The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has highlighted the significant role of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the successful implementation of the government’s 8-point agenda, led by President Bola Tinubu.
During her courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, recently, Dr Edu emphasized the necessity of NAF’s capabilities in reaching out to Nigerians in dire need of assistance, particularly in inaccessible areas.
Dr Edu stated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reducing the number of Nigerians requiring humanitarian aid regardless of their location. However, the minister noted that achieving this goal would only be possible with easy access to victims residing in remote or insecure areas. Therefore, she sought assurance and solicited assistance from the NAF headquarters in delivering relief materials to these needy individuals.
Furthermore, Dr Edu announced that the families of NAF veterans and those who sacrificed their lives while on duty would be included in the expanded poverty alleviation programme, set to be implemented in the coming weeks.
To ensure the accurate identification of NAF beneficiaries under this programme, the minister proposed the establishment of a humanitarian desk officer at NAF Headquarters to facilitate liaison with her ministry during the compilation and submission of the beneficiary list.
Dr Edu also commended the NAF for its ongoing support to the ministry and its parastatal in areas such as casualty evacuation, relief materials distribution, and the safe return of stranded Nigerians in conflict zones abroad.
In response, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the NAF and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. He assured the minister of the NAF’s readiness and willingness to assist in achieving the ministry’s mandate, emphasizing the importance of effective coordination as the cornerstone of successful humanitarian operations.
Furthermore, Air Marshal Abubakar proposed key areas for strengthening the partnership between the NAF and the ministry, including joint training and capacity building, as well as optimizing disaster response protocols to enhance efficiency and resource allocation. He emphasized that close collaboration would ensure aid reaches those in need promptly and effectively.
During her visit, the minister, accompanied by senior officials from her ministry, also paid tribute to fallen NAF personnel by laying a wreath at the NAF Memorial Arcade.
