By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Nigerian Air Force was to give stimulus package to over two thousand (2000) host communities
across the country to some selected families, as five hundred (500) families were to get the food items in four communities within the Federal Capital Territory.
The benefited communities in Abuja were to include Nuwualege, Zamani and Ushafa Communities.
This unprecedented gesture was designed to ameliorate the sufferings inflicted to the citizens due to the lockdown and stay at home regime installed by the FG to curb the spread of the ravaging novel corona virus plaguing the global community, Nigeria inclusive.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar stated this in a message at the flag-off of the distribution in Nuwalege community in Abuja as part of activities to mark the fifty sixth anniversary of the Air Force.
This is coming at the time the NAF is celebrating her fifty sixth (56) years of its existence as a service.
The NAF was formally established on the 18 April,1964 following the passage of NAF Athe1964 by the National Assembly.
The anniversary of this kind was hitherto marked with fanfare and medical outreaches to the host communities but this year’s edition is with a low key of events due to the observances of social distancing, stay at home and lockdown as a result of Coronavirus pandemic.
But due to the pandamic, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the Force would assist families in its host communities .
Represented by the Chief of Policy and plans, Air Force Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of Air Staff stated that NAF decided to observe a low key celebration due to the mood of the nation.
”What we usually have before is distribution of palliative to support the poor and the needy in this lockdown period and we have being to many communities”.
Speaking at the presentation of the items to the beneficiaries at Nuwalege community, the Commander 053 HQ NAF Camp, Abuja, Air Commodore Peter Simon, observed that, “the Year 2020 is proving to be a special one that has brought with it unexpected turn of events in our socio-economic lives and as early as this time of the year everybody is wondering what the Post COVID 19 period will look like.
“In view of the turn of events thrust upon us by the prevailing circumstances, the Chief of the Air Staff in his wisdom has directed that the 56th NAF Day Celebration should be flagged off with the distribution of palliatives to the poor and vulnerable groups in the host communities of NAF Bases nationwide and we are privileged to have the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar DFS in person to flag off this series of events that is aimed at meeting the needs of thousands of families nationwide”.
He added that “for this first phase of the programme the target is about 500 families covering the Nuwalege Community and Zamani Community off Bill Clinton Drive as well as the Ushafa Community in Bwari Area Council. Therefore, today alone there shall be distribution of palliatives to three different communities starting with Nuwalege Community where we are right now. Other communities around this area will also be visited by other groups during the week.
“Permit me to thank the Chief of the Air Staff for this initiative which is one just one of several ways in which the Nigerian Air Force under the able leadership of Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar is adding value to the Nigerian society. Time will not permit me to mention specific areas but suffice it to say that whether in combat air operations, ground operations or civil military relations activities the Nigerian Air Force under the leadership of our amiable Chief of the Air Staff is always striving to add value to the Nigerian society and contribute its quota to nation building”.
It is expected that the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association NAFOWA, will assist in the distribution palliative to the people
