Cynthia Ezegwu
The Nigerian Air Force has approved a major redeployment of senior officers to key command and staff positions as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and align with the leadership vision of the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
No fewer than 19 Air Vice Marshals have been appointed to new roles, while six others were posted to various defence and inter-service establishments.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, announced the changes in a statement on Friday, noting that the restructuring was designed to strengthen coordination, improve decision-making, and boost readiness in tackling current security challenges.
Under the new postings, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi was appointed Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun takes over as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna. AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye becomes Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies.
Others include AVM Precious Amadi as Chief of Operations; AVM Nnamdi Ananaba as Chief of Air Intelligence; AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe 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 departments, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina was named Chief of Aircraft Engineering, while AVM Michael Onyebashi assumes command as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command. AVM David Pwajok becomes Chief of Communication and Information Systems, and AVM John Ukeh was appointed Air Provost Marshal.
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To further strengthen administrative and welfare operations, AVM Simon Peter was appointed Managing Director of NAFIL Housing and Construction Company, AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka as Air Secretary, AVM Anthony Martins as Chief of Administration, and AVM Abubakar Sule as Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command.
Others include AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun as Managing Director, NAF Farms; AVM Edward Gabkwet as Chief of Civil-Military Relations; and AVM Osichinaka Ubadike as Deputy Commandant, AFIT.
The statement added that 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 bolster joint military operations.
The redeployment comes barely 24 hours after Air Marshal Aneke assumed office and a day after the Nigerian Army also announced a similar reorganisation of its top commanders.