Defence Ministry Provides New Accomodation for Non-Commission Officers in Abuja
In furtherance of its determination to meet the accommodation needs of personnel of the Armed Forces for effective and efficient service delivery, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) had handed over a Block of 20 single bedroom flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The new building, which is located at the NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja, was named after late Sergeant Adeoti Idowu who paid the supreme price while on internal security operations in the Northeastern part of Nigeria on 30 November 2013.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Permanent Secretary MOD, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, who was the Guest of Honour at the event, stated that the accommodation facility was executed in realization of the Ministry’s desire to ensure that personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), who continually devote their lives to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation, have befitting welfare packages. According to her, the MOD was determined to accord due attention to the well-being of troops and also continue to pursue welfare projects steadily, within the limit of available resources. She added that the MOD recognized its complementary role in enhancing the efforts of the AFN. Accordingly, the Ministry would continue to provide needed administrative and policy support for the AFN’s operations geared towards the realization of the Administration’s determination to restore and entrench security in every part of Nigeria. Mrs Batagarawa expressed her appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the cooperation extended to the Ministry by the NAF which aided the successful implementation of the project. She charged the beneficiaries to utilise the accommodation conscientiously and urged them to reciprocate the gesture by renewing their commitment to duty.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Administration (COA) Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, noted that the newly completed building and other projects awaiting commissioning by the MOD would go a long way towards ameliorating accommodation difficulties in the NAF. He said it was remarkable that in the space of just 4 years the MOD had delivered an unprecedented number of completed projects for the NAF, which, he said, was a marked departure from what used to be the case. He also noted that this feat was a testament to the current Federal Government Administration’s commitment to the welfare of personnel and their families. The COA therefore expressed the appreciation of the Service to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for providing the necessary support and enabling environment that had facilitated the execution of numerous projects for the AFN, thereby enabling the accomplishment of several operational feats. The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of keys to the beneficiaries of the new accommodation.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
