News

NAF Graduates New Set Of 1,123 Airmen, Airwomen, Air Chief Tasks Them With Innovation

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2023

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has tasked newly graduated recruits of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to be focused, motivated and innovative while contributing to NAF’s efforts towards achieving Nigeria’s national security imperatives.

He stated this while reviewing the Passing Out Parade of 1,123 recruits of Basic Military Training Course 43/2022 held Saturday, 8 July 2023, at the Military Training Centre, NAF Base, Kaduna.

While reminding them that they would be deployed to the various operational theatres to contribute their quota to national security, he urged them to ensure they operate within the rules of engagement as enumerated in the code of conduct for Armed Forces personnel involved in internal security operations.

He also admonished them to ensure they respect and protect the innocent and law-abiding civilians they trained to defend.

“Treat them with respect and protect their rights. By so doing, you will be discharging your professional and constitutional duties.

“Remember also that the NAF undoubtedly expects the highest standards from you regarding civil-military Relations, ” he stated.

The CAS advised the new recruits to take advantage of abundant training opportunities in the NAF to become proficient in their chosen specialities.

He also reiterated the need for them to be disciplined and subordinate their personal interests to those of the Service and the Nation.

Speaking further, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar charged them to ensure they internalize and thoroughly embrace the NAF core values of ‘Integrity first, Service before self and excellence in all you do,’ in order to maintain the reputation the Service has earned over the years.

On the ongoing efforts to rid the nation of all criminal acts, the CAS counselled them not to allow themselves to be used by any subversive elements to destabilize the country.

“You must not succumb to any inducement or action that would cause disaffection amongst fellow members of the Armed Forces and remember that your duty is to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of their leanings or inclinations”, he said.

Air Vice Marshal Abubakar also told the recruits to remember that they were now subject to both military and civil laws, hence, they must ensure they submit themselves to civil authority under democratic tenets.

In view of the dangers the misuse of social media by some personnel portends for ongoing operations, the CAS advised them to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the social media policy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

According to him, contravening any of the provisions therein would be viewed very seriously.

While expressing his profound gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his support, the CAS assured him of NAF’s unalloyed loyalty and total commitment to his administration’s renewed hope and aspiration for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

The occasion had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Commandants of Tri-service institutions in Kaduna, Branch Chiefs as well as Directors from NAF Headquarters among other dignitaries.

News

NBSAP Validation: HOMEF Commends FG, Says It’s A Welcome Step Towards Food Sovereignty, Biosafety

Published

2 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has commended the Federal Government for endorsing the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

Recall, in June 2025, Nigeria officially approved its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, NBSAP, 2025-2030, aiming to stop and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

According to the Nigerian government’s statement, the NBSAP fully aligns
with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF), with a focus on halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

The revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, NBSAP, has been adopted as a comprehensive government policy with 23 national targets, each aligned with the corresponding global biodiversity targets and goals.

Reacting to the development in a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, HOMEF, the Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, stated that it is a vital step toward protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and advancing environmental
justice.

“We are especially encouraged by NBSAP’s firm stance on the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which aligns with ourBlong-standing advocacy for biosafety and food sovereignty. In a time when the indiscriminate adoption of genetically engineered crops is
increasingly being pushed by multinational interests, NBSAP rightly
cautions that unregulated GMO use could be catastrophic to our environment, health, and sustainable development,” he said.

Also, Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes and Lead on Hunger Politics, HOMEF, noted
that “the Strategy’s support for traditional plant breeding,
non-transgenic biotechnologies, and the fair sharing of benefits from biological resources reflects a welcome policy shift. It affirms the rights of smallholder farmers and communities to control their seeds and food system, putting the power back in the hands of people.”

They, therefore, “urged the government to back this with action by halting GMO approvals pending a biosafety audit, reviewing the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 as amended in 2019, in line with the National Biosafety Framework, investing in agroecology, and supporting community seed systems.

“HOMEF remains committed to ensuring Nigeria’s biodiversity thrives, free from genetic pollution and corporate control.”

News

JAMB Releases Results Of Mop-up Examination

Published

11 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) held on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
According to a statement issued on Sunday evening by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, results have been released for 11,161 candidates who sat for the exam out of the 96,838 candidates scheduled for the mop-up exercise.

The board, however, noted that some candidates who are unable to access their results failed to comply with the prescribed instructions.

“Candidates who are not able to access their results have been found not to have fully complied with the instruction to send ‘UTMERESULT’ (as one word text) to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration for the UTME,” the statement read.

JAMB urged all affected candidates to follow the correct procedure in order to access their results.

News

FG Lists Two Presidential Jet For Sale In Switzerland

Published

11 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has place on sale about two-decade-old Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ) with the listing hosted by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland.

The Presidency source said with over 19 years in service, the BBJ has become increasingly expensive to maintain and subject to safety scrutiny, particularly after a mechanical incident during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.

This disclosure for the sale of the Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ) was made via a US-based aircraft listing site, The Controller: https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/244434099/2005-boeing-bbj-jet-aircraft

The aircraft, used during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and acquired for $43m in 2005, is being sold months after President Bola Tinubu transitioned to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 last August amid economic concerns and public scrutiny.

The plane had undergone inspections and maintenance in preparation for sale, according to aviation marketplace Controller.com.

Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, overseen by the Nigerian Air Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser, has about 10 aircraft.

These include fixed wings such as a 13-year-old Gulfstream Aerospace G550, Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605.

Three of the seven fixed wings are reportedly unserviceable.

The rotor-wing fleet includes two Agusta 139s and two Agusta 101s, all operated by the Nigerian Air Force but supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Both the Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu administrations had earlier pledged to streamline the PAF for cost-efficiency.

Until August 2024, the BBJ-737 with tail number 5N-FGT, ferried the President until the administration acquired the refurbished Airbus A330-200, registered 5N‑FGA.

The aircraft, acquired for roughly $100 million (approx. ₦150bn) from a repossessed German bank asset, arrived in France for initial maintenance and reconfiguration in mid-2024.

However, since February 2025, the President has been using a San Marino-registered BBJ (REG: T7-NAS).

Sources in early May 2025 confirmed that the new A330-200 had been flown to South Africa to change its livery to reflect the Nigerian colours and the office of the President.

“The last I heard is that they took it abroad, I think to South Africa, to change the body design. You know it doesn’t have the green white green,” one source had said, asking to remain anonymous.

“It’s not only the body paint. I learned they are doing some refurbishment on it,” a second official stated.

The Swiss private aviation firm which facilitated the acquisition of the Airbus A330, it was gathered is also preparing the BBJ-737 for sale.

With over 19 years in service, the Presidency said the BBJ became increasingly expensive to maintain and subject to safety scrutiny, particularly after a mechanical incident during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.

Despite a partial refurbishment in July 2024, including upgrades to its first-class seating, new carpeting, and completion of C1-C2 inspections, the presidency is retiring the jet and listing it for sale.

Also, the aircraft is not enrolled in any engine maintenance programme, while both of its CFM56-7BE engines remain “on condition” that is, they are not subject to guaranteed performance coverage.

According to the listing, interested buyers may contact AMAC Aerospace for the asking price privately.

Configured to carry 33 passengers and 8 crew, the listing said the aircraft offers a 5-zone seating layout.

Zone 1 is dedicated to crew rest, including two crew rest seats and two cabin attendant seats. Zone 2 features a VIP stateroom equipped with a bed, a two-place divan, and a private lavatory. Zone 3 includes a VIP lounge configured as a four-seat conference room.

In Zone 4, passengers will find nine forward-facing first-class seats. Finally, Zone 5 offers eighteen forward-facing business-class seats.

The aircraft underwent a partial interior refurbishment in July 2024, including new carpeting through 90 per cent of the cabin and a full refurbishment of the first-class seating area.

Full-service galleys are located both forward and aft, featuring a steam oven, microwave, chilled compartments, storage areas, and warming drawers.

Other features include four enclosed lavatories—one for crew use, one within the VIP stateroom, one serving the first-class cabin, and another in the business-class section.

Connectivity is provided via Ka-Band Wi-Fi powered by the Honeywell MCS-7000 system.

Entertainment options include a 32-inch monitor in the master bedroom, another in the VIP lounge, one more in the first-class cabin, and two 21-inch monitors in the business-class cabin.

The BBJ is equipped with cutting-edge avionics systems. It includes three VHF communication radios by Gables Engineering, two VHF navigation radios by Rockwell Collins, and two HF transceivers. Safety and situational awareness are enhanced by an L3 Comms DFDR, a CVR, and Honeywell’s EGPWS.

The aircraft is fitted with two ATC transponders, a pair of DME units, and Rockwell Collins radio altimeters.

Additional avionics include three Thales ADC/ADM units, two Honeywell ADIRUs, and Rockwell Collins weather radar and TCAS systems.

Emergency equipment includes an Artex ELT with interface unit. The flight control and guidance systems comprise two Rockwell Collins FCCs, a Flight Dynamics HGS computer, and two Smith Industries FMS units.

Navigation aids include two ADFs and two Rockwell Collins MMR(GLU) units. Cabin pressurisation is managed by two Nord-Micro CPCs.

The aircraft also carries integrated flight and engine monitoring systems, with components by BAE Systems, Hamilton Sundstrand, Oeco, Honeywell, Teledyne Controls, Vibro-Meter, and Avtech.

Controller.com says the aircraft is fully compliant with ADS-B, CPDLC, FANS-1/A, and RVSM requirements.

The Boeing BBJ is powered by two CFM56-7BE engines, each with 3,821 hours since new and 1,881 cycles.

The engines are on-condition and not enrolled in a maintenance programme.

The auxiliary power unit, a Honeywell 131-9B, has logged 5,982 hours and 3,622 cycles.

It says the aircraft is capable of intercontinental range, thanks to eight auxiliary fuel tanks that boost total capacity to 70,000 pounds.

This includes standard tanks of 45,000 pounds, plus auxiliary tanks split between the left wing (8,500 lbs), right wing (8,500 lbs), center (28,000 lbs), forward aux (10,000 lbs), and aft aux (15,000 lbs).

Currently, the BBJ is undergoing B1-B2 inspections at AMAC Aerospace in Basel.

The C1-C2 inspections were completed in July 2024. Maintenance is tracked using the Veyron system.

On the outside, the aircraft retains its original 2005 exterior paint scheme, featuring a white base accented with green highlights to portray the Nigerian colours.
(VANGUARD)