• 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
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      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…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Trade Facilitation: Nigeria Customs, NACCIMA Strengthen Partnership

      Economic Confidential to Host 3rd Public Lecture, Unveil Books on Nigeria’s…

      Luanda Summit: AUDA-NEPAD Taps AI, Green Bonds as it Launches Marketplace…

      Tinubu Jets to Brazil After Japan Summit, Eyes Trade, Security Deals

      Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

      Customs and the “National Single Window” Project

  • National
    • Fellow Bashir Chedi

      NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65

      Pantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian…

      NDLEA Logo

      Drug Kingpin, 5 Others Arrested as NDLEA Moves to Clear Innocent…

      Late Mama Lydia Yilwatda

      Senator Shehu Buba Condoles with APC National Chairman over Mother’s Death

      Newly Graduated Officers of the Nigerian Customs Service

      Customs College Graduates 50 Officers, Urges Innovation, Discipline

    • Government
      • Pantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian…

        Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

        African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

        Late Mama Lydia Yilwatda

        Senator Shehu Buba Condoles with APC National Chairman over Mother’s Death

        CG Custom Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Zacch Adedeji

        Is Zacch Adedeji Building Bridges for Nigeria’s Revenue Future? By Yushau…

        ACF

        Arewa Consultative Forum Engages Influencers to Amplify Northern Identity

  • Security
    • Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

      FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter

      Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka. image. Google

      Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism Strategy

      Nigerian Police Force

      IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba

      Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and his Brazilian counterpart, José Múcio Monteiro Filho, in Brasília

      Nigeria, Brazil Deepen Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Industry

      The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu at Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, in Abuja

      Tinubu Proposes Permanent Forum for African Defence Chiefs

  • Features
    • Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

      African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

      CG Custom Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Zacch Adedeji

      Is Zacch Adedeji Building Bridges for Nigeria’s Revenue Future? By Yushau…

      Army soldiers security

      Mattress of Terror: Can Nigeria Ever Be Truly Secure? By Haroon…

      The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

      Ribadu and the fall of Ansaru By Senator Iroegbu

      Fixing the Fault Lines in Nigeria’s Culture of Recognition, By Mukhtar…

  • State
    • Nigerian Police Force

      IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba

      DG BPSR, Cross River Delegation..

      C/River Partners BPSR, W/Bank on Governance Reforms, Development Agenda

      Fake Major License

      Army Hands Over Fake Major to Police in Lagos

      NDLEA Logo

      Drug Kingpin, 5 Others Arrested as NDLEA Moves to Clear Innocent…

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Katsina, Rescue Abductees in Kogi

  • Event
    • Economic Confidential to Host 3rd Public Lecture, Unveil Books on Nigeria’s…

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      His Death is a National Loss, Tinubu Mourns Emir of Zuru

      Umar Lauya

      Umar Lauya Declares Candidacy for NYCN Presidency, Vows to Unite and…

      The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Department Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (L), with the CEO of Legacy Sugar Company, Alh. Abubakar Isa Musa (R), during the signing ceremony.

      NSDC, New Operators Seal Landmark Development Agreements, to Produce 400,000MT of…

      Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Women’s Day: Air Marshal Abubakar and the Women of War
  • Features
  • Security

Women’s Day: Air Marshal Abubakar and the Women of War

By
Yushau A. Shuaib
-
March 8, 2019
NAF Women of War
NAF Women of War

Air Marshal Abubakar and the Women of War
By Yushau A. Shuaib

NAF Women of War
NAF Women of War

Neither clients of plastic surgeons nor make-up artists, their natural beauty delights the eye in their smartly dressed military wear… Though innocent looking, pure and enticing, they remain feminine, while their line of duty is the traditional masculine career of fearless and courageous souls. They are the Nigerian Women of War in the Nigerian Airforce (NAF).

This writeup is a tribute to mark the International Women’s Day by examining the roles our women are playing in national security.

I have met some of them on the field and they were the topic of discussion at a recent interaction with the twentieth Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, when he disclosed that the trained female air combatants, known as Women of War, are engaged in active military operations, fighting Boko Haram terrorists in North-East, combating armed bandits in North-West, and other criminal elements in other parts of Nigeria.

Since his appointment as CAS on July 13, 2015, Air Marshal Abubakar has engaged in the massive recruitment of officers, airmen and airwomen, with heavy investment in capacity building, training and retraining of personnel.

NAF Women of War
NAF Women of War

The female warriors, like their male counterparts, are not only trained locally but some of them attended the best military academies in the world. Apart from those who have returned from training and are currently active in the frontlines, one of the warriors is currently undergoing intensive training in the United States of America to become a female fighter pilot, while another is in South Africa training to become a helicopter gunship pilot.

The trained female personnel, like their male counterparts, have neutralised insurgents during airstrike missions, provided close air support, air interdiction, in-theatre liaison flights, casualty evacuation, as well as logistics re-supply of ammunition, water, food, and medicine. In a nutshell, they have provided tactical support for the ground troops.

NAF Women of War
NAF Women of War

Some of the female air officers fly sophisticated fighter planes and control operation rooms used in gathering intelligence, carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) activities. Apart from the pilots, a number of the women of war are also experienced ammunition loadmasters, aircraft maintenance engineers, aerospace engineers, armament specialists, squad leaders, combatants, military policewomen, and air traffic controllers, among other specialisations.

The Women of War evolved mostly from the massive recruitment and training exercises conducted in the last three years under Air Marshal Abubakar, resulting in the engagement of 7,522 young airmen/airwomen, 400 young graduate-officers, and 95 winged pilots in the Nigerian Air Force.

Read Also:

  • FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter
  • NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65
  • Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism Strategy

Air Marshal Abubakar Sadiq after media intercation
Air Marshal Abubakar Sadiq after media intercation

In addition to making the NAF a gender-sensitive service that encourages its personnel to explore their potentials without inhibition in the armed forces, Air Marshal Abubakar ensured that senior officers on managerial levels are trained in other fields of relevance beyond their core fields of specialisation. For instance, when he appointed AVM Adesanya and later Air Commodore Daramola as spokespersons of the force, he ensured that the officers attended specialised and advanced practical communication programmes organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) and the African Public Relations Association (APRA), among other capacity-building institutions to become members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) as required by law. Therefore, their practical PR skills, acquired through advanced training rather than academic theories, have helped the officers to reposition the service and boost its reputation to the public admiration.

To ensure the trained and recruited personnel are engaged in relevant fields, the service has recorded remarkable achievements in the acquisition of new platforms and establishment of new operational offices across the country. The NFA’s structure has been expanded through the establishment of a Special Operations Command in Bauchi, a Ground Training Command in Enugu, and the establishment of new Regiment Groups in Gembu, Taraba State; Ipetu Ijesha, Osun State; Owerri, Imo State, and Agatu, Benue State. New Units have equally been established in Plateau, Katsina, Gombe, Zamfara State, and Nasarawa States.

NAF Women of War
NAF Women of War

It is to the credit of the CAS that NAF fleets of aircraft have recorded unprecedented growth with the purchase of 16 brand new aircrafts, the reactivation of 13 previously grounded aircrafts, the release of funds for the purchase of 12 Super Tucano aircrafts from America and five attack/utility helicopters from Italy. The NAF currently has in its arsenals Alpha Jets, Super Mushshak aircrafts, Mi-35M helicopters, gunships, Bell 412 helicopters, Tsaigunmi UAV, among others.

Meanwhile, apart from improving the welfare of personnel through the provision of befitting accommodation and a conducive environment, the service has expanded its Post-Service Housing Programme to address the shelter needs of officers and airmen/airwomen as they prepare for retirement.

Nigerians in host communities are also beneficiaries of the magnanimity of the Nigerian Airforce, which just completed another new 60-bed NAF Reference Hospital in the North-East and upgraded equipment at its various medical centres, while also constructing new secondary schools and adding blocks of classrooms and hostel accommodations in existing NAF schools across the country.

It was therefore not surprising that the NAF in the last three-and-a-half years under the Air Chief Sadique Abubakar has conducted medical outreaches that treated 479,921 patients as at December 2018. The NAF’s school feeding programme for over 1,000 school children has, more so, greatly contributed to the number of pupils who have returned to school in the area.

Yushau A. Shuaib
Author, An Encounter with the Spymaster
www.YAShuaib.com

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
  • Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique
  • NAF
  • Women of War
Previous articleNigerian Army Redeploys Senior Military Officers
Next articleAgain, EFCC Nabs More Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan
Yushau A. Shuaib
Yushau A. Shuaib
https://prnigeria.com/

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter

Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka. image. Google

Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism Strategy

Nigerian Police Force

IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and his Brazilian counterpart, José Múcio Monteiro Filho, in Brasília

Nigeria, Brazil Deepen Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Industry

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu at Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, in Abuja

Tinubu Proposes Permanent Forum for African Defence Chiefs

Group photograph of VP Kashim Shettima, CDS General Musa, Minister Bello Matewale and Africa Chief of Defence Staff.

ECOWAS to Deploy 260,000-Man Counter-Terrorism Force, Pledges $2.5bn Annual Funding

Customs, CDCFIB Forge Partnership to Boost National Security

Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

General Musa Rallies African Defence Chiefs to Build Homegrown Security Solutions

Fake Major License

Army Hands Over Fake Major to Police in Lagos

Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

NDLEA Logo

Drug Kingpin, 5 Others Arrested as NDLEA Moves to Clear Innocent Pilgrims Detained in Saudi Arabia 

Military Troops in Action

Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Katsina, Rescue Abductees in Kogi

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter
  • NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65
  • Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism Strategy
  • IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba
  • C/River Partners BPSR, W/Bank on Governance Reforms, Development Agenda
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria's 250KW Superpower TransmitterNIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism StrategyIPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka OgujiubaC/River Partners BPSR, W/Bank on Governance Reforms, Development AgendaNigeria, Brazil Deepen Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, IndustryPantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian YouthTinubu Proposes Permanent Forum for African Defence ChiefsECOWAS to Deploy 260,000-Man Counter-Terrorism Force, Pledges $2.5bn Annual FundingCustoms, CDCFIB Forge Partnership to Boost National SecurityGeneral Musa Rallies African Defence Chiefs to Build Homegrown Security SolutionsArmy Hands Over Fake Major to Police in LagosAfrican Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward GabkwetTrade Facilitation: Nigeria Customs, NACCIMA Strengthen PartnershipDrug Kingpin, 5 Others Arrested as NDLEA Moves to Clear Innocent Pilgrims Detained in Saudi Arabia 
X whatsapp