The Nigerian Air Force has approved the redeployment of several senior officers to key command and staff positions as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and align its structure with the leadership vision of the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
No fewer than 19 officers received new appointments, while six others were posted to various defence and inter-service establishments.
A statement on Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the restructuring was aimed at improving decision-making, strengthening coordination across units and commands, and reinforcing readiness in response to current security challenges.
Under the new postings, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi becomes Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun assumes duty as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye was appointed Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies.
AVM Precious Amadi is now Chief of Operations, just as AVM Nnamdi Ananaba becomes Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe will serve as Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, and AVM Ahmed Dari as Chief of Training. The Transformation and Innovation Branch will be headed by AVM Mohammed Ibrahim.
“In the logistics and engineering domains, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina has been appointed Chief of Aircraft Engineering, and AVM Michael Onyebashi assumes command as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command. AVM David Pwajok is now Chief of Communication and Information Systems, while AVM John Ukeh takes charge as Air Provost Marshal.
“Further reinforcing NAF’s administrative and welfare structures, AVM Simon Peter has been appointed Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company, while AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka becomes Air Secretary. AVM Anthony Martins now serves as Chief of Administration, AVM Abubakar Sule takes over as AOC, Logistics Command, and AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun has been appointed Managing Director, NAF Farms. The new Chief of Civil-Military Relations is AVM Edward Gabkwet, while AVM Osichinaka Ubadike has been named Deputy Commandant, AFIT, ” the statement added.
The statement added that other senior officers — including AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman and Japheht Ekwuribe — have been deployed to various defence and inter-service establishments to strengthen joint operations.
The Chief of the Air Staff assumed office on Thursday, and the redeployment exercise followed the following day.
His decision to reshuffle senior officers comes just a day after his counterpart in the Nigerian Army also announced a major reorganisation of top commanders.
(Punch)
