The Nigerian Air Force witnessed a massive shake up as seven Air Vice Marshals (Two-star Generals) and some Air Commodores (One-star Generals) retired from its service after the mandatory 35 years in service, while others were retired on age limits.
This is coming just as the Air Force effected new postings to its operational commands and units across the country known as, Tri-Service Commands.
The officers proceeding on retirement after observing their “terminal leave” are the former Chief of Defence Communication, AVM Osmond Amu; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Defence Headquarters, AVM Dick Iruonagbere, and former Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, AVM Ahmed Muazu.
Others are the former Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, AVM Odesola; former Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, AVM Aprekuma; former Commandant of Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, AVM Clement Aroriode while it was gathered that the former Chief of Policy and Plans at HQ NAF, AVM Adekunle is to proceed on terminal leave prior to retirement.
New Air Officers Commanding
A statement on the NAF website reads: Following the recent promotion of its senior officers, the Nigerian Air Force has released the postings and appointments of some senior officer. Among the new senior appointments are two Commandants, three Air Officers Commanding and five Branch Chiefs at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force
The new Air Officers Commanding are Air Vice Marshal Ishaya Umar, former Chief of Training and Operations HQ NAF, now AOC Training Command, Kaduna; Air Vice Marshal Olufemi Idowu, former Director of Policy, HQ NAF, now Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Yenegoa; Air Vice Marshal Oyemaobi, former Chief of Standards and Evaluation HQ NAF, is the new AOC Tactical Air Command, Markudi; Air Vice Marshal Wakili Ahmed, former DO PLANS is the new SASO at Mobility Command.
The Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command in Lagos, AVM Aminu Adamu retained his position; AVM Nicholas Spiff, former Director of Administration at DHQ is the new Chief of Administration at HQ NAF.
For the Commandants of Tri-Service Institutions and Principal Staff Officers at NAF HQ, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Kure, formerly DOPRI, Air Secretary, and Chief of Administration at HQ NAF, now Commandant, Armed Force Command and Staff College, Jaji; Air Vice Marshal Moses Akinsanmi, formerly Commander PAF, Director of Operations DHQ and Managing Director NAF Post Housing, now Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos.
Air Vice Marshal Dilimono, formerly Deputy Commandant, NDA, is the new Chief of Training and Operations; Air Vice Marshal Ogunaike, formerly the Chief of Aircraft Engineering at NAF HQ is moved as the new Chief of Policy and Plans at HQ NAF; Air Vice Marshal Osim, formerly SASO at Training Command is the new Chief of Aircraft Engineering; Air Vice Marshal Zannah, formerly the Commander Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, now Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy.
Some Air Commodores posted are Air Commodore Emeka Ozoemena, one time DOPRI, now Commander, NAF Station, Jos; Air Commodore Gambo Ilyasu, formerly of AFCSC Jaji, now Director of Budget, Defence Headquarters; Air Commodore Musa Fari, formerly Commander NAF Camp now Director at HQ NAF,; Air Commodore Jeff-Zanni, formerly Deputy Director Plans, now Director Safety at HQ NAF and Air Commodore Chukwuma Mojekwu is the new MD NAF Post Housing.
“The postings and appointments which are with immediate effect are in line with the Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh’s efforts at transforming the Nigerian Air Force for greater operational efficiency” the statement concludes.
