By Tola Gbadamosi

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved another milestone in its quest for self-sufficiency through local training, as the first batch of participants the Pilot Basic Safety Course 1/2024 graduated today at the Air Force Research and Development Institute (AFRDI), Ipetu-Ijesa.

The graduating students included one retired senior officer and 15 officers, making a total of 16 participants.

Representing the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, the Director General of AFRDI, Air Vice Marshal Pius Oguega Oahimire, described the initiative as a significant step towards enhancing the safety culture within the Nigerian Air Force and the broader aviation industry.

In his address, Air Vice Marshal Oahimire commended the institute for its excellence in safety training, noting that it has become a hub for human capacity development.

“Since its establishment, this institute has consistently produced streams of young safety thinkers for the service,” he said, adding that the new graduating batch represents another milestone in promoting a safety mindset among our personnel.

The training, which aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Air Force into an agile and resilient force capable of meeting airpower demands in diverse operational environments, lasted for four weeks.

He urged the graduates to pursue continuous self-development and work with their commanders to inculcate good safety habits in their respective deployments.

“This institute has played a pivotal role in moulding the graduands into safety-conscious professionals. I implore you to keep the fire of safety burning and extend its light across the Nigerian Air Force and the nation,” he said.

Speaking, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Barrister Samuel Oludare Ojo, congratulated the institute on its accomplishments and highlighted Osun State’s status as one of Nigeria’s safest regions, attributing this to citizen vigilance and the proactive efforts of security agencies.