Photo: Air Cdr Edward Gabkwet, now Commander, 551 NAF Station, Jos.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointment Air Commodore Wapkerem Maigida as its new spokesman in a massive shakeup which affected air chiefs, commanding officers, Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), and Commandants of Tri-Service and NAF Institutions.
Wapkerem replaces the former Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who has been appointed Commander, 551 NAF Station, Jos.
A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Group Capt. Joel Abioye of NAF’s Directorate of Public Relations and Information, explained the decision as routine postings and redeployments aimed at ensuring operational efficiency and effective service delivery.
Abioye said that the appointments were approved by the Chief Air of Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.
He said that the redeployments and postings were as follows:
AVM Jackson Yusuf, former Chief of Policy and Plans, was appointed as Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP), while the erstwhile Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos, AVM Idi Lubo, took over as Chief of Policy and Plans.
AVM Mohammed Yakubu, immediate past Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology is now Chief of Aircraft Engineering, while AVM Ayoola Jolasinmi, former CDPP, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), is now the Chief of Defence Space Administration.
“The erstwhile Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Anthony Tuwase, is now the Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation (CDTI), DHQ.
“In the same vein, AVM Paul Masiyer is now the Chief of Logistics, HQ NAF; AVM Ibikunle Daramola, the erstwhile Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Ground Training Command, Enugu is appointed the Chief of Communications Information Systems.
“AVM Samuel Chinda now takes over as Chief of Air Intelligence, NAF, while AVM Anthony Ndace is now the Air Secretary, NAF.
“Also affected by the new appointments is AVM Emmanuel Wonah, former Chief of Aircraft Engineering who is now the Commandant of Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
“AVM Charles Ohwo, former CDTI has now been appointed as the Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos, AVM Paul Jemitola, the immediate past Air Secretary is now the Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna.
“AVM Abraham Adole is the new Commandant, Air Force War College, Makurdi,’’ Abioye stated.
Other new appointments are those of AVM Sayo Olatunde, former Commandant Air Force War College who is now the AOC, Ground Training Command, Enugu, and AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe now the AOC Mobility Command, Yenagoa.
“Air Commodore Olayinka Oyesola takes over as the Air Component Commander (Joint Task Force North East) `Operation Hadin Kai’.
“Air Marshal Amao charged the officers to bring their professional experiences to bear and to continually explore new methods of proffering workable solutions and renewed strategies to resolving the security challenges in the country.
“The newly appointed and redeployed senior officers are expected to assume their offices on or before Friday, January 6,” Abioye added.
