this much with certainty: he is one of the world’s most seasoned administrator of his time, an officer who has – and is still – altering the course of military history for the better and a Nigerian patriot worthy of our deepest gratitude and respect. But fortune favours the ready. Abubakar had been preparing to command the skies since he was young.

In a bid to bolster the confidence of the people in the NAF while countering the Boko Haram recruitment strategy to enhance local intelligence gathering, Abubakar introduced “Winning Hearts and Minds” strategy through the provision of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs in the North East and other locations across the country. The NAF initiative, under Air Marshal SB Abubakar , to care for the IDPs and many other vulnerable Nigerians by providing spectrum of medical assistance and other humanitarian projects  stand tall in the history Nigerian military.

Looking at his time in the force, it is clear that he has come as the crow flies, far from his humble beginnings, when things did not look so cast in certainty. Abubakar has a Diploma in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. Abubakar has a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) for helicopters, with instrument rating and has flown a total of 7 aircraft types; Bulldog, Piper Warrior, Enstrom, Bell 206, BO–105, Mi–35P and Mi–17, with thousands of flying hours to his credit.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Air Staff, Air Mashal SB Abubakar was former Chief of Standards and Evaluation at the NAF Headquarters, Chief of Defence Communications (Defence Headquarters), Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command (presently, unbundled into two Commands, namely, Ground Training and  Air Training Commands) and Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.

Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar has placed high premium on the welfare of personnel, capacity building, and aircraft serviceability, among others. He has changed the face of the air force as we gratefully witnessed a new dawn. While many may have a different opinion, it remains clear that the NAF today stamped its authority on the nation’s skies. The impression that the force is a representative of its leadership could never have rang more true. Happy birthday to the Chief of the Air Staff!

Mathew Gboko writes from Abuja

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Fighter Jet
  • NAF
  • Nigeria
  • Pilot
  • Sadique Abubakar
Previous articleNigerian Army Eliminates Terrorists in Adamawa State
Next articleFPP Unveils Nigeria Peace Index with Rating of States
Mathew Gboko
Mathew Gboko

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

IGP and other security personnel in Benue

IGP Orders Tactical Reinforcement in Benue as Death Toll Rises in Guma Massacre

MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls for justice

Some of the arms surrended and the few kidnapped victims

Notorious Bandit Leaders Surrender Arms, Free Kidnapped Victims in Katsina

Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel Amid Escalating Hostilities

Nigerian Navy

Navy Destroys Five Illegal Refineries in Rivers, Recovers Stolen Crude 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Tinubu Orders Security Crackdown in Benue, Urges Governor Alia to Lead Peace Talks

Olusegun Adeniyi: Why there’d be no public presentation of ‘The Ghost of June 12’

Amnesty International

Amnesty International Condemns “Horrifying” Benue Killings, Demands Urgent Action

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa

CDS Advocates Patriotism as Unsung Patriots are Celebrated at 7th Nigeria Silent Heroes Awards

Opinion

The Fathers We Forgot to Thank

Beyond Bigotry: Unpacking the Iran-Israel Narrative By Yassim Dukawuya

Lagos CP Orders Probe into Alleged Misconduct by Tactical Squad Commander

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • IGP Orders Tactical Reinforcement in Benue as Death Toll Rises in Guma Massacre
  • Fake News and AI: The Unseen Force Behind Traore’s Popularity
  • MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls for justice
  • Notorious Bandit Leaders Surrender Arms, Free Kidnapped Victims in Katsina
  • Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel Amid Escalating Hostilities
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
IGP Orders Tactical Reinforcement in Benue as Death Toll Rises in Guma MassacreFake News and AI: The Unseen Force Behind Traore's PopularityMUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls for justiceNotorious Bandit Leaders Surrender Arms, Free Kidnapped Victims in KatsinaIran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel Amid Escalating HostilitiesNavy Destroys Five Illegal Refineries in Rivers, Recovers Stolen Crude US Embassy in Tel viv Sustains Minor Damage in Iranian Missile StrikePresident Tinubu Orders Security Crackdown in Benue, Urges Governor Alia to Lead Peace TalksOlusegun Adeniyi: Why there’d be no public presentation of ‘The Ghost of June 12’Amnesty International Condemns "Horrifying" Benue Killings, Demands Urgent ActionCDS Advocates Patriotism as Unsung Patriots are Celebrated at 7th Nigeria Silent Heroes AwardsThe Fathers We Forgot to ThankBeyond Bigotry: Unpacking the Iran-Israel Narrative By Yassim DukawuyaLagos CP Orders Probe into Alleged Misconduct by Tactical Squad CommanderNigeria Police Recover Vehicles Stolen to Ghana and Niger, Arrest Suspects
X whatsapp