Gov. Aliyu calls for well equipped Air Force

October 02, 2012 18:50

NAN-H-111

NAF

Minna, Oct. 2, 2012 (NAN) Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Tuesday called for a well-equipped Nigeria Air Force (NAF) that will be positioned to ward off any external aggression against the country.

 Aliyu made the call in Minna when he received the Chairman and members of the House of Representatives Committee on the NAF.

He said: ``though the country does not pray for war, we should have a well equipped airforce to deter our neighbours from attempting to provoke us.”

Aliyu also said the country should pay more attention to the practical training of the nation’s armed forces, especially the junior officers to make them combat-ready.

``The National Assembly should help us to create a military that will be the pride of all Nigerians,’’ he said.

He also said that the country should fashion out a system to keep its military equipment from the prying eyes of other countries.

He urged the legislature to appropriate money for the arms of government and to carry out their oversight functions to ensure that any amount appropriated was released and judiciously spent.

He said that the state governments had tremendous respect for members of the National Assembly and knew their limitations.

The governor said that in spite of the drawbacks, the representatives should continue to work for the sustenance of democracy.

Earlier, Mr Kenneth Achibong, the Chairman of the House Committee, said that they were in the state on oversight duty of the Air Force.

He commended the State Government for its support to NAF and pleaded that such gesture be continued in the interest of the country.

Achibong said the House of Representatives was determined to ensure that the 2012 budget was implemented to the letter. (NAN)

OCU/DCU/OFN

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