By DECAN
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is developing a sustainable formula to enable its personnel to own homes and improve their welfare.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while commissioning newly completed welfare and recreational facilities.
The projects include Airmen’s Quarters at Mogadishu Cantonment and Abacha Road, 065 Medical Officer’s Quarters and NAF Valley Base Sports Complex, Asokoro.
Aneke said the initiative reflected NAF’s deliberate commitment to improving personnel welfare, infrastructure and operational effectiveness.
He said discussions were ongoing with banks and relevant government agencies to address factors making housing expensive and limiting personnel’s access to affordable homeownership.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at ensuring that NAF personnel and their families enjoy improved living conditions during and after active service.
The CAS said military service required personnel to remain focused, physically fit and mentally prepared, making adequate accommodation and recreational facilities essential.
He said the newly commissioned accommodation would provide “a more conducive and secure living environment for our airmen.”
Aneke said the sports complex would promote “physical fitness, recreation, teamwork and esprit de corps” among personnel.
He described the projects as “another significant milestone” in NAF’s efforts to enhance personnel welfare and infrastructural development.
The CAS said the facilities represented more than physical structures, but “our deliberate commitment to improving the living conditions, physical well-being and overall effectiveness of our personnel.”
He disclosed that some accommodation blocks had been named after officers and airmen who paid the supreme price or distinguished themselves in operations.
The gesture, he said, would preserve the memory of fallen personnel, honour their sacrifices and inspire future generations of NAF personnel.
Aneke said the projects aligned with a key enabler of his leadership vision of “maintaining a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal.”
He commended all those who contributed to the completion of the projects and urged beneficiaries to ensure their proper maintenance and judicious use.
The CAS assured that NAF would continue, within available resources, to improve personnel’s living and working conditions.
He said such initiatives would further strengthen the Service’s capacity to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
