Nigerian Air Force tasks officers on regular exercise for physical fitness

macfranc007 September 01, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 David Oladele

- Officers of the Nigerian Air Force have been urged to take physical fitness serious

- Oladayo Amao, the AOC, tactical air command of the NAF, said it is only a healthy, emotionally and physically sound body can defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria

- Amao also charged the officers to cultivate the habit of exercising regularly

Oladayo Amao, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command of the NAF, air vice marshal, on Saturday, September 1, said it is only a healthy, emotionally and physically sound body can carry out the onerous task of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Daily Sun reports that Amao charged the officers, airmen and air women of the command to support their battle readiness by being physically fit to carry out assigned duties.

Amao who gave the charge, during the command’s third quarter 10 kilometer route match stressed the need for them as members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, to cultivate the habit of exercising regularly.

According to him, “Only a healthy, emotionally and physically sound body can carry out the onerous task of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“You are aware of the threats to peace and security posed by the activities of Boko Haram in the North East, Militia and farmers clashes in the middle belt and militants in south south.

“It is our duties to protect and safeguard lives and properties in these areas. We must therefore, be ready to discharge these constitutional duties by ensuring that we are physically fit at all times.”

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AVM Amao explained further that the quarterly exercise is in line with the Chief of the Air Staff’s (CAS) vision, which is, “To reposition the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of Air Power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives.”

He noted that the exercise is organised primarily for the purpose of ensuring personnel fitness and wellbeing to enhance the performance of assigned military duties.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the NAF redeployed a total of 52 senior officers comprising 16 AVM, 16 Air Commodores, 9 Group Captains, 7 Wing Commanders and 4 Squadron Leaders.

Prominent among those affected by the deployment are 4 Branch Chiefs at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF) and one Air Officer Commanding. Also redeployed are other key appointment holders in the Service as part of a routine exercise aimed at further enhancing operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency.

The newly appointed Branch Chiefs include AVM Charles Otegbade, who was the director of Plans at HQ NAF, and is now the Chief of Communications and Information Systems (CCIS).

In addition, AVM Kingsley Lar, who was the Chief of Standards and Evaluation (COSE), is now the Chief of Administration (COA).

Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram on NAIJ.com TV: