Air Force Boosts Welfare for Personnel, Families

Chiemelie Ezeobi

In a bid to further boost the welfare of its personnel and their families, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), yesterday commenced construction of a modern day market facility at the Sam Ethnan Base in Ikeja, Lagos.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony, was represented by the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahaya.

Noting that welfare is a key driver in his administration he said, “It is true we live in perilous timed with several challenges. The impact of global socio-economic challenges on our everyday lives further includes domestic stress rising from demand and supply of our daily needs.

“We need markets to create an interaction that will lead to the ultimate desired goal in our daily lives. Anyone with a product or service cannot expect that a customer will look for your goods at your home regularly.

“This underscores the need for a modern market with standard facilities to satisfy the needs of the personnel and other beneficiaries from our host communities.

“The design of the market was conceived to meet modern standards and in conformity with NAF culture of excellence. There will be no room for criminal elements to be harboured as the facility is designed to professional standards with adequate provisions to carter for all our social needs.

“Moreover, to ensure high standards which the NAF is always proud to be associated with, our personnel would be given prime priority to acquire and operate the new market facilities.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director, NAF Properties Limited, Air Commodore Musa Tanko, said this welfare boost would provide services and support to personnel, families and members of its host community in Lagos.

He said, “Its a truism that welfare is a morale booster to personnel. This I believe underlies the infrastructural development drive of this present administration. Consequently, one of the key drivers of the CAS in achieving his vision is to reinforce a culture of self reliance and prudent management of resources.

“As part of the several efforts to consolidate on the achievements of the current administration on personnel welfare, NAF Properties Limited keyed into the vision of the CAS by desiring to construct about 400 locked up shops with modern market facilities to serve NAF personnel in Lagos and its host community.

“The groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony officially marks the beginning of construction and it will boost and enrich the confidence of our families we leave them at home and move from one place to another to defend our fatherland.

“It is also important to add that the establishment of this market is a demonstration of the commitment of the NAF to its ethos aptly captured in the CAS for the air force.

“The ethos is reposition the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives.

“It is therefore no gainsaying that the construction of the market is in line with the current administration’s highly laudable efforts to improve personnel welfare and quality infrastructural development of its personnel.

“The essence of constructing this market is to provide support and reduce stress in terms of proximity and timeliness to our daily needs. This will greatly reduce the chance of personnel and their families going to town for purchases or engaging in business activities.”

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