President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated two Agusta 109 Power and MI-171E helicopter gunships into Nigerian Air Force infantry, thanking the governments of Italy and Russia, who provided the helicopters to Nigeria. The event took place at the Eagles Square, Abuja.
“I commend the support of the Governments of Italy and the Russian Federation, in particular efforts of the Italian and Russian Ambassador to Nigeria at sustaining the strategic partnership between our countries, which facilitated this acquisition.
“We will continue to take steps that would deepen our bilateral relations. This administration has taken concrete steps to make the investment climate as friendly as possible for foreign investors and we will strive to maintain this tempo.
“The degree of confidence of foreign investors in our country is growing and efforts are ongoing to attract more foreign investment in the non-oil sector of the economy so as to achieve the level of diversification we desire to see in our economy.
President Muhammadu Buhari thanks Nigerians as he unveils 2X Agusta 109P Gunship and Mi-17 1E Medium Lift Helicopters into the service of the Nigerian Air Force. [Twitter/@BashirAhmaa
Buhari reassured that his administration would continue to fund and equip the military in order to address the challenges of insecurity across the country.
He expressed the hope that the deployment of the new helicopter gunships would help in suppressing the activities of insurgents, bandits and kidnappers in the country.
He said: “It is noteworthy that professionalism, capacity building and adequately equipping the Armed Forces and other security agencies are a major policy thrust of this Administration.
“We promise to re-professionalise and re-equip the Armed Forces and security agencies to effectively discharge their duties to our nation.
“I have no doubt that the deployment of these Agusta 109P gunships and the M-17IE helicopter would add impetus to the combat efficiency of the Air Force in combating our contemporary security challenges.
President Muhammadu Buhari thanks Nigerians as he unveils 2X Agusta 109P Gunship and Mi-17 1E Medium Lift Helicopters into the service of the Nigerian Air Force. [Twitter/@BashirAhmaad]
“We are committed to taking the right steps in achieving the desired results. The acquisition of these aircraft amongst other military equipment despite our budgetary constraints is an expression of our commitment.”
The President enjoined officers and men of the Nigerian Airforce to ensure they maintain discipline and maintenance culture, to enhance the use and lifespan of the helicopters.
“I therefore expect discipline in operation and a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation to derive maximum benefits from this acquisition,” he said.
President Buhari lauded the security agencies for their invaluable contributions toward addressing the menace of insurgency and banditry in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari thanks Nigerians as he unveils 2X Agusta 109P Gunship and Mi-17 1E Medium Lift Helicopters into the service of the Nigerian Air Force. [Twitter/@BashirAhmaad]
The president said: “I want to, once again, salute the resolve of our Armed Forces and the invaluable contributions of all security agencies for their efforts towards the decimation of Boko Haram.
