Defence
THE Governor of Ogun, Mr Dapo Abiodun has said the the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intervention programme aligned perfectly with President Bola Tinubu’s transformation agenda for sustainable development.
Abiodun said his on Tuesday during inauguration of Air Force Legacy Building at Baptist High School, Ilaro, Yewa South LGA, Ogun State.
Abiodun was represented by the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Education, Mr Lukmon Kiadese.
The special intervention project was carried out by the Nigerian Air Force to honour AVM Sayo Olatunde (rtd) for his meritorious service to the nation.
The Legacy Building comprises a block of three mega classrooms that will conveniently accommodate 75 students each.
Additionally, it incorporates two sets of toilets, one set each at each end of the building, for male and female respectively, two stand offices, a water station with 2,000 liter capacity water tank and one horsepower pumping machine.
The governor said that the project demonstrated that NAF remained committed not only to defending the territorial integrity of our nation but also contributing meaningfully to community development through impactful education projects.
“The construction of these modern classrooms and offices is an investment in the future of our children and a legacy that will continue to benefit the generation of learners.
“They will reduce classroom congestion, improve concentration, encourage active participation during lessons and create an atmosphere where effective teaching and learning can flourish.
“It is also a testament to what can be achieved when government institutions collaborate to promote national development through investment in education,” he said.
Abiodun celebrated AVM Olatunde for his outstanding service to the nation which had brought honour, not only to the NAF, but also to the good people of Ogun and Yewa land, particularly to Baptist High School, Ilaro.
“His achievement will inspire our students to believe that hard work, discipline, commitment and patriotism can open doors to greatness regardless of your background.
“Ultimately, this facility will contribute significantly to improving student performance in both internal and external examination while promoting excellence in teaching and learning.
“Similarly, the newly constructed office will provide teachers and school administrators with a functional workplace, thereby improving school management, lesson preparation, staff collaboration and effective supervision of academic activities,” he said.
The governor said that his administration remained committed to promoting public education through massive investment in school infrastructure, teacher development, curriculum development, digital education, technical vocational education and improved access to quality learning opportunities.
He added that numerous schools had been rehabilitated across the state with the construction of additional classrooms, provision of furniture, instructional materials and federal intervention aimed at creating more conducive learning environment.
“This project therefore complements the ongoing effort of transforming the focus of education and ensuring that every child has access to quality education within a safe and supportive environment.
“I urge the principal members and staff of this school to make judicious use of this building and ensure that they are properly maintained.
“Students should regard this classroom as a center of excellence, where discipline, diligence, innovation and academic excellence are nurtured.
“Teachers should continue to uphold the highest standard of professionalism by utilizing this facility to inspire learning among future leaders,” he said.
The governor said that the project symbolizes hope for the students, opportunities for the teachers, confidence to the parents and a brighter future for the state.
Abiodun appreciated the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, AVM Sayo Olatunde (rtd) and everyone who had made the intervention project possible.
Also speaking, the CAS said that the intervention came as a key step to the non-kinetic lines of operation aimed at boosting civility relations, with a view to winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace and seeking cooperation between the NAF and communities that they serve and protect for enhanced national security.
Aneke was represented by the Director, Coordination and Cooperation, NAF HQ, AVM Christopher Akpa.
Aneke added that the CAS Special Intervention Project was recently initiated, to execute projects in selected communities in honor of senior officers from those areas.
“Since the introduction of the scheme, a total of 15 of such projects have been inaugurated, with many others ongoing.
“In this way, the officers remain deeply connected to their roots while strengthening the NAF’s humanitarian mandate and contributing to the federal government’s renewed hope agenda.
“The intervention project held here at Baptist High School Ilaro, Yewa LGA, is in honour of AVM Sayo Olatunde, an illustrious alumnus of this benefitting school,” he said.
The CAS commended AVM Olatunde (rtd) for the choice of this project and the confidence he has that the project will enhance the quality of education and general livelihood of this community.
“I also urge the beneficiaries to use the facilities responsibly for the benefit of all,” he said.
Aneke said that the community should continue to collaborate with all security agencies through the provision of intelligence, while striving to live at peace with their neighbours.
“By so doing, you will be contributing your quota towards eliminating threats that are continually bedeviling our dear nation, Nigeria.
“On our part, and alongside other sister services and security agencies, we will continue to do our best to find, fix, and destroy all threats to Nigeria’s territorial integrity through the effective employment of air power.
“We will conduct missions that will ensure security in all parts of the country, so that everyone can go about their legitimate activities without any form of fear,” he said.
In his remark, AVM Sayo Olatunde, the project facilitator, said that the Air Force Legacy Building, aimed at providing a fitting and conducive alternative classroom for students currently using the science laboratory as their classrooms.
“Worse stilll, the lab-turned-classroom is overcrowded and dilapidated. The situation is counterproductive to the national drive for science, technology, and innovation in secondary schools. It is therefore not acceptable by some of us.
“Relocating these students from the laboratory to the new building will free up the laboratory for a purpose-oriented renovation and upgrade,” he said.
Olatunde thanked the CAS for giving him the opportunity to give back to his alma mater – Baptist High School, Ilaro, Yewa, Ogun State.
I am grateful to God for bringing you safely, equally, and most sincerely grateful to every one of us present despite the rain for honoring me and the Nigerian Air Force with your presence.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here this morning not only to celebrate the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, and my own but also, and most importantly, to celebrate the reawakening of the sleeping Diana, baptized to Ilaro, as we commission today the Air Force Legacy Building.
The Air Force Legacy Building was constructed under the auspices of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S.K. Aniki, Distinguished Flying Star, as one of his special intervention projects to enable senior Nigerian Air Force officers to give back to their community.
In this regard, the project was executed in honor of my officer, Air Vice Marshal S. Alakogon Ntaiya. I want to talk briefly on the strategic importance of this project. For many years now, the science laboratory in my alma mater, that used to be remarkably promising about 40 years ago, have been turned to classrooms.
Worse still, they are overcrowded, that the lab-turned-classroom is overcrowded and dilapidated. The situation is counterproductive to the national drive for science, technology, and innovation in secondary schools. It is therefore not acceptable by some of us.
Globally, civility relations will seek to foster robust and mutually beneficial interactions between the civil and the military-civil society as emerged as a panacea for positively shaping national security architecture and dynamics.
Accordingly, the Nigerian Air Force at a critical element of Nigeria’s national power is well in tune with the importance of civility relations.
Hence the reason, since its inception in 1964, it has continued to play a significant role in Nigeria’s security architecture.
It has also played a significant role in supporting civil authorities through various operations across the country.
These engagements range from internal security arrangements to logistical and emergency response efforts.
Other key contributions include airlift of illiterate materials, airport security and aviation support, as well as search and rescue operations amongst others.
Although these activities were not interwoven with Nigerian Air Force operations since inception, they were not spelled out as civility relations activities because there was no official framework in this regard.
The former Directorate of Civil-Military Relations, which was established in November 2015, was upgraded to a branch status in July 2024.
It is gratifying to note that since its upgrade, the branch has expanded its roles and responsibilities to include strategies that cover efforts at enabling operations, humanitarian affairs, human rights, gender affairs, as well as ramping up measures towards addressing grievances from serving personnel and civilians alike through the Office of the Nigerian Air Force Ombudsman.
Specifically, the Air Force of the Nigerian Air Force are building trust and winning hearts and minds by embarking on special intervention projects and have endeared the service to the public with positive implications for ongoing operations.
It is gratifying to note that since May 2025, the Nigerian Air Force launched the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, a landmark policy aimed at minimizing civilian harm during operations.
As stipulated in the document, whenever incidents occur and based on findings of investigations, the Nigerian Air Force takes concrete remedial steps, including providing compensation to victims and their families, as well as executing quick-impact projects in the affected communities to regain confidence in the service.
F.O
Tags: NAFs Legacy building Ogun State Tinubu