Amosu takes over as Nigeria’s new Chief of Air Staff

The new Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu, promised to fight insurgency.

Nigeria’s new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu, on Monday in Abuja took from his predecessor, Air Marshall Alex Badeh.

Mr. Amosu promised to put machinery in place to curtail the menace of insurgency in the North East.

Speaking at the handing/taking over ceremony, Mr. Amosu expressed his determination to build on the successes and achievements of his predecessors with a view to moving the Nigeria Airforce, NAF, to greater height.

“Effort would be put in place to curtail the menace of insurgency in the North East with a view to restore peace in the region,” he said. “We shall not relent in our efforts to bring an end to the activities of the insurgents in the North East.”

He urged commanders to explore possibilities of having dialogue with the men in the field to ensure effective fight against terrorism in the region.

“We need more commitment, dedication and extra sacrifice to win war against terrorism,” he said. “We will strive to continue with the good work done by my predecessors to ensure that the NAF reaches an enviable height”.

The military chief said no stone will be left `untouched’ in the course of discharging his duty of ensuring effective service delivery in the NAF.

Earlier, the outgone Chief of Air Staff, Alex Badeh, expressed confidence in the ability of his successor to promote the image of NAF to the desired level.

“I am happy today that I am handing over the leadership of the NAF to a capable hand, because I know he is perfectly fit for the job,” Mr. Badeh said.

Mr. Badeh thanked the federal government, members of the National Assembly, and the officers and personnel of NAF for their support throughout his tenure.

“I wish to express my profound appreciation to the Federal Government and members of the National Assembly for their unrelenting support and commitment to the task of transforming the NAF to be self reliant and highly professional force”.

Mr. Amosu, who hails from Lagos State, was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 25th Regular Course on January 3, 1979.

He was commissioned pilot officer on July 3, 1981 and was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal on July 3, 2010.

Until his appointment as the 19th CAS on January 16, Mr. Amosu was the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command Makurdi.

(NAN)