The “Bola Tinubu Colloquium”, a yearly event in its 9th year put together to celebrate the birth of Nigerian political juggernaut, an event attended by politicians and other important dignitaries, held yesterday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
The theme of this year’s colloqium was titled “MAKE IT IN NIGERIA” Use what we make, Make what we use.
One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of the chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar.
His presentation was themed “Nigerian Air Force Research and Development Efforts towards Self Reliance Achievements and Deliverables”
He started his presentation by thanking the present government of Nigeria for the effort being put to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the country. He gave a brief history about using aircrafts to fight wars.
He went ahead to talk about the high costs of fighting terrorism, especially in a recession in Nigeria, and the high cost of procuring fighter jets, ammunition and most especially the parts used to maintain the jets. According to him, it’s as a result of these costs that a research team was set up, with the approval of the federal government and support form Nigerian universities and Innoson Motors, to develop replica spare parts that meet international standards for the jets of the Nigerian Air force.
Speaking on the success of the research team, the Chief of Air Staff said the team has been able to produce parts at cheaper costs in Nigeria for the jets and these parts meet required standards and have been tested and confirmed good.
One of such is the electrolyte for the F-7NI Aircraft, manufactured through the research team, in collaboration with Benue State University.
Brake pads for Alpha jets that usually cost a fortune are also currently being mass produced in Nigeria by Innoson motors.
NAF Alpha Jets and the NAF L-37ZA is also being weaponized locally to international standards, and are currently used to fight the insurgency in North Eastern Nigeria.
In his closing remarks, the Chief of Air staff said the research team is one of the best things to happen to the Nigerian Air Force, He also gave credits to Nigerian universities for their brilliance in making this a reality. He said these locally made spare parts have further reduced the costs of fighting terror in Nigeria.