Chief Of Air Staff Tasks Officers On Fitness

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar, says it is essential for Air Force personnel to always keep fit by doing exercises in order to respond promptly to security challenges.

Umar gave the advice  in Abuja after a five-kilometre walk organised by officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Represented by AVM Gbolahan Adekunle, the Chief of Policy and Plans at the NAF Headquarters, Umar urged the officers to take the exercise seriously.

He said they should understand the current security situation in the country in which they might be called upon at short notice to provide security.

“You are, therefore, expected to be able to respond promptly as personnel that we are supposed to be. This can only happen if you are fit and ready.’’

Umar also said the exercise was one of the important programmes in the NAF sporting calendar, adding that the walk was a prelude to the annual 10-kilometre exercise in May.

“The essence of the exercise is that as security personnel, we are expected to maintain a minimum level of fitness.

“It is good for us to individually keep fit and prepare ourselves not just for the 10-kilometre exercise but for our daily chores.’’

One of the participants who took part in the exercise, Wing Commander Wap Maigida, said the exercise was inspiring.

He said it would keep the officers fit to respond promptly to security challenges.

Our correspodnent reports that the exercise took the officers round some major streets within the Abuja metropolis.