The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, was on October 25, 2023, presented with documents for 43.746 hectares of land allocated to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) by the Kaduna State Government.
The documents were handed over to the CAS in a brief ceremony held at NAF Headquarters by the Administrator of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA), Sam Aruwan, who represented the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Sani Uba. After the presentation, an elated CAS expressed his gratitude to Governor Uba and the good people of Kaduna State for the kind gesture which symbolizes the enduring and harmonious relationship between the NAF and Kaduna State, dating back to the 1960s. Air Marshal Abubakar also noted that Kaduna State, being home of NAF’s premier Base, remains home to the NAF and its personnel, serving and retired, irrespective of their states of origin. He then assured that the land would be put to good use for the development of affordable Post-service Housing Estates that would mostly benefit NAF Senior Non-Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that under his leadership, the NAF remains committed to the well-being of its personnel bearing in mind that the operational successes of the NAF are majorly hinged on a highly motivated force. According to the CAS, “The most valuable resource that the NAF possesses is its personnel and without well-motivated and dedicated personnel, the most sophisticated weapon system will be ineffective.” He also added that the plan to develop the allocated land for the development of affordable houses for NAF personnel aptly aligns with one of the key enablers of his Command Philosophy of maintaining a highly motivated force by strengthening both welfare and infrastructure.
The allocated 43.746 hectares of land is the first of two approvals expected from the Kaduna State Government. The second approval of another 44.894 hectares is being anticipated upon completion of all due processes as outlined by KCTA.