Nigeria Air Force, AIB Partner on Air Safety

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Tuesday in Abuja agreed to explore areas of cooperation to enhance aviation safety in the country.

This agreement was reached recently when the new Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Akin Olateru paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar in the latter’s office in Abuja.

The Chief of Air Staff, who lauded the role of AIB in promoting safety in the aviation industry, said the Air Force would be willing to extend its human and material resources to the Bureau and urged its management to identify the needed areas of assistance.

The Chief of Air Staff, said: “Accident is what nobody wants but in aviation it happens sometimes despite every effort made to prevent it”, adding that “we need to deal with issues before accident happens.”

Abubakar revealed that the Nigerian Air Force has upgraded its medical and training facilities spread across the country to boost its capacity to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies.

Earlier, Olateru commended the Nigerian Air Force for its formidable role in aviation and in the defense of the nation.

The AIB boss stressed the importance of a stronger relationship between the two bodies, adding that the Air Force is strategically placed to help during emergencies with its facilities spread across the country.

“There are a lot you can do for us in training. We know you don’t joke with training in Nigerian Air Force. We need to have cooperation with you in developing human capital. We also need a documented emergency response plan in which you can play a very critical role”, said Olateru.