Home / News / Local / Buhari writes NASS, seeks confirmation of Service Chiefs’ appointments; As Amao assumes office as new Chief of Air Staff

Buhari writes NASS, seeks confirmation of Service Chiefs’ appointments; As Amao assumes office as new Chief of Air Staff

President Buhari with Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff as he meets with Newly Appointed Service Chiefs in State House on 27th Jan 2021

By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, Jan. 29, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has communicated the appointment of the Service Chiefs to the National Assembly, seeking for their confirmation by the Senate.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Babajide Omoworare, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
He said that the letter, addressed to the President of the Senate, was dated Jan. 27.
“This was done in furtherance of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” he said.
Omoworare said that this was contrary to fears being expressed in certain quarters that the president had “bypassed” the National Assembly in the appointment of the service chiefs and that he (Buhari) had no intention of seeking consideration and confirmation of their appointment.
“The president, upon nomination for appointment, sought confirmation of the Senate for the appointments of Maj- Gen. Lucky Irabor, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Rear Admr Awwal Gambo and AVM Isiaka Amao as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff respectively, vide his aforementioned letter.
“It is on record that this same procedure was adopted when the immediate past service chiefs were appointed,” he said.
Omoworare expressed the hope that, as the National Assembly resumes plenary on Feb. 9, the president’s communication for consideration and confirmation of the nominations would be undertaken.

Amao assumes office as new Chief of Air Staff

Abuja, Jan. 29, 2021

The new Chief of Air Staff (CAS) AVM Oladayo Amao,has taken over the mantle of leadership of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in a colourful handing – over ceremony by his predecessor, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, accepted the immediate resignation of the service chiefs, and their retirement from the service.

The President had subsequently announced the appointment of AVM Oladapo Amao, as the new CAS.

NAN also reports that in line with the Nigerian Air Force tradition, the outgone CAS decorated his successor with the medal of office.

Abubakar, while handing over the mantle of leadership, recalled that his administration succeeded in turning NAF around into a highly professional service.

“In 2015, we set out to reposition NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force and we clearly defined how we intended to do that through capacity building initiatives.

“I am very excited that we have not only restructured the service substantially, we have also embarked on massive air operations in different parts of the country, especially in the North-East.

“In the North-East alone, we have been able to generate over 37,000 flying hours and we have also restructured NAF, and brought in quite a number of personnel into the system.

“We have brought in about 10,000 personnel that are currently in the system, in terms of the key personnel required for the employment of air power.

“We have been able to train 133 pilots and these represent about 49 percent of the total active pilots that are flying to defend the country today,“ he said.

Abubakar urged the new CAS to ensure he consolidated on the achievement of his administration by taking the service to greater heights.

The new CAS, Amao, expressed delight while receiving the baton of leadership of the service from his predecessor whom he described as a visionary leader.

He also expressed appreciation to God for the gift of life and the rare opportunity and privilege to be appointed the 21st air chief.

Amao thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence he reposed in him for the appointment as the air chief.

“It is no mean feat and I therefore take this opportunity most seriously.

“Let me specially thank the outgone air chief for his unprecedented and exemplary leadership throughout his tenure. Sir, you have no doubt left indelible marks in the sands of time.

“Your undeniable drive for human capacity building, infrastructural development, research and development amongst others is testament to your desire for a better NAF,” he said.

Amao promised to consolidate on the good work of his predecessor for a better Nigerian Air Force.

About Global Patriot Staff

Check Also

My Excitement: The Joy of the Lord By Isaac Megbolugbe

The Joy of the LORD is my utmost delight! It fills my heart with uncontainable …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *