Our officers ‘ll make Nigeria proud in Mali – Air chief

By JIMITOTA ONOYUME

PORT HARCOURT—Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has assured that officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on peace mission in Mali would do the nation proud.

Badeh spoke to newsmen, yesterday, at the Port Harcourt International Airport,  Omagwa, after addressing some 66 Air Force personnel shortly before they were airlifted to Mali for peace keeping operations.

He said that NAF’s mission in Mali was to promote peace in that country.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan approved a total of 1,200 troops drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force, for the operations, pointing out that his men were well prepared for the mission.

He said: “The President has empowered us to embark on the trip. Nigeria has 1,200 troops for the mission.’’

Badeh said the Air Force would airlift more of its men from Kaduna and other parts of the country for the foreign operation.

According to him, his men would remain in Mali until they achieved their goal

On allowances for the soldiers involved in the foreign mission, he said, “I can speak for the Nigerian Air force; definitely our men will get their allowance. If they do not get it, what do I tell Mr President.’’