Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base to complement the security architecture of the state.
Abiodun also made a case for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force school in the state to raise morally sound children for the nation.
The governor made the demands at a meeting with a delegation from the Chief of Air Staff, led by Air Vice Marshal Enebong Effiom, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Tuesday.
The visit is a follow-up to a meeting Governor Abiodun had on Monday with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, where he stated that the Ogun State Government was ready to strengthen its collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enhance security and aviation growth within the state.
The governor, who acknowledged the importance of security in the socio-economic development of any nation, said that apart from ensuring that the state has the full complement of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the presence of the men and women of the Air Force would further strengthen the security of the state as the industrial capital of the country.
“I had the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Air Staff yesterday (Monday) at his office in Abuja, and we exchanged ideas on a lot of issues, particularly regarding the airport.
“I shared with the Chief of Air Staff that having an airport also provides us the opportunity to have the men and women of the Nigerian Air Force complement our security architecture, and that my desire is not just for us to have the Air Force at the airport, but to have an Air Force base here in Ogun State,” he said.
He described the Chief of Air Staff as a responsive, proactive, and forward-looking officer who is always ready to cooperate with his administration to move the state forward.
“We believe that considering the fact that we have the Nigerian Army in Abeokuta, the Police, and the Nigerian Navy School here, we also need the Nigerian Air Force.
“I also spoke to the Chief of Air Staff yesterday about going beyond a base and looking at how we can partner with you to have an Air Force school in Ogun State, and that is something we are very passionate about in Ogun State.
“Whatever it is that we can do to support that initiative, you can take it for granted, so that we also have the opportunity to encourage our citizens in the state to join the Nigerian Air Force.
“If we can begin to nurture these young ones and incubate them in the right atmosphere of learning, they will have a better understanding of what kind of career opportunities it can provide for them,” the governor noted.
Abiodun, who appreciated the Chief of Air Staff for sending a powerful delegation made up of very senior officers to meet with him, stated that his administration is ready to welcome the force in the state, as he is prepared to provide temporary offices and accommodation for the immediate takeoff of the base.
“I had offered one of our institutions, our model school that has not been put into use, to reduce the burden that comes with setting up a base for the Air Force.
“In the meantime, I can authoritatively say that with the support of the Chief of Air Staff, we will have the Air Force presence at the airport almost immediately. We will build a suitable office for the Air Force at the airport, and we will provide accommodation for the personnel who will be providing the services required at the airport.
“All the support, I have assured the Chief of Air Staff, will go beyond complementing our law enforcement architecture; this will be one of our legacies,” Abiodun added.
The governor noted that his administration has provided land and other support to the Nigerian Navy to establish a base at Ogun Waterside, adding that the groundbreaking for the Naval base is expected to take place in a few weeks’ time.
While outlining some projects carried out by his administration to encourage more investors into the state, Governor Abiodun said that roads have been constructed to link up rail lines, while the airport is part of the state’s master plan on transportation.
