Nigerians have been urged to appreciate the efforts and sacrifice of the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against insurgency in the country.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the call in Abuja during the unveiling of the Private Premiere of the Eagle Wings Motion Picture.
This Premiere Event showcased a history-making and standard-redefining partnership between the Nigerian Air Force Investments Limited and Papel Image Tech, with the support of the Nigerian Air Force.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the “Eagle Wings Motion Picture employs world-class cinematography to present a moving story which captures the crucial roles and efforts of the Nigerian Air Force in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East”
According to him, the idea of producing this motion picture was given consideration to avail the Nigerian public in particular and indeed, the world as a whole, with a fresh perspective to better appreciate the immeasurable sacrifices of their officers, airmen/airwomen and their families, towards bringing peace and security to the nation.
He noted that it has always been his desire to see the Nigerian Air Force break new frontiers that would not only place the Service on the pedestal of landmark achievements but also set the pace for others to emulate our collective efforts at securing the Nation.
He added that this gathering, therefore, offers Nigerians the opportunity to celebrate one of such achievements aimed at projecting the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force, both kinetic and otherwise, as well as the gains in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
The Air Chief said indeed, “as the story unfolds; the Motion Picture emphasises the efficacy of their efforts beyond bombs and bullets, to win the hearts and minds of people in troubled areas”.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who unveiled the Eagle Wings said “the film has set a new standard for Nollywood, and would also project the image of the Nigerian Air Force far beyond the shores of the nation, further boosting Nigeria’s international prestige”.
He commended the efforts of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, whose “commitment, diligence and strategic leadership have been outstanding and exemplary especially in utilising the media space to enlighten citizens and other stakeholders about the valuable contributions of the Air Force to both internal security and off-shore Airpower projections in support of Nigeria’s national interests”.
The Minister said “it is quite noteworthy that the Nigerian Air Force’s positive engagement of media to promote public enlightenment has received national, continental and global accolades over the past two years”.
He added that with this movie and other significant landmark achievements, their unrelenting drive to reposition the Nigerian Air Force as a leading Air Force on the continent is already yielding results.
The Chairman Nigerian Air Force Investments Limited Board of Directors, Air Vice Marshal Clem Ogbechesggs said “the actualization of the Eagle Wings Project bears eloquent testimony to the faith that the current Leadership of the Nigerian Air Force has in the ability of fellow countrymen to achieve great heights if the enabling environment is provided added that this zeal to build local capacity across several core competencies in the Nigerian Air Force”.
Air Vice-Marshal Ogbechesgss noted that the drive for robust Human Capacity Development by the current Leadership of the Service has brought about the enactment of numerous Memoranda of Understanding for strategic partnerships with notable higher educational institutions and key stakeholders across relevant fields.
He said “the Nigerian Air Force is generating and consolidating unprecedented capabilities in such areas as Combat and Combat Support Operations, Aeronautics, Surveillance and Geospatial Technologies, to mention just a few”.
He added that Nigerian Air Force Investments Limited stands ready to build on the synergy demonstrated by the unique partnership which birthed “Eagle Wings”. As they look k forward to even more collaborations to showcase and honour the sacrifices of our Heroes – Past, Present and Future.
Many dignitaries were in attendance including all the cast of Eagle Wings.
Meanwhile, the Air Chief encouraged Nigerian Air Force Investments Limited and Papel Image Tech to ensure the sustainability of this commendable effort by producing more movies that depict other aspects of contributions of the Nigerian Air Force, and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria as a whole, to national security.
Nnenna.O
