By Stanley Nwanosike

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has restated the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to enhancing welfare of retired personnel.

Abubakar gave the assurance at the Mid-Year 2025 Chief of the Air Staff’s Parley with NAF Veterans held in Enugu.

Represented by the Director of Veteran Affairs, AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka, the CAS noted that NAF had been able, within few months, to identify living locations, health conditions and welfare conditions of all its veterans scattered all over the country.

He said that NAF had made medical treatment of veterans and their families free of charge, adding: “We are planning to re-grade and re-engage those with special skills and proficiencies needed by NAF on contract basis.”

“For two years running, the CAS has prioritised veterans’ welfare above other issues and made it the central focus of its personnel motivation.

“NAF has been able to identify where all our veterans live in the country, no matter how old they are and for those who are late, we have been able to identify their families as well.

“We are bringing them in as a family, knowing their challenges and trying to solve them as much as we can.

“This parley provides a great opportunity to see them, interact with them and gather experiences from them.”

The CAS noted that NAF was also looking into improving their financial management through reaching out to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fashion out strategies to ensure that the veterans are sustained.

Earlier, AVM Ahmed Shinkafi, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), NAF Ground Training Command, Enugu, said that the parley was made to honour and appreciate NAF veterans for their sacrifices to the nation while they were in service.

Shinkafi commended the CAS for making the parley with the veterans to be held twice a year.

“I want you in this parley to contribute and share your experiences that will be useful to solve contemporary and emerging operational and administrative challenges,” he said.

One of the veterans, retired Group Capt. Emma Agu, appreciated the CAS for the parley initiative and other support extended to veterans to make their lives better while in retirement.

“Today’s event is more of a reunion for all retirees of NAF within the South-East. We are happy that NAF is still one big family for both those serving and us retired,” Agu said.

Another veteran, retired Warrant Officer Anthony Aneke, thanked NAF for the free medicare for veterans and members of their families and lauded the CAS for continuing all veteran welfare initiatives to keep them strong.

The event featured health talk on “Low Back Pain (Lumbar Spondylosis)” as well as a lecture on “Strategies for a Sustainable Retirement Life” delivered by Dr Gloria Chiagorom, Staff Nurse with Medical Centre of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza