By Solomon Ikechukwu
The Nigerian Air Force has decorated the 47 newly promoted senior officers with the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodores.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said that in the military, promotion is usually a painstaking procedure that involves the selection of the best out of the best for elevation.
He added that promotion is a management tool that is used to enhance productivity by recognizing hard work, commitment and diligence in every organisation including the military.
He explained that promotion also motivates and inspires others to work harder.
“You have all therefore been found worthy of this advancement. As such, bear in mind that you don’t get promoted only for doing your job really well but also for demonstrating potentials to do more especially at higher levels. I therefore enjoin you to see your promotion as the beginning of another phase of your career in the service and greater responsibilities.
“Thus, I am particularly elated because this ceremony is indicative that the Nigerian Air Force now has more strategic and analytical minds in our pool of manpower resource to bring to bear their knowledge and experience on how to tackle the security challenges facing the nation,” the Chief of Air Staff said.
Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, charged the promoted officers not to lose sight of the ongoing fight against terrorism/banditry and all forms of criminality as it is their mandate to preserve national security and territorial integrity.
He said: “promotion, especially to air rank is highly desirable and motivating. It is equally rewarding but most importantly demanding. It is demanding because as officers of air rank, the Service has offered you all manners and levels of training required to stand on your own and lead from a more holistic or strategic point of view.
“Having been equipped with these skills the Service and indeed the nation now rely on you to bring to bear all the knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and critical thinking capacity that you have garnered over the years to foster a greater Nigeria”.
Photo: The CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (left), and Mrs Adenike Daramola (right) in a group photograph with Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola (middle) after his decoration.
