The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, on Monday, presented cheques to  beneficiaries of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy, marking the official activation of the policy.

Mr Abubakar, during the presentation, said the policy was also in fulfilment of one of the key drivers of his command philosophy, which is “Maintaining a Highly Motivated Force by Enhancing Welfare and Infrastructural Renewal.”

He said that the human element was the most critical in any organisation, being the driving force behind all organisational success.

According to him, to unlock its full potential, the human element must be motivated through comprehensive welfare initiatives, including recognition, compensation, and opportunities for growth.

“When personnel feel valued and inspired, they become empowered to break barriers, conquer new frontiers and make personal sacrifices for the call of duty,” he said.

The CAS said that the policy provides compensation for bodily injuries, temporary or permanent disabilities, and even death.

He said it also covers medical expenses incurred as a result of accidents and offers salary reimbursement while the personnel are hospitalised.

According to him, the policy runs concurrently with existing insurance policies, filling in the financial gaps that are not covered by other schemes.

“The presentation of cheques to the first set of beneficiaries addresses a critical welfare need for the affected personnel and their families.

“While these cheques cannot undo the loss or reverse the disabilities suffered, they provide some comfort and reassure survivors that the Nigerian Air Force stands firmly with them.

“They also convey a strong message to all personnel who bravely serve this great nation, that the Service will never abandon them,” he added.

Mr Abubakar paid tribute to the fallen heroes and wounded warriors for their immense sacrifices made in the line of duty.

He, however, assured that NAF would continue to stand by the families they left behind.

He used the occasion to honour NAF Flying Officer David Sangokoya, who emerged the best graduating cadet and won the highly coveted International Cadet Sword of Honour for 2023-2024 from the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.

The air chief said the achievement was truly ground-breaking, being the first time that any cadet from the African continent had won such a prestigious award since the inception of the Academy.

This feat, according to him, underscores the excellence that exists within the NAF, proving that our officers and cadets can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.

The Chief of Administration, NAF, AVM Idi Sani, said that NAF had made remarkable efforts toward providing standard accommodation and revamping schools and hospitals infrastructures to carter for its serving and retired personnel and their families.

Mr Sani said that the service insures its personnel against adverse fallouts of active engagements but had gone further to institutionalise another incentive that provides further cushioning for personnel who may have suffered death, disability or injury through accidents of duty.

He said the event had unveiled the comfort of the GPAIP, which provides compensation for the incapacitation of personnel as well as offsets medical expenses that are solely and directly incurred from accidents involving the insured persons.

He said the insurance policy will provide salary reimbursement of the insured personnel to the Nigerian Air Force while hospitalised.

One of the beneficiaries, Yusuf Yakubu, on behalf of others, thanked the NAF for identifying with the various families that lost their loved ones while in service.

Mr Yakubu said that even though the losses were irreplaceable, they were consoled by the fact that the loss of their beloved family members was not in vain.

“Under your administration, you went beyond the rhetoric of prioritising personal welfare to ensuring it is strategically executed and our presence here today is a testament to this remarkable achievement of yours,” he said.

(NAN)