The Nigerian Air Force, Friday, decorated 47 senior officers with the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodores.
The decorated officers were charged to justify the confidence reposed in them by redoubling their commitment and loyalty to the Service.
In his remarks at the ceremony, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, noted that in the military, promotion is usually a painstaking procedure that involves the selection of the best out of the best for elevation.
According to him, “promotion no doubt is a management tool that is used to enhance productivity by recognizing hard work, commitment and diligence in every organisation including the military. It equally 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”.
Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, urged the promoted officers not to “lose sight of the ongoing fight against terrorism/banditry and all forms of criminality as it is your mandate to preserve national security and territorial integrity”.
In his words, “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.”
