THE Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, for constructing a modern office complex and providing befitting accommodation for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), as it prepares to formally commence operations in the State.
Air Marshal Aneke described the Governor’s gesture as a direct investment in the peace, security, and future of Abia State and the South-East region.
The Air Force Chief spoke on Thursday, July 30, during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti at the Government House, Umuahia, after participating in the maiden South-East Security Summit convened by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, Rtd., and hosted by the Abia State Government.
Before stating the purpose of the visit, Air Marshal Aneke commended Governor Otti’s visionary and strategic leadership, describing him as a leader who is ahead of his time.
He gave an eyewitness account of the remarkable transformation taking place across Abia State under Governor Otti’s leadership, noting that the level of development he witnessed was a sharp departure from the perception many people previously had of the State.
In his words: ‘Before I talk about the main reason for our visit, I want to praise the good work of your administration. It is evident; we’ve heard it from afar, and we have come, and we have seen that the Abia State we used to know and we used to read about is no longer the same.
‘As we drove through the City today, we clearly saw your strong leadership at work. The Nigerian Air Force sees your smart policies and heavy investment in infrastructure. It speaks for itself. Infrastructure is something you don’t need to talk about; you feel it, you touch it, and you work on it. You are building new roads that connect communities and reduce travel time. You’re improving hospitals so people can get good health care.
‘You’re also growing the local economy to create jobs for the youth. Your excellent work is truly moving Abia State forward. And me being the son of the soil of this region, I’m proud of what you’re doing,’” the CAS stated.
He noted that the Governor’s commitment to providing the infrastructure required for the Nigerian Air Force to establish operations in Abia demonstrates a clear understanding of the critical role security plays in driving sustainable economic growth and attracting investment.
“We commend you for making the new Abia a reality for every citizen to see and feel. Everybody knows the ingenuity of people from this part of the country, especially when it comes to commerce and economics. However, as a smart leader, you are very aware and also recognize that true progress requires security.
‘On behalf of the Nigerian Air Force, I want to sincerely thank you and the good people of Abia State for supporting our work. Specifically, thank you for building and donating a brand new office complex and modern homes for our personnel. We also thank you for giving us over 120 hectares of land to build a permanent base for the Nigerian Air Force in Abia State.
‘This historic gift, we will never forget. In most cases, Governors are struggling to take our land. Here we have a Governor giving us land. I want to say, you are God-sent to the Air Force. Your Excellency, this gift is more than just buildings and land.
‘It is a direct investment in the peace, security and future of Abia State and the entire region. Having a permanent base here helps us to work faster and better. It gives us the space we need to set up equipment and train our teams.
‘Most importantly, it cuts down our response time whenever a security threat arises in the State and nearby areas. It allows us to use our aircraft and trained personnel to quickly fight kidnapping, banditry and other crimes. By giving us these modern facilities, you have taken a heavy burden off the federal government and the armed forces.
‘You have made sure that our officers and men have a good place to work. You have also given them comfortable homes to return to after they risk their lives for the country. When our personnel know their families are comfortable and secure in very nice homes, they focus better on their duties,’” a delighted Air Marshal Aneke stated.
Speaking further, he said: “We have not personally met, but sir, you have invested billions of your State money in the Air Force. I know the experiences I’m having with some Governors. Like I said, we’ve not met, but you have the strategic depth of mind. I use the word, and not lightly, the strategic depth of mind, to invest in something that most people might not understand what you’re doing.
‘The strategic leader is that person that dreamt, went to that dreamland, lived it, came back, and is now carrying his people through that process. Not everybody has that tendency, and that’s what you have done. So, you have seen the future of your State, you have lived it before the people, you have come back, and you are taking them to that path”, the decorated Air Force Chief stated.
While welcoming the Chief of Air Staff and his entourage, Governor Otti commended him for his dedication to duty and can-do spirit, and thanked him for approving the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base in Abia State.
The Governor reiterated that security remains a top priority of his administration, stressing that without a secure environment, nothing else can thrive.
“Sometimes people do not know that it’s what you sow that you reap. For us here, security occupies the highest cadre in all our priorities. And it is understandable because if you don’t secure your place, then you can’t be talking of anything else.
“And I want to thank you for the approval to have a base here. The least we can do is to provide you with the enabling environment and the resources that you require to take off. And we will keep doing it.
‘This is just the beginning. We are interested in your welfare. And like I said, it’s what you give that’s what you receive,” the Governor stated.
Speaking further, he said, “Security is not cheap, but insecurity is even more expensive. So, if you say security is not cheap, if you try insecurity, then you will see how cheap it could be.
‘I want to thank you; by tomorrow we will be handing over the facilities to you. And, I want to also thank you for giving instructions already to deploy men to us, and we look forward to receiving them.”
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Governor Otti was joined by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and the Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd), to receive the Chief of Air Staff,
Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and his entourage.
