INSECURITY: How I’ll Deploy Media Narratives to Showcase NAF’s Strides – Maigida, Airforce Spokesperson

INSECURITY: How I’ll Deploy Media Narratives to Showcase NAF’s Strides – Maigida, Airforce Spokesperson

The newly-appointed Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Air Commodore Wapkerem Martin Maigida, stressed the need for a mutual collaboration between their NAF and the Nigerian media towards enhancing the fight against insecurity, in the country.

In the interim, Maigida, however assured that their Public Relations and Information Directorate will leverage on the mainstream, as well as online and social media platforms to tell the success stories of their NAF.

He made the appeal while taking over from his predecessor, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, at a brief handing-over ceremony at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

According to Maigida, a genuine partnership between their NAF and the media is key to overcoming the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation.

These partnership efforts, must be anchored on trust and mutual respect for each other, he said.

Added the new NAF spokesperson: “Let me assure that going forward, the Directorate of Public Relations and Information under my watch, will keep forging ahead with its media campaigns mandate, leveraging on the mainstream, as well as online and social media platforms to tell the success stories of the NAF.

“Thus, the NAF and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria must continue to utilize the media space to drive home the right narratives regarding its active participation in enhancing national security”.

Commodore Maigida, while speaking further, appreciated the immense contributions of his immediate predecessor, Air Commodore Gabkwet, assuring that he will consolidate on his (Gabkwet’s) achievements.

He urged defence correspondents to remain steadfast as they carry out their watch-dog function of informing and enlightening the public, while also bringing them to speed on happenings within the defence and security circle.

His words: “You must ensure to use your reportage and medium to shape public perception and views about your Air Force towards endearing national defence and security.

“Thus, I believe this will boost the combat effectiveness and efficiency of the NAF towards harnessing the requisite airpower capabilities to confront enemies of our dear nation”.

Born on 3 December 1973, Air Cdre Wapkerem Martin Maigida, hails from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, PRNigeria gathered.

He was admitted to the Nigerian Defence Academy on 17 August 1990 as a member of 42 Regular Course, and was commissioned Pilot Officer on 16 September 1995.

The senior officer has attended several military and civil courses which include: Initial Personnel and Administrative Management Officers Course at 325 Ground Training Group Kaduna from 1996 – 1997; Junior Command and Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna in 2001; Senior Command and Staff Course at the Air Force Command College Beijing, China from 2006 – 2007; International Public Affairs Officers Course at the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre – SWEDINT in 2010; and Civil Military Relations/Cooperation Course at Indonesian National Defence Forces Peacekeeping Centre, Indonesia in 2014.

The rest are: Deputy Spokesman Course at the Joint Information Activities Group, Royal Air Force Base Halton United Kingdom in 2016; Air War Course at the Air Force War College Makurdi in 2016; National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Abuja from 2017 – 2018; Bachelor of Arts Degree in History at the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna from 1990 – 1994; Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertisement at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos from 1997 – 1998; and Master of Science Degree in Security and Strategic Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna from 2019 – 2020.

Both internationally and locally, Air Commodore Maigida has held the following appointments: Administrative Officer at the Base Services Group, Kaduna from 1996 – 1997; Group Public Relations Officer at 99 Air Weapons School, Kainji from 1998 – 1999; Staff Officer Grade 2 Information (SO2) at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Directorate of Public Relations and Information, Lagos 1999 – 2002; Military Observer at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone from 2003 – 2004; Aid-De-Camp (ADC) to the Chief of the Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force from 2004 – 2006; Public Relations Officer at the Joint Task Force, Warri 2007; Staff Officer Grade 1 (SO1) at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Directorate of Public Relations and Information, Abuja 2008 – 2010; and Command Public Relations Officer at the Tactical Air Command, Makurdi in 2010.

The rest are: Staff Officer Grade 1 (SO1) Community Relations at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Directorate of Public Relations, Abuja from 2010 – 2014; Deputy Director Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja from 2014 – 2016; Deputy Director Civil-Military Relations Headquarters Nigerian Air Force in 2017; Deputy Director Public Relations and Information at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja from 2018 – 2019; Deputy Director Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja from 2019 – 2021; and Acting Director Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja from 2021 – 2022, among others.

The new NAF spokesperson is a member of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and is happily married and blessed with 3 children. His hobbies are playing golf and traveling.

By PRNigeria