The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has charged personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to maintain a high standard of physical and mental fitness.
Amao gave the charge on Saturday, at the 2022 Second Quarter Route March Exercise for NAF personnel in Abuja.
A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the Route March, which is routine, is part of the efforts aimed at “continually promoting comradeship and esprit de corps among personnel as well as physical and combat fitness with a view to enhancing NAF operational readiness”.
According to Amao, “the route march is a military tradition practiced worldwide and aims at ensuring NAF officers, airmen and civilian staff are physically fit in order to handle the rigours and stress associated with their daily tasks and responsibilities”.
The CAS reiterated the need for personnel to continue to be vigilant and security conscious, while remaining apolitical, even as the Nation gradually approaches another election year.
“While I encourage you all to exercise your franchise, please be guided by the ethics and discipline that has been inculcated in you. You must also continue to foster peace and be law abiding even as you carry out your civic duties”, he said.
Leading the route march, Amao said in addition to the weekly sporting activities held in all NAF units, “the NAF Sports Week has been planned for the Third Quarter of 2022 so as to promote peaceful coexistence amongst personnel and families as well as serve as an avenue for discovering new NAF talents for the upcoming 2022 Armed Forces of Nigeria Games”.
He said the Games would give the NAF an opportunity to engage the large Base Youths population rather than them engaging in the rampaging vices in the society.
While congratulating participants for a successful exercise, Air Marshal Amao expressed gratitude of the NAF to President Muhammadu Buhari, for his unflinching support to the growth and development of the NAF.
He also thanked the Commander, 053 HQ NAF Camp and his team for “professionally and successfully hosting the Route March with desired outcomes. The route march, which witnessed a large turn-out, had in attendance Branch Chiefs, Directors, airmen and airwomen as well as Corps members serving in NAF Units in Abuja”.
