By Milton Tella – Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff who was in the United Kingdom as the keynote speaker at the 21st International Fighter Conference paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria High Commissioner, His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola on Thursday 4th November 2021.
The International Fighter Conference is a veritable platform for military combat aircraft pilots to share ideas and experiences towards achieving higher standards of excellence in flying.
The Chief of Air Staff, a seasoned fighter pilot and instructor who had also held command across various capacities including, the Armed Forces Training College as well as serving as the Commander of the Air Component of the Operations Lafiya Dole and Zaman Lafiya. The visit was a back to the house experience. He has served as Deputy Defence Adviser (Air) at the Nigeria High Commission, London from 2010 – 2012.
Air Marshal Amao touched on the insecurity challenges at home, noting that the Air Force is fully committed to the fight against insurgency. He seized the occasion to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for making resources available to the Nigerian Air Force for the execution of its anti-insurgency activities.
He highlighted the challenges in procurement of much needed military assets, which cannot be bought off-the-shelf. These equipment usually take between two and three years from the date of payment to their actual delivery and gave an example of the Super Tucano Aircraft, for which payment was made in 2016 and the Air Force only took delivery of the equipment earlier in the year. Nonetheless, he informed that the equipment have already been deployed to the theatre of operations with huge results. He stressed that insurgents are currently surrendering and that those who remain unrepentant, would be neutralized in quick time.
He concluded by reiterating his appreciation to the High Commissioner and prayed for success in his reform agenda to the High Commission London.
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola in response commended the visiting Chief of the Air Staff for finding time to visit the High Commission. He expressed his understanding with regards to the challenges of the Air Force and the insecurity challenges in the country.
He noted that nothing was as challenging as engaging the paraphernalia of war for internal security purposes but such was the challenge of Nigeria at the moment especially with regards to forthcoming electioneering campaigns which often tend to create tensions. He however affirmed that the armed forces would continue to meet and defeat the challenges of the country.
Ambassador Isola further expressed delight at the brilliant career of the Chief of the Air Staff as well as the professionalism that is displayed by the Nigerian Air Force which he said, could be his preference, if he were to serve in any of Nigeria’s Security Services.
Accompanying the High Commissioner, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola to receive the Chief of the Air Staff were officials of the Nigeria High Commission London: Amb. Sani Suleiman, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Nuradeen A. Biu, Minister/Head Information, Culture and Sports, Mr Bukar Abdulsalam, Minister/ Deputy Head Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Basil M. Okolo Minister/ Head Political Affairs, Mr Paulinus Nwokoro Minister/Head Consular, Education and Welfare, Mr Oludare Folowosele Minister/ Head Immigration, Mr S.D. Muhammad Minister/ COP, Mrs Rose Yakowa-Okoh, Head of Chancery, Dr. Victory Jaja First Secretary Administration.
Others are officers from the Defence Section Gp Capt F.S. Ma’aji Deputy Defence Adviser (Air) and Nigeria University Commission, Mr Yusuf Kankiya NUC Liaison Officer.
In the delegation of the Chief of Air Staff was also Air Vice-Marshal C. Ogwuche, Chief of Accounts and Budget who has also held several top profile positions in the Nigerian Air Force including as a Directing Staff of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Director for Finance and Accounts at the College. He had also chaired the Defence Committee on the Harmonization of Armed Forces Allowances among others.
The Aide-de-Camp of the Chief of the Air Staff, Squadron Leader Samuel Haastrup was also introduced and described as a fighter pilot and instructor who has participated in major Air Force security operations within the country.
While in London, Air Marshal Amao also paid a courtesy call on the Chief of the Air Staff of the United Kingdom, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, and secured the commitment of the Royal Air Force, to dedicate training slots to Nigerian Air Force Personnel as well as to contribute to the enhancement of Nigeria Airpower and Airspace security capacity.
During the courtesy visit to Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Air Marshal Amao, harped on “the need for the NAF to devise means of conserving energy and take preemptive measures and steps towards safeguarding military hardware and equipment against the effect of climate change is imperative.
“As a way forward, the CAS stated that the NAF will soon commence the implementation of projects to power NAF Bases nationwide while also undertaking Research and Development on synthetic fuels and electric support equipment.
“He also stated that through the integration of synthetic and simulation devices, the NAF would work towards the acquisition of new NAF Air Training systems.
“Air Marshal Amao used the opportunity of the visit to seek partnership with the RAF in the areas of curriculum development as well as the establishment of NAF Air and Space Power Warfare Centre and the Centre for Air Power Studies.
“He also solicited for additional capacity building opportunities in aviation medicine, combat search and rescue as well as rescue and regiment training for NAF personnel.
“Other areas of support and collaboration highlighted by the CAS included aircrew and technical training and support, and provision of training slots in the RAF Centre for Air and Space Power Studies and Air and Space Power Warfare Centre.”
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