By Ameh Gabriel
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday, May 18, 2025, held an interdenominational church service across its formations to mark its 61st anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to faith, unity, and national service.
The commemorative service, one of several activities in a week-long celebration, was held at the NAF Protestant Cathedral, NAF Base Asokoro, Abuja, and mirrored simultaneously in other bases nationwide. It brought together officers, airmen, their families, and well-wishers in a collective expression of gratitude for the Force’s journey, resilience, and achievements over the past six decades.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Iboro Harry Etukudo, emphasized the importance of spiritual grounding in navigating the increasingly complex national security landscape.
“We must remain rooted in our values integrity, service before self, and excellence,” AVM Etukudo said. “Faith is a vital source of unity and moral strength in fulfilling our mission.”
In his sermon, the Director of Chaplaincy Services (Catholic), Group Captain Cyril Akuh, praised the NAF for its strategic contributions to national security, peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts. He urged personnel to reflect on the sacrifices of fallen heroes and to remain steadfast in their commitment to service.
“As we celebrate our successes, let us not forget the price paid—the lives lost, and the challenges overcome,” he said. “There must be a conscious renewal of purpose, discipline, and faith.”
Group Captain Akuh also highlighted the importance of personnel welfare and continued investment in infrastructure as critical to sustaining operational effectiveness.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the wife of the Chief of the Air Staff, Architect Dr. Rekiya Abubakar, Mrs. Esther Etukudo thanked NAF leadership and the chaplaincy for providing spiritual guidance. She encouraged women within the Force to continue offering unwavering support to their spouses.
“Our husbands work tirelessly to secure Nigeria,” she said. “We must remain their pillars of strength, ensuring our homes reflect the peace they strive to maintain across the nation.”
Speaking on the strategic role of the NAF, Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, noted that the Force continues to stand out across sub-Saharan Africa despite facing immense internal security challenges.
“Despite these pressures, the NAF has remained a formidable, reliable, and effective institution—respected across Africa and globally,” he stated.
The service formed a spiritual highlight of the 61st anniversary celebrations, which also featured medical outreaches, research and development exhibitions, and the induction of newly acquired aircraft.
Among the key milestones of the week was the formal induction of the Augusta 109S Trekker helicopters into the NAF fleet by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s airpower.
As the NAF continues to commemorate over six
