Our Correspondent
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday disclosed the approval of the appointment of Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa as the new Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI).
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar who made the approval through Group Captain Kabiru Ali, the Deputy Director Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force in a press statement informed that the strategic realignment is part of the NAF’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its public and community engagement functions, while also ensuring a more robust and effective interface with the general public and stakeholders.
According to CAS, the new Spokesperson, Air Commodore Akinboyewa is expected to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor by overseeing NAF’s media engagements, strategic communications, and information dissemination while building perception, maintaining transparency and further enhancing public trust and confidence.
Air Marshal Abubakar also approved the redeployment of the erstwhile DOPRI, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, to the newly established NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch as Director of Coordination and Cooperation.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after assuming office at the NAF Headquarters Abuja at a brief ceremony, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa expressed profound gratitude to the Chief of the Air Staff for the confidence he imposed in him to entrust him with the very great responsibility of managing the image and reputation of a great service such as the Nigerian Air Force.
While promising to build on the foundation met on ground in uplifting the image of the Service to greater heights, Air Commodore Akinboyewa solicited the full support of the Media with a promise to operate open doors policy in the task ahead
He appreciated the commendable work that had been done by the former Director of Public Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, saying, ” he has done such an outstanding job of projecting the Nigerian Air Force and continuing to make sure that the public is kept aware of all the efforts that go into ensuring that Nigerians are safe to go about their lawful business.
“It’s important to also mention that the successes that he has recorded would not have been possible if not for the support and the synergy that we enjoy from our partners, the media, and your good selves.
“The new NAF Spokesperson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the NDA, a Postgraduate Diploma in Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and a Masters Degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the NDA.
“Air Commodore Akinboyewa hails from Ondo West Local Government Area in Ondo State.
“A member of the 43rd Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA),
Throughout his career, he has held numerous key command and staff appointments and attended various courses both locally and internationally.
”He is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Defence College Nigeria and an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations” he said.
Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet appreciated the robust cooperation and support given to him by the Media during his tenure, especially the Defence correspondents, and urged for more to the new spokeswoman
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mr Stanley Ogadigu commended the choice of Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa as the new NAF Spokesperson
He maintained that as a professional, he would project the image of the Service in a positive perspective before the public, as done by his predecessor.
