Mohammed Shosanya
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) commitment to accountability and financial prudence as key pillars of its operational effectiveness.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the 2024 NAF Finance Seminar held on Thursday at the MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters NAF, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the importance of efficient resource management to support the demands of modern air power.
A statement signed by Group Captain Kabiru Ali,Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information,quoted the CAS as emphasizing the critical role of the Accounts and Budget Branch, noting that effective financial management is not only an operational necessity but also a moral obligation.
In his remarks to open the seminar, he also underscored the need for officers to embrace accountability in financial dealings, stressing that accountability is the foundation upon which trust is built, both within the Air Force and with the Nigerian public.
He implored participants to come up with innovative solutions that would enhance the NAF’s operational capabilities and ensure every financial resource is used judiciously.
He commended the Accounts and Budget Branch for organizing the seminar and bringing together finance experts to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Before declaring the seminar open, Air Marshal Abubakar urged participants to engage actively with the esteemed resource persons present, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing improvements in the NAF’s financial management systems.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (CAB), Air Vice Marshal CU Nwagwu, noted that the 2024 Finance Seminar aims to enhance the professional capacity of NAF finance personnel in managing public funds to support the NAF’s mission.
He explained that the theme of the seminar,”Fostering a Culture of Accountability in the Management of NAF Finances in Support of Contemporary Air Power Demands,” reflects the drive to ensure transparency in financial transactions, promote ethical behavior, and optimize the use of limited resources.
He expressed his gratitude to the Chief of the Air Staff, the Special Guest of Honour, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya mni, and other distinguished guests for attending the event despite their busy schedules.
During the 2-day seminar, a keynote lecture along with three other presentations will be delivered, followed by in-depth discussion sessions designed to extract key lessons from each,the statement quoted .
The keynote lecture, titled “Managing Financial Resources in the Face of Rising Contemporary Security Challenges: Federal Government Financial Reforms in Perspective,” was presented by Mrs. Lydia Jafiya,the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
In her keynote lecture, Mrs Jafiya emphasized the importance of commitment from the government, its agencies and citizens alike for smooth running of the affairs of government.
She added that the peace-development nexus is a roadmap to progress and it is required in defining engagement between the military and public financial management which she said is symbiotic.
According to her, without security, economic activities are stifled, revenue generation suffers, and the capacity of the nation and sub-nationals to finance their developmental operations diminishes.
