CAS restates NAF’s commitment to training as 55 air specialists graduate
The Air Traffic Services Training Centre of NIgerian Air Force has graduated 55 Cabin Crew, Air Traffic Control Assistants and Base Operation personnel as the service ramps up the training of personnel to enhance operational excellence.
The graduation ceremony was held on Friday at the Air Traffic Services Training Centre, Kaduna. The centre was accredited as Approved Training Organization by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to conduct professional civil aviation courses including Air Traffic Control, Flight Despatch and Cabin Crew Courses.
A total of 19 of the graduates undertook the Initial Cabin Crew traing, 18 each as Air Traffic Control Assistants, and Base Operations upgrade courses.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar , who was the Special Guest of Honour congratulated the graduates and reiterated his commitment to making the Nigerian Air Force an agile and resilient service that meets the airpower needs of Nigeria’s security.
Abubakar, represented by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Training Command , AVM Ahmed Dari, said emphasised that this was Command Philosophy, which is anchored on deliberate training and mission-oriented force development.
He said part of the measures being adopted to transform the Nigerian Air Force is through training and retraining.
The CAS, therefore, said that the ATSTC has been contributing to the transformation by running various courses, including the Air Traffic Control and Surveillance Radar Course, Cabin Crew Refresher Course, and Initial Cabin Crew, Air Traffic Control and Flight Despatch Courses.
He highlighted the crucial roles and responsibilities of Cabin Crew professionals and Air Traffic Control Assistants and Base Operators in ensuring safety and efficiency in air operations, and urged the graduates to make a positive impact by contributing to the upliftment of NAF air operations.
Abubakar said they must remain professional and show exemplary conduct, so as to be good ambassadors of the centre and NAF.
The CAS said the graduates must make necessary sacrifices and offer their best in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Commandant of ATSTC, AVM Nosiru Folaji, said the ceremony marked the successful completion of training for the young airmen and airwomen.
Folaji said the graduates would play crucial roles in ensuring safety and efficiency in NAF’s air operations and the integrity of the Nigerian airspace.
The commandant emphasised the importance of the values of integrity, discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail in the aviation industry, and advised the graduates to keep learning to enhance their professional development.
He called for the construction of additional facilities at the centre to enable it to run multiple courses simultaneously.
Folaji appreciated the Chief of Air Staff for the ongoing infrastructure development, including the construction of student officers’ accommodation and the installation of Air Traffic Control Pro Simulator for surveillance radar training.
He hailed the graduates on their achievements and wished them safe and successful careers in the service of the nation, and also expressed gratitude to the instructors and staff of the institution for their dedication and commitment to excellence.
