Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), has issued a powerful charge to freshly graduated personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), emphasizing that civilians are not the enemy but the very people the military exists to defend.
A Charge to 1,296 New Airmen and Airwomen
The directive was given on 5 January 2026 during the passing-out parade for Basic Military Training Course 45/2024 in Kaduna. A total of 1,296 recruits successfully completed the rigorous six-month program, formally transitioning from civilian life into becoming trained members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Acting as the reviewing officer for the parade, Air Marshal Aneke described the ceremony as a significant milestone. He stated that the operational effectiveness of the NAF is fundamentally dependent on the quality of personnel it recruits and trains.
Shaping a Mission-Ready Force
The CAS outlined the NAF's command philosophy, which aims to "enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives."
He credited the Military Training Centre in Kaduna, which he called the cradle of military excellence in the NAF, for its critical role in shaping disciplined and professional personnel. The demanding training was designed to test recruits physically, mentally, and as a team, preparing them for the harsh realities of military service.
Uniform Represents Trust in Complex Security Environment
Air Marshal Aneke reminded the new graduates that they are joining the Service at a time of complex security challenges, including:
- Terrorism
- Banditry
- Other asymmetric threats
He noted the NAF's decisive role through combat and support operations, but crucially pointed out that personnel will often interact with civilians. "The uniform represents trust," he declared.
"Civilians are not enemies. We are trained to protect them. Operational success is incomplete if public trust is lost," the Air Chief stressed, firmly establishing that protecting civilians remains a core responsibility of the Service.
He urged the 1,296 graduates to let the discipline, teamwork, and sense of duty honed over the past six months guide their entire careers.
Concluding his address, Air Marshal Aneke expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of the NAF. He also acknowledged the Kaduna State Government, sister services, security agencies, and institutions that support NAF training efforts, while commending the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command and the Military Training Centre for the course's success.
