The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, has said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will give serious consideration to the request by the Abia State Government for the establishment of a military training institution in the state.
Aneke gave the assurance on Friday during the formal handover of the newly constructed Nigerian Air Force Administrative Complex in Umuahia by Governor Alex Otti to the Federal Government.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), senior military officers, government officials and other dignitaries.
Speaking after receiving the facility, the Air Chief described the project as an unprecedented investment in national security by a state government, saying it would strengthen the Air Force's operational capacity in the South-East.
"This gesture transcends politics. It goes far beyond bricks and mortar. It is a defining contribution to national defence and stability and a trailblazing legacy that will bear your name in the annals of Nigeria's security architecture.
"Indeed, these facilities will serve as a robust foundation for NAF operations in Abia, enabling us to discharge our constitutional mandates with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
"A lot of people may not understand why I keep praising His Excellency. In my nine to 10 months as Chief of the Air Staff, this is about the first time a governor has called me and handed over infrastructure of this magnitude. He has taken a huge burden off my shoulders," Aneke said.
The Air Marshal assured the governor that personnel deployed to Abia would prioritise the safety and wellbeing of residents while also responding positively to the state's request for a military training institution.
"We will give serious consideration to your request for the establishment of a military training institution in Abia State," he said.
Earlier, Governor Otti formally handed over the facility to the Chief of the Air Staff and the Minister of Defence on behalf of the Federal Government.
The newly completed complex comprises a fully furnished administrative block with an auditorium, conference hall, clinic, armoury, registry, offices, kitchen, canteens and other operational facilities. It also includes a guardroom, quarter guard, gatehouse, observatory post and works unit.
The governor also announced that his administration had allocated 120 hectares of land at the site of the ongoing Abia Airport project in Nsulu for the construction of a permanent Nigerian Air Force Base.
According to him, work on the base will commence immediately after the completion of the airport runway.
Otti described the establishment of a permanent Air Force presence in Abia as a major milestone in strengthening the state's security architecture.
He said the project demonstrates what can be achieved when the Federal Government and state governments work together in pursuit of a common security objective.
"For us, the right to security for our people, whether they are residents or visitors, is non-negotiable," he said.
The governor noted that the arrival of the Nigerian Air Force completes the presence of Nigeria's three military services in Abia, following the establishment of the Nigerian Army's Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks in Ohafia and the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance in Owerinta.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force for approving the establishment of the Air Force presence in the state, pledging his administration's continued support.
Governor Otti disclosed that residential accommodation had already been secured for Air Force personnel in different parts of Umuahia to facilitate their immediate deployment.
He added that the state government plans to collaborate with the Air Force in education and human capital development, noting that the partnership would extend beyond security operations.
According to him, his administration's investments in infrastructure, education and economic development are aimed at addressing the underlying causes of insecurity while creating opportunities for the people.
The governor also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abiodun Lagbaja, during the security challenges that followed the killing of soldiers in Abia in May 2024.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence commended Governor Otti for demonstrating practical commitment to national security through investment in critical infrastructure.
Musa described security as a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among governments, security agencies and citizens.
He urged Air Force personnel posted to Abia to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and foster cordial relations with residents.
"I want to charge the Nigerian Air Force that your personnel coming here should make Abia State a better place. We don't want to hear issues arising because of your presence. Already, good things are happening; make it better," the minister said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, and the Governor's Special Adviser on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.), said the project reflects the Otti administration's commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
They explained that the governor not only allocated land and presented the Certificate of Occupancy to the Nigerian Air Force but also ensured the construction of the facility in line with the service's operational specifications and under its direct supervision.
According to them, the project forms part of the government's broader strategy to strengthen security as a foundation for sustainable development and economic growth in Abia State.
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