The new Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Mrs. Nuratu Batagarawa, has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its transformational and developmental strides under the leadership of Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Batagarawa, who led other directors in the MOD to NAF Headquarters, Abuja, Wednesday on a familiarisation visit, also pledged the continuous support of the Ministry to the NAF to achieve its constitutional mandate.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the MOD would leverage on the already existing cordial working relationship between the Ministry and the NAF to promote better understanding.

She explained that neither of the two organisations could function effectively without the other, saying: “We can only achieve our mandates if we work together as a team and my doors are always open to the NAF so as to achieve set goals with renewed vigour, confidentiality and speed.”

In his response, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that the complex and very complicated security issues in the 21st Century require strategic partnership and collaboration.

While promising to continue working closely with the Ministry, the CAS said the role of air power in the defence of the nation is very critical if the nation is to achieve its full economic potentials.

Air Marshal Abubakar, assured the new Permanent Secretary of the support of the NAF to enable her succeed in her new role.

The new Permanent Secretary took over from, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, on October 9, 2017.