Gov. Ugwuanyi assures new Air Force Commander of his support

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured the Air Officer Commanding the newly established Ground Training Command of the Nigeria Air Force, Enugu, Air Vice-Marshal, Samson Okon Akpasa, of his administration’s readiness to offer necessary assistance and support towards the success of the operations of the Command.

Gov. Ugwuanyi gave the assurance when the new commander and his entourage paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Enugu, to inform the Governor of his recent posting to head the new Command in Enugu.

The Governor who welcomed and congratulated Air Vice Marshal Akpasa on his posting which is equivalent to status to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of an Army Division, noted that the feat was a demonstration of the confidence, the hierarchy of the Nigerian Air Force reposes on him to provide effective leadership for its formations in the new platform.

Gov. Ugwuanyi acknowledged that officers and men of the Nigeria Air Force, along with other security agencies in the state, had all contributed in helping the state maintain her enviable status as one of the safest and most secured in the country.

He added that his administration had always maintained and enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the Force through its pre-existing formations and establishments in the state.

“As a matter of fact, I consider myself privileged to have received the pioneer head of the new Command and therefore, on behalf of the good people of Enugu State, I welcome you to the state and I assure you of our warm wishes, goodwill and friendship”, Gov. Ugwuanyi pledged.

Earlier in an address, the Ground Training Commander, Air Vice-Marshal, Samson Okon Akpasa thanked the Governor for the warm reception, stating that the restructuring of Nigerian Air Force, which gave birth to Ground Training Command was to ensure effective and efficient security of every part of the country.

He said that the new Command was very strategic to the Air Force, considering the fact that it had a lot to do with the training of its personnel to achieve high level of professionalism.

Air Vice Marshal Akpasa, while soliciting the support and maximum cooperation of the State Governor and other stakeholders, in the commencement of the Command’s headquarters, expressed optimism that its location in Enugu would eventually make the realization of the Air Force objectives possible.

“I will like to seize this opportunity to thank the Chief of Air Staff for giving me this opportunity to pioneer the establishment of the Ground Training Command, Enugu. I strongly believe that in no distant time, all structures that are needed for restructuring of the Command will be put in place”, he said.