Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force school and an Air Force base in the state to enhance security and support socio-economic development.
Governor Abiodun made the request during a meeting on Tuesday at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, with a delegation from the Chief of Air Staff, led by Air Vice Marshal Enebong Effiom. The meeting followed his earlier discussion with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, on strengthening collaboration between the state and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Abiodun emphasized that the proposed Air Force school would provide quality education and instill discipline in children, while the base would complement the state’s existing security infrastructure, which includes the Nigerian Army, Police, and Nigerian Navy School.
“I shared with the Chief of Air Staff that having an airport also provides us the opportunity to have the men and women of the Nigerian Air Force complement our security architecture. My desire is not just to have the Air Force at the airport but to establish an Air Force base here in Ogun State,” Abiodun stated.
He further revealed his administration’s commitment to supporting the initiative by offering an unused model school as a temporary base and providing office spaces and accommodation for Air Force personnel at the airport.
“In the meantime, I can authoritatively say that with the support of the Chief of Air Staff, we will have an Air Force presence at the airport almost immediately,” he added.
Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation to the Chief of Air Staff for sending a high-ranking delegation and reaffirmed Ogun State’s readiness to welcome the Nigerian Air Force’s presence in the state.