The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for constructing a modern operational office complex, residential accommodation and other support infrastructure for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), describing the gesture as a major investment in the security and future of the South-East.
The Air Force Chief gave the commendation on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti at the Government House, Umuahia, shortly after attending the maiden South-East Security Summit convened by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.).
The visit came ahead of the formal handover of the newly completed facilities to the Nigerian Air Force, as the service prepares to commence operations in Abia State.
Before presenting the purpose of his visit, Aneke praised Governor Otti’s leadership and the transformation taking place across the state, saying Abia had undergone remarkable changes under the governor’s administration.
“Before I talk about the main reason for our visit, I want to praise the good work of your administration. It is evident; we’ve heard it from afar, and we have come, and we have seen that the Abia State we used to know and we used to read about is no longer the same,” the Air Chief said.
“As we drove through the City today, we clearly saw your strong leadership at work. The Nigerian Air Force sees your smart policies and heavy investment in infrastructure. It speaks for itself. Infrastructure is something you don’t need to talk about; you feel it, you touch it, and you work on it.
“You are building new roads that connect communities and reduce travel time. You’re improving hospitals so people can get good health care.
“You’re also growing the local economy to create jobs for the youth. Your excellent work is truly moving Abia State forward. And me being the son of the soil of this region, I’m proud of what you’re doing.”
Aneke said Governor Otti’s decision to provide the infrastructure needed for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force presence in Abia reflected a deep appreciation of the relationship between security and economic development.
“We commend you for making the new Abia a reality for every citizen to see and feel. Everybody knows the ingenuity of people from this part of the country, especially when it comes to commerce and economics. However, as a smart leader, you are very aware and also recognize that true progress requires security.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Air Force, I want to sincerely thank you and the good people of Abia State for supporting our work. Specifically, thank you for building and donating a brand new office complex and modern homes for our personnel. We also thank you for giving us over 120 hectares of land to build a permanent base for the Nigerian Air Force in Abia State.”
Describing the support as unprecedented, the Air Chief noted that governors often dispute military land allocations, making Abia’s gesture exceptional.
“This historic gift, we will never forget. In most cases, Governors are struggling to take our land. Here we have a Governor giving us land. I want to say, you are God-sent to the Air Force. Your Excellency, this gift is more than just buildings and land.
“It is a direct investment in the peace, security and future of Abia State and the entire region. Having a permanent base here helps us to work faster and better. It gives us the space we need to set up equipment and train our teams.
“Most importantly, it cuts down our response time whenever a security threat arises in the State and nearby areas. It allows us to use our aircraft and trained personnel to quickly fight kidnapping, banditry and other crimes. By giving us these modern facilities, you have taken a heavy burden off the federal government and the armed forces.
“You have made sure that our officers and men have a good place to work. You have also given them comfortable homes to return to after they risk their lives for the country. When our personnel know their families are comfortable and secure in very nice homes, they focus better on their duties.”
The Air Marshal further described Governor Otti as a visionary leader whose investments reflected long-term strategic thinking.
“We have not personally met, but sir, you have invested billions of your State money in the Air Force. I know the experiences I’m having with some Governors. Like I said, we’ve not met, but you have the strategic depth of mind. I use the word, and not lightly, the strategic depth of mind, to invest in something that most people might not understand what you’re doing.
“The strategic leader is that person that dreamt, went to that dreamland, lived it, came back, and is now carrying his people through that process. Not everybody has that tendency, and that’s what you have done. So, you have seen the future of your State, you have lived it before the people, you have come back, and you are taking them to that path.”
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the Chief of the Air Staff for approving the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base in Abia State, reiterating that security remains the cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda.
“Sometimes people do not know that it’s what you sow that you reap. For us here, security occupies the highest cadre in all our priorities. And it is understandable because if you don’t secure your place, then you can’t be talking of anything else.
“And I want to thank you for the approval to have a base here. The least we can do is to provide you with the enabling environment and the resources that you require to take off. And we will keep doing it.
“This is just the beginning. We are interested in your welfare. And like I said, it’s what you give that’s what you receive.”
The governor stressed that investing in security is less costly than dealing with the consequences of insecurity.
“Security is not cheap, but insecurity is even more expensive. So, if you say security is not cheap, if you try insecurity, then you will see how cheap it could be.
“I want to thank you; by tomorrow we will be handing over the facilities to you. And, I want to also thank you for giving instructions already to deploy men to us, and we look forward to receiving them.”
Governor Otti received the Air Chief alongside his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and the Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.), as Abia State prepares to formally hand over the new Nigerian Air Force office complex and support facilities to strengthen security operations in the state and the wider South-East region.
