NAF Strengthens Civil-Military Relations As CAS Bags Traditional Title In Akwa Ibom

NAF strengthens civil-military relations as CAS bags traditional title in Akwa Ibom. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has further strengthened its Civil–Military Relations (CMR) footprint with the commissioning of a newly constructed block of classrooms and staff offices at the permanent site of Edemaya Unity College in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

In recognition of the Service’s sustained developmental interventions, the community of Edemaya conferred the traditional title “UFAN EDEMAYA”—meaning Friend of the People of Edemaya—on the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke. The honour was bestowed during the commissioning ceremony held on Friday, 20 February 2026, underscoring the growing bond between the NAF and host communities across the nation.

The project, executed under the Chief of the Air Staff Special Intervention Project initiative, comprises a fully furnished block of three classrooms, a principal’s office, and staff rooms. It was undertaken in honour of an illustrious son of Akwa Ibom State, retired Air Vice Marshal Iboro Harry Etukudo. Representing the CAS at the event, the Chief of Civil–Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the intervention as a critical component of the NAF’s non-kinetic line of operations, emphasizing that such initiatives are instrumental in winning hearts and minds while fostering enduring trust between the military and the civil populace.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet explained that the Special Intervention Project was conceptualized to honour distinguished retired senior officers by contributing meaningfully to the development of their home communities. He noted that ten similar projects have so far been commissioned nationwide, all receiving commendation from beneficiaries. The initiative, he said, not only sustains the connection between retired officers and their roots but also reinforces the NAF’s constitutional mandate of safeguarding the nation while supporting socio-economic development.

In his remarks conveyed through his representative, the Chief of the Air Staff commended Air Vice Marshal Etukudo (Rtd) for his thoughtful choice of project and expressed confidence that the new facilities would significantly enhance the quality of education in the area. He urged students, staff, and community members to maintain and utilize the facilities responsibly. The CAS also called on residents to continue living peacefully and to support security agencies with credible information necessary for ongoing efforts to rid the country of criminal elements. On the sidelines of the event, youths of Edemaya and Akwa Ibom State were encouraged to take advantage of career opportunities within the Nigerian Armed Forces in service to the nation.

Earlier, the facilitator of the project, Air Vice Marshal Iboro Harry Etukudo (Rtd), expressed profound gratitude to the Nigerian Air Force for honouring him and his community. Reflecting on his 40-year military career which began in 1985, he described the project as a testament to the Service’s appreciation of his contributions to national and continental security. He explained that the new block marks the commencement of development at the permanent site of Edemaya Unity College, established by the community to accommodate students unable to secure admission into government secondary schools due to limited facilities. He further appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to consider taking over and expanding the college to meet the growing educational needs of the area.

CAS Bags Traditional Title In Akwa Ibom

Representing the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, lauded the Nigerian Air Force for its genuine commitment to grassroots development. He noted that the project aligns seamlessly with the administration’s agenda of improving learning and living standards through modern infrastructure.

Community leaders and residents echoed these sentiments, expressing immense gratitude and presenting the CAS with a staff of honour as a symbolic affirmation of friendship and partnership. The event not only highlighted the NAF’s operational excellence but also reaffirmed its enduring commitment to nation-building through impactful community engagement.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

Umo Unveils Plans To Partner With GIFA To Boost Water Supply In Akwa Ibom

Umo unveils plans to partner with GIFA to boost water supply in Akwa Ibom… says State’s Oil wells safe.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed the Ministry for Water Resources and Sanitation and the Akwa Ibom State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, (AKRUWATSAN), to partner with the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) in ensuring that a functional water borehole is established in each of the 369 Wards of the State.

Governor Eno gave the directive during the 2nd Anniversary celebration of GIFA, at Ibom Hall, Uyo.

He said, “We would agree that GIFA has done exceptionally and exceedingly well. So, a job well done means more job to be done. As a Government, and to immortalize the desire of my dear wife , H.E. Pastor ( Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, we will partner GIFA to ensure adequate water supply in all the 369 Wards of the State.

He directed the AKRUWATSAN, and the Ministry of Water Resources And Sanitation to immediately set up modalities to collaborate with GIFA “to ensure that within the next one year, every Ward in every Local Government Area of the State has a GIFA Water Project for the benefit of our people.

“GIFA has truly shown leadership in this direction, and we will strongly partner with you. The 369 Wards of the State will have a GIFA Water Project,” he assured.

The Governor commended Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman of GIFA, Noble Lady Helen Obareki for her commitment in advancing the vision of her mother saying, “I am happy to note that this Initiative is living up to the foundational ideals and objectives of its founding. You have kept faith with the implementation of the eight thematic areas and the record of achievements so far recorded as attested to by the statistics and the impact you have just reeled off.

“Please permit me at this point to deeply and most profoundly commend my daughter and the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Helen Obareki for the great work she and her team have done in keeping this dream alive,” he added.

Governor Eno used the opportunity to appreciate the First Lady of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for the mentorship, and guidance extended to the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, and also congratulated her on her award as the Leadership Newspaper “ Person of the Year” 2026.

He also appreciated the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum, especially the wives of the Governors of Abia, Plateau and Edo States who were in attendance, for the love shown; the GIFA partners for their faith and steadfast support, and the people of Akwa Ibom State for their prayers and support.

Speaking on the oil wells issue, he reassured the people that the State’s ownership of 76 Oil Wells is absolutely incontestable and sacrosanct based on two valid judgments of Nigeria’s Supreme Court to that effect.

“Let me take this moment once again to reassure our people concerning the much- talked about oil wells. Let me say this loud and clear: there is no cause for alarm concerning our God-given resources.

“We have two Supreme Court judgments affirming our State’s ownership of the 76 Oil Wells. No committee and no government parastatal can overturn Supreme Court judgment. Akwa Ibom State does not have a maritime boundary with Cross River State but with Cameroun.

“Any attempt to shift that boundary will be tampering with the International Court of Justice’s judgment, and Nigeria as a law-abiding country will never go there.

He expressed trust in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as a strong lover and believer in the rule of law, declaring that “Akwa Ibom State will not cede any inch or one oil well belonging to the State to anyone.

“Our society is guided and shaped by the rule of law. Supreme Court has given his ruling twice on the oil well issue in our favour, and those rulings are sacrosanct. And, those oil wells belong to Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor went on to reaffirm the support of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, stating that “ we are rooting, supporting, and campaigning for him, and our State is working effectively to ensure he is returned for 2nd term come 2027, alongside our illustrious son, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, GCON.”

While he enumerated some of the life – touching projects of the State, the Governor implored the citizenry to continue to pursue the path of peace as continued development and progress of the State can only be sustained in the face of peace, love and unity.

Speaking on behalf of the wives of Governors in attendance, Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs.Priscilla Otti, commended Coordinator of the office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Obareki for the impact recorded by the pet project, and assured of support and collaboration where necessary to achieve more.

In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, on behalf of the women, felicitated GIFA for its impactful projects and programmes, appreciated Governor Eno for his gender- friendly disposition and assured that women will continue to remain strong partners of GIFA.

Umo Eno

Also speaking, Senator Effiong Bob eulogized the legacies of the departed initiator of GIFA, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, and the good works of GIFA, and assured of continuous support for more impact.

The emotion -laden event which coincided with the posthumous birthday of the departed First Lady, featured anniversary lecture by Amb. Mfon Ekpo, Chief Executive Officer, the Discovery Center/Founding Partner & Executive Director, Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, testimonies of the impact of the organisation within the last two years, cultural dance, and presentation of awards to winners of different events.

AKSU Receives N10m Boost As Osung Champions Philanthropic Interventions

A prominent philanthropist and Chairman of the Grace Efiong Osung Foundation (GEOF), Engr. Elvis Osung, has called for increased philanthropic interventions to advance education and community development, while donating N10 million to Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU).
Osung made the donation during the First Public Lecture of the Faculty of Social Sciences held at the Tetfund Pavilion, Obio Akpa Campus of the university in Oruk Anam Local Government Area on Thursday.
Delivering a lecture titled “Philanthropic Foundations as Catalysts for Educational Advancement and Community Development,” Osung expressed satisfaction over the growing global trend of philanthropic donations aimed at addressing societal challenges.
He noted that foundations are playing increasingly critical roles in tackling global and local issues, driven by the rise of high-net-worth individuals, globalization, and digital platforms which have expanded the reach and influence of philanthropic organizations.
According to him, many foundations are now engaging in strategic collaborations aligned with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), ensuring that their interventions contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.
Despite the progress, Osung highlighted several challenges confronting philanthropic interventions in education, healthcare, and community initiatives at both national and international levels. He identified issues such as accountability and transparency, alignment with local needs, sustainability of externally funded projects, and the need to strike a balance between dependency and empowerment.
“These challenges are multifaceted, encompassing issues of accountability and transparency, alignment with local needs and priorities, sustainability of externally funded projects, and the delicate balance between dependency and empowerment,” he said.
He urged philanthropists to ensure that their interventions are tailored to local realities to guarantee relevance, effectiveness, and long-term impact. Osung also encouraged members of the public to emulate the model of the Grace Efiong Osung Foundation, which he said prioritizes community engagement, leverages local expertise, and fosters partnerships beyond organizational boundaries.
Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Monday Dickson, commended Osung for his impactful contributions to society through his foundation. He expressed optimism that the lecture would broaden understanding and inspire collective action toward meaningful philanthropic engagement.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of AKSU, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, stated that the lecture had further enlightened the public on the importance of philanthropic interventions. He assured that the university would sustain the public lecture series to promote cross-fertilization of ideas and strengthen academic discourse.