The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), yesterday, 3 December 2020, commenced a 2-day Workshop for its Head Nurses, to equip them for more effective discharge of their leadership responsibilities whilst remaining professional in the performance of their duties in support of air operations. The workshop, with the theme “Transformational Leadership in Nursing”, was inaugurated by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Musa Mukhtar, at the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMS&AM), Kaduna.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the CAS stated that NAF platforms are operated by personnel who need to be in a state of good health at all times in order to discharge their duties effectively for the Service to achieve its objectives. He said medical personnel, especially nurses, who are at the frontline of ensuring good health and well-being of personnel and their families, therefore need to be adequately trained and properly motivated for them to perform optimally. He also observed that current security trends in the country and around the world require transformational leaders, who would think outside the box to find solutions to challenges. He noted that it was such considerations that necessitated the holding of the workshop, which, he said, was part of the overall deliberate steps taken by the current Federal Government Administration, since 2015, to improve the capacity of the NAF for greater productivity in all areas of specialization.

Speaking further, the CAS noted that a collective commitment to excellence was paramount if the Service was to effectively discharge its constitutional roles. He urged the nurses to be disciplined, proficient, hard working, loyal and resilient to succeed in their profession. He said the NAF expects a lot from them in setting standards in terms of transformation, loyalty and discipline. The CAS therefore charged them to endeavour to exemplify the sterling qualities for which the noble profession of Nursing is known, whilst epitomising the NAF Core Values of ‘Integrity’, ‘Service before Self’ and ‘Excellence’. The CAS further encouraged the participants to keep on giving their best in dealing with the security challenges facing the Nation. “I am confident that, with our continued commitment and sustained effort, we shall overcome every threat to the peace and security of our country, Nigeria”, he said. Air Marshal Abubakar commended the Chief of Medical Services as well as the Director of Nursing Services, for their efforts in building the capacity of NAF nurses. He also appreciated the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for all their support and cooperation towards the improvement of nursing services and education in the NAF.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant NAFSMS&AM, Air Commodore Glenn Nkanang, expressed his appreciation to the CAS for his unflinching commitment to human capacity development as well as his tireless support to the school. He noted that a total of 65 participants, comprising nurses from all NAF hospitals, medical centres and clinics, were present at the workshop. He further noted that the training underlines the CAS’ vision of ensuring qualitative training of manpower for the NAF and his commitment to supporting the growth of Nursing, in particular, and the Medical Services Branch, as a whole.

Also present at the event were Commanders and Commandants of co-located NAF units.