The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has commended the troops of the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE for their immense sacrifices in the fight against insurgency as well as securing the territorial integrity of the country.
The Governor made this known yesterday, 12 August 2019, while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the luncheon organized by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir with the frontline troops in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
According to the statement released by the NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the luncheon was held in keeping with the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar’s, tradition of spending festive periods with the NAF troops in the frontlines.
Speaking further, the Governor Umaru Fintiri said the contributions of the NAF troops in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation could not be overemphasized, just as he promised to pay the 2020 West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) fees of children and wards of NAF personnel. He said:
“I will be failing in my duty as the Executive Officer of Adamawa State if I don’t on behalf of the people of Adamawa State recognize the sacrifice and the good work that you are doing.
From the Year 2020, whether you are a citizen or non-citizen, indigene or non-indigene of Adamawa State, so long you stay in the State, NECO and WAEC fees would be paid by the Government to encourage officers and men of NAF for the good work they have been doing”, the Governor said.
He also made it clear that whatever he is doing in the wider society, he would also extend it to personnel of the NAF, particularly in terms of provision of infrastructure.
While addressing the troops, Air Marshal Abubakar appreciated them for their contributions and sacrifices to ensure that Nigeria and Nigerians are secured. He urged them to work much harder to ensure that the country is safe, as security was a prerequisite for national development. He, therefore, charged the troops not to be distracted by what they see or hear on the social media but to remain focused.