By Abdul Lauya
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has urged 30 newly graduated helicopter pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to embrace integrity, professionalism, and commitment to duty in the face of modern security threats.
Speaking through the Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Edosa, Abubakar delivered the charge at the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Integrated Helicopter Pilot Course 9/2024 and Airline Transport Pilot Licence Course 2/2025.
The event took place on Wednesday at the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS), Enugu.
According to a statement made available to Eye Reporters by the NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS congratulated the new pilots and reminded them that their journey had just begun.
“You are stepping into a dynamic and complex operational environment,” Abubakar said in remarks described as both inspiring and urgent.
He warned that the threats facing Nigeria’s national security are diverse and constantly changing, requiring not just flying skills but adaptability, collaboration, and coordinated action.
The CAS charged the graduates to wear their wings with humility and responsibility, noting that they carry the expectations of a nation and the trust of an institution committed to peace and security.
The graduation ceremony also witnessed the commissioning of a newly renovated aircraft hangar at IHFS.
The hangar upgrade was described as critical to improving maintenance, airworthiness, and overall operational readiness at the training school.
Abubakar disclosed that additional projects, including a new school headquarters and 36 units of student accommodation, were underway to boost capacity.
He stated that the Nigerian Air Force was focused on building a self-reliant and mission-oriented airpower force fit for modern battlefields.
The event also featured the graduation of IHFS flight instructors who completed the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training.
Several instructors were promoted during the ceremony, a move described as a reinforcement of instructional capacity and global aviation best practices.
The CAS reiterated that IHFS remained central to his command philosophy of deliberate training, human capital development, and infrastructure-led operational excellence.
He commended the Rector and training faculty for their professionalism and dedication to grooming world-class aviators.
Air Marshal Abubakar also acknowledged the strategic role of Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited and the IHFS Board of Directors in supporting the school’s growth.
Eye Reporters gathered that the event signified not only a celebration of pilot proficiency but also a bold projection of Nigeria’s rotary-wing aviation future within its evolving security framework.
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