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· As Air Force Pilots, Special Forces For Aerial Assets Manning Graduate
Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, has reassured that assets under the Deep Blue Project will be given the necessary attention in maintaining them to effectively provide security for Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
Jamoh spoke in Lagos at the pilots’ graduation ceremony and other air assets trainees under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (INSWPI).
A statement issued by Assistant Director Public Relations of NIMASA, Osagie Edward, revealed that 43 officers and men of the Nigerian Air force received certificates for specialised training as pilots and copilots for the Special Mission Aircraft, Special Mission Specific Equipment Operators, Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, operators of the Unmanned Aerial Systems and C4i operators for effective platform manning.
Jamoh explained that the graduation of the air assets crew was another significant aspect of the Deep Blue Project, which he described as “our intervention in our nation’s maritime security.”
Speaking further, he appreciated the Nigerian Air Force for its commitment to the project with particular reference to providing facilities for in-country training of the pilots and others to complete the training module, having completed the technical component abroad.
He added that the challenge is not about deploying the assets but about its maintenance and sustaining the tempo of the project so that it can outlive the present generations and continue to benefit future generations. He restated the agency’s commitment to effective management of the assets.
Jamoh, who noted that the progress made so far was encouraging, added that intelligence gathering within the maritime domain had reached new heights with recent video evidence of improper ballast water discharge in the nation’s waters.
“This project as you are aware is the first of this kind and we are doing so many things for the first time as a civilian agency of government working with the Armed Forces. Our commitment is unflinching,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, said the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project, has repositioned the Nigerian Air Force to effectively support NIMASA to provide an investment-friendly environment through the provision of adequate security.”
Amao, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations of the Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal JMD Gwani commended the Management of NIMASA for its commitment to seeing through the successful implementation of the Deep Blue Project.
“I must say that the graduation of these Nigerian Air Force personnel today, who will be operating alongside personnel from sister security agencies resonates with the CAS’ vision to enhance and sustain airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national imperatives.
“I am delighted to note that all these have strategically repositioned the Nigerian Air Force to effectively support NIMASA to provide an investment-friendly maritime environment through the provision of adequate security,” he stated.
On his part, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the synergy between NIMASA and the Nigerian Armed Forces to secure the nation’s territorial waters.