The Chief of Air Staff, CAS, Oladayo Amao, says the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, will exploit the possibility of tapping into the abundant skills and competences that abound within Nigerians in the diaspora.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement, on Saturday, in Abuja.
According to Gabkwet, Amao stated this when he played host to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
The CAS assured the commission of NAF’s interest in seeking partnership with Nigerians in diaspora, especially those with expertise in the fields of human capacity development, technological advancement and other areas relevant to defence and security.
He also expressed support for the proposed Diaspora Defence and Security Conference to be held very soon in the country.
Mr Amao noted that the proposed conference would serve as the most appropriate avenue for NAF and other government agencies, to synergise and exploit the enormous resource base of Nigerians plying their trades overseas for national development.
The CAS commended Dabiri-Erewa for her selfless service to Nigeria, as well as for effectively engaging Nigerians in the diaspora for meaningful contributions to national development.
This, he said, was not surprising in view of her rich pedigree as a public servant and as a politician.
In her remarks, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa noted that the commission was looking forward to synergising and collaborating with NAF, particularly in the areas of defence and security, human capacity development and any other fields of interest to NAF.
She noted that several Nigerians worldwide excelling in various endeavours, including military-related fields, had expressed interest in returning home to contribute their quota towards national development.
Mrs Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed that the proposed conference was expected to serve as a perfect medium for cross-fertilisation of ideas and strategies towards tackling the current security challenges facing the nation.
She also used the opportunity to thank the service for its support to the commission, particularly in the airlift of stranded Nigerians in diaspora.
NAN
