By Tola Gbadamosi

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding human rights and fostering civil-military harmony with the organisation of a Sensitisation Workshop for its newly appointed Civil-Military Relations (CMR), Human Rights, and Gender Desk Officers.

This was contained in a statement made available to The Hope by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.

According to the release, the workshop, held yesterday at the NAF Headquarters, formed part of the force’s continuous efforts to equip its personnel with the necessary skills to prevent human rights violations, mitigate civilian harm, and enhance inter-agency and civil-military cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, underscored the importance of these initiatives, stressing that they are crucial in ensuring the NAF operates ethically and remains mindful of its impact on the public.

The workshop attracted participants from various NAF commands, units, and operational theatres, with sessions covering key topics such as human rights, civilian harm mitigation, media interactions, reputation management, and inter-agency cooperation.

Renowned experts, Professor Ehiz Odigie, Dr. Sampson Terwase, and Mr. Peter Mancha, led the discussions, offering critical insights into improving non-kinetic operations.

Through these engagements, attendees gained a deeper understanding of their roles as desk officers, ensuring that their duties positively impact both the NAF and the civilian populations they serve.

Looking ahead, the NAF has outlined a series of follow-up actions to bolster its human rights and civil-military relations efforts.

These include targeted sensitisation visits to all NAF operational theatres and Command Headquarters throughout the year.

These campaigns will reinforce the importance of human rights awareness and civilian harm mitigation, ensuring that NAF personnel consistently uphold ethical military practices.

The NAF’s unwavering commitment to winning hearts and minds through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and community outreach programmes further highlights its dedication to fostering positive relationships with the Nigerian public.

With these initiatives, the NAF is setting a high standard for military professionalism and accountability, ensuring that its operations not only strengthen national security but also contribute to the well-being of the Nigerian people.