President Muhammadu Buhari has just announced the appointment of new service chiefs who would immediately be expected to stabilise a country beleaguered by acute insecurity.

One of the new appointees is Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao. Peoples Gazette brings you a peek into the man who would now commandeer the nation’s air military assets.

Background

Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao was born September 14, 1965 at Enugu. He hails from Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State. 

Academic Training

He attended the following academic schools: Nuhu Bamali Pry School Kaduna from 1971 – 77, Command Secondary School Kakuri Kaduna from 1977 – 82, Federal College of Freshwater and Fisheries Technology (FCFFT) New Bussa from 1994 – 96, University of Madras India from 2002 – 2003, Kaduna Polytechnic from 2005 – 2006 and National Defence University China from 2012 – 2013.

Military Training

Mr. Amao enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on January 19, 1984 as a member of 35 NDA Regular Course and was commissioned as Pilot Officer on December 20, 1986. 

He started his Primary Flying Training at 301 Flying Training School (FTS) Kaduna from 1987 – 1989, did the Basic Flying Training at 303 FTS Kano from 1990 – 92 and Tactical Fighter Training at 99 Air Combat Training Group (99 ACTG) Kainji from 1993 – 99. 

Thereafter, he went for Instructor Pilot Course at 301 FTS Kaduna from 2004 – 2005.

Service Postings

The senior officer had served in following NAF Units: 99 ACTG Kainji as Trainee/Sqn Pilot from 1993 – 2004, 301 FTS Kaduna as Instructor Pilot/Sqn Pilot from 2004 – 2007, NAF Headquarters, Abuja as Air Assistance to Chief of Air Staff from September 2008 – May 2010.

He was at Nigerian High Commission London as Deputy Defence Adviser from May 2010 – August 2012 and Acting Defence Adviser from November 2011 – February 2012, Defence Headquarter as Assistant Director of operation from August 2013 – January 2014.

He returned to 99 ACTG as Commander from January 25, 2014 – January 25, 2015, then to 75 Strike Group (75 STG) as Commander from January 20, 2015 – February 16, 2016.

AVM Alao became the Air Component Commander of operation ZAMAN LAFIYA / LAFIYA DOLE (North East operation) from February 13, 2015 – February 16, 2016. There, he doubled as Acting Deputy Theater Commander (Air Ops) for operation LAFIYA DOLE from January 4, 2016 – February 16, 2016.

He was then appointed Director of Policy (DOPOL) at HQ NAF, Abuja from February 16 – May 27 and Director of Operations (DOO) at NAF Headquarters, Abuja from May 27 – September 6, 2016. Director of Training (DOT) at NAF Headquarters, Abuja from September 6, 2016 – December 22, 2016 and Director of Operations (DOO) at NAF Headquarters from December 22, 2016 – 29 January 2018. 

Until his present elevation, AVM Alao was the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (TAC).

Fighting Missions

He is a fighter pilot and has participated in various operations such as: Draw Down of AFISMA operation in Mali from Aug 2013 – January 2014, Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA from February 20 – 19 July 19, 2015 and Operation LAFIYA DOLE (North East operations) from 19 July 19, 2015 – 16 February 16, 2016. 

Honours

His decorations include: Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), General Service Medal (GSM), River Benue Star (RBS), Passed Staff College (psc) and Fellow National Defence University (FNDU) China.

Special Service Trainings

The senior officer has attended several military courses which include: Junior Division Course at Armed Forces Command Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji from June – December 1986, Senior Division Course at Defence Services Staff College India from 2002 – 2003, Defence Course at National Defence University China from 2012 – 2013.

Aircraft Accident Investigation in Civil Airline at NCAT Zaria and Aircraft Accident Investigation Course at Karachi, Pakistan.

Academic Qualifications

He has the following academic qualification: M.Sc in Defence and Strategic Studies from University of Madras, India. Master of Military Science and Strategy (MMSc) and Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategy Studies from NDU China.

Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy from Kaduna Polytechnic, National Diploma in Freshwater and Fisheries Technology from FCFFT New Bussa and Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education.

Family and Hobby

AVM Amao is happily married to Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao and they are blessed with 3 lovely boys. His Hobbies include: reading, dancing, travelling, playing volleyball and golf as well as fish farming.