President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that he has not reneged on
his promise to end Boko Haram and other forms of criminalities during
his inauguration as President in 2015.
He prided that the subsequent decimation of the terror groups has shown that he kept his word.
According
to the President, “I promised to put an end to Boko Haram insurgency,
kidnapping and other forms of criminalities that have bedeviled our
country during my inaugural speech as president.
“You will all
agree with me that the successes we have achieved so far have restored
our pride and honour the world over. Consequently, I want to sincerely
thank Nigerians for believing in our government in spite of occasional
outrages, coming together as a nation, irrespective of political,
religious and ethnic affiliations in our strive to bring this menace to
an end”.
Buhari, who spoke at the official induction of Nigerian
Air Force Helicopters at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja, lauded the
invaluable contributions of the security agencies towards the decimation
of Boko Haram.
He noted that that “professionalism, capacity
building and adequately equipping the armed forces and the other
security agencies are major policies of this administration”.
The
President particularly commended the contributions of the Nigerian Air
Force in international security, peace-keeping and humanitarian
operations in the African sub region which he said has placed the
country as a reliable regional power.
According to him, the
intervention of the Nigerian Air Power in places like The Gambia,
Guinea-Konakri, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau
and Cameroon has been a source of pride.
He said, “I’m delighted
to be here this morning to once again commission two Augusta 109 Power
and MI17 into the Nigerian Air Force inventory. About a year ago, we
commissioned two Augusta 109 Power Helicopter Gunships, which were
procured from Italy.
“The platforms were subsequently inducted
into the Nigerian Air Force inventory to boost the operational
capability. This was necessary to improve the delivery of promised air
power in support of our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency
efforts”.
The President added further that, “it is on record that
these additional platforms have contributed immensely to the Air
Force’s successes in decimation of Boko Haram insurgents. The Nigerian
Air Force, since its establishment in 1964 has been playing critical
roles in national security as well as in peace-keeping operations on the
African continent.
“Your contributions in international
security, peace-keeping and humanitarian operations in places like The
Gambia, Guinea-Konakri, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea
Bissau and Cameroon has not only been a source of pride to us as a
nation, but has also projected us as a reliable regional power.
“This
is indeed most commendable as our Air Force, alongside other services,
continues to play its unique role in the current insurgency operations
and other operations, particularly in the North-East and the North-West,
where our officers, airmen and airwomen, soldiers and ratings, are
performing gallantly.
“We promised to re-professionalise and
re-equip the armed forces and security agencies, to effectively
discharge their duties to our nation. I have no doubt; with the
deployment of these Augusta 109P Gunships and the MI171E Helicopter will
add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Air Force in combating our
contemporary security challenges.
“We are committed to taking the
right steps in achieving the desired results. The acquisition of these
aircrafts, amongst other military equipment, despite our budgetary
constraints, is an expression of our commitment. We shall ensure that
every sector of our nation experiences the change that we have
promised”.
Earlier in his speech, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air
Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said that in the past decade, Nigeria has had
its share of horrific national security challenges especially terrorism
and insurgency.
He said that the Nigerian Air Force in concert
with other security agencies has confronted these insurgents and other
enemies of the State to ensure that the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of the nation is not undermined.
According to him,
“just five years ago, The Nigerian Air Force was facing serious
challenges with an abysmal 35% aircraft serviceability status. At the
same time, terrorism, insurgency and other heinous crimes were ravaging
the country.
“On assumption of office, Your Excellency approves
the procurement of military equipments including fighter aircraft and
helicopter gunships. This visionary step has profoundly impacted
positively on NAF operations”.
The Minister of Defence, Salihi
Magashi, commended the President for the induction of the additional
platforms for the Nigerian Air Force.
He disclosed that additional helicopter is being expected to add impetus to the ongoing war against terrorism.
The
event was witnessed by the Ministers of Information, Lai Mohammed,
Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
lawmakers among others distinguished guests.