The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), on Wednesday, graduated no fewer than 302 officer’s , airmen and airwomen on Military Sundry Courses in technical manpower development of the service.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, in his graduation speech commended the Commandant and the entire staff of AFIT for successfully conducting the military programmes and courses that had culminated in the graduation of 302 officers, airmen and airwomen.
Abubakar said the institution had produced highly skilled professionals, pioneered research, and provided innovative solutions, enhancing aircraft maintenance and operational readiness.
The CAS added, “The 302 graduating officers, airmen, and airwomen are now custodians of new-generation aircraft, entrusted with their safety, airworthiness, and mission readiness.”
He said AFIT had established itself as a centre of excellence, driving technological sovereignty and defence self-reliance in Nigeria.
Abubakar said the graduands were expected to apply their skills with precision, innovation, and dedication, upholding the Nigerian Air Force’s core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence.
He congratulated the graduates on their achievements and emphasised the importance of technological advancement in the Nigerian Air Force.
“AFIT had faithfully fulfilled its mandate as the premier source of technical manpower for the Nigerian Air Force for nearly five decades, producing highly skilled professionals and innovative solutions,”Abubukar added.
He said the institution had established collaborations with over 30 Universities to boost academic excellence.
“AFIT had conducted tuition-free training programmes for sister services, including the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, “he said.
Abubakar appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his visionary and outstanding leadership.
He said, “We are particularly grateful for his steadfast and unflinching support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force in particular.
“My appreciation also goes to the members of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Defence and the Institute’s governing council for their continued oversight and support, the results of which we are celebrating today.
“We are particularly grateful for his steadfast and unflinching support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force in particular.”
Earlier, the Commandant of AFIT , AVM Sani Rabe, said it has been serving the technical and logistics training needs of the Nigerian Air Force since its establishment in 1977.
Rabe said the institution has continued to produce quality technical manpower for the NAF, in spite of the expansion of its mandate and the increasing demand for technical training.
He highlighted some of its achievements to include providing necessary technical training to meet the NAF’s skilled manpower requirements,
Others included domesticating critical training, preventing capital flight, and saving foreign exchange.
He extolled the Chief of the Air Staff’s philosophy of transforming the NAF into an agile and resilient force
Rabe said, “The 302 graduands, comprising 69 officers and 233 airmen/airwomen, have successfully completed their courses and are now equipped with the necessary training to become active participants in their various specialties.”
He congratulated the graduans and urged them to demonstrate competence, dedication, and common sense in their future endeavors.
The commandant highlighted the challenges faced by the institution, including accommodation shortages, and appreciated the timely intervention of the Chief of Air Staff in constructing a new student accommodation.
“AFIT is committed to enhancing the quality of its training programs and providing a conducive environment for students, “Rabe said
