BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commissioned a special intervention project at Biseni Secondary School, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The project is aimed at strengthening civil-military relations, supporting education and fostering cooperation between the NAF and host communities.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the intervention formed part of NAF’s non-kinetic operations.
Aneke spoke through Air Vice Marshal Michael Nnanye Onyebashi, Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, at the commissioning ceremony.
He said the initiative was designed to build trust, win the hearts and minds of communities and solicit their cooperation with security agencies.
“Civil-military relations thrive on constant, robust and mutually beneficial interaction between the military and civil society,” Aneke said.
He said NAF remained committed to special intervention projects that would strengthen its relationship with communities and support ongoing security operations.
According to him, the projects also contribute to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Aneke said the initiative had produced 18 commissioned projects in communities across the country, with several others currently ongoing.
He said the Biseni project was executed in honour of Air Vice Marshal Ebimobo Ororowa Elijah Ebiowe, an indigene of the community.
The project comprises a two-bedroom apartment for the school principal and four single-bedroom apartments for teaching staff.
Aneke said the project reflected NAF’s commitment to supporting communities while remaining connected to the roots of its senior officers.
He urged the beneficiaries to maintain the facilities responsibly and called on residents to provide useful intelligence to security agencies.
The Chief of the Air Staff assured that NAF and other security agencies would continue working to protect lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ebiowe, Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, NAF, described the project as significant to him, Biseni Town and the entire Biseni Clan.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Aneke as Chief of the Air Staff, saying the appointment facilitated the intervention.
Ebiowe said the project had transformed the school’s previously dilapidated educational infrastructure and would contribute to improving learning conditions.
He explained that the intervention comprised staff accommodation and a residential facility for the principal of the secondary school.
According to him, the initiative was conceived to promote stronger collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and communities across the country.
Ebiowe said the NAF had remained committed to giving back to communities whose sons and daughters had contributed significantly to national development.
He expressed hope that similar projects would be extended to other communities across Nigeria.
The Bayelsa State Government commended the NAF for the intervention, describing it as an example of effective partnership in grassroots development.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, represented Governor Douye Diri at the ceremony.
Diri said the project aligned with his administration’s efforts to extend development and modern infrastructure to communities across the state.
He said the intervention would positively impact students while demonstrating NAF’s commitment to the socio-economic wellbeing of Bayelsans.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, commended the NAF for the intervention.
Dakolo, who is also the Ibenanawei of Epetiama Kingdom, called for more infrastructure and development projects across the Niger Delta.
The traditional ruler also commended Ebiowe for remembering his alma mater and contributing to the development of his community.
The Principal of Biseni Secondary School, Mr Larry George, expressed appreciation to the NAF, Ebiowe and the Bayelsa Government.
George said the project marked a new chapter for the school and would inspire students to aspire to greater achievements.
As part of additional support, the SSG pledged a 3.5KVA solar power system for the school.
The General Manager of the Bayelsa State Electricity Company, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, pledged computer sets for the school.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, also pledged classroom desks, to be delivered within two weeks.
The commissioning ceremony featured the presentation of souvenirs to Governor Diri, Air Marshal Aneke, AVM Ebiowe and King Dakolo.
The project was subsequently commissioned by Ayawei, who represented the governor at the ceremony.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives promoting education, community welfare and mutual trust with host communities.
The school also pledged to sustain academic excellence and called for continued partnerships to provide students with 21st-century education.
Among dignitaries at the event were members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Henry Marah and Hon. Kambai Samuel Kozah.
Others included the Managing Director of BECL, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, and Director-General of the Bayelsa Due Process Bureau, Hon. Aaron Nicodemus Timiye.
The Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Council, Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, and Paramount Ruler of Biseni, HRH David Obuma, also attended.
Traditional rulers, members of ANCOPSS and other
community stakeholders were also present.
Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively.
He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.
He began his journalism career in The Republic Newspaper, Lagos in 1987 as a Special Correspondent in Benin City, Edo State.
In 1990, he was posted from Lagos to old Anambra State as a State Correspondent in Enugu.
In 1994, he joined the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Ibadan, Oyo State, Publisher of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers where he rose to the rank of Southeast Bureau Chief.
Retiring from the mainstream traditional media in 2019, he began another journey in online newspaper publication.
He was the Overall Best Reporter in 2015, an award bestowed on him by Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State.
He has attended several workshops/seminars organised by multi-nationals, government institutions, local and international media including BBC.
He is also a unionist and had held top positions as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists of Enugu Correspondents’ Chapel and State Council of NUJ, respectively. He was also a one-time Enugu State Secretary of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
