Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has thanked the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for approving the establishment of an Air Force base and special training centre in the state, describing the move as a major step towards strengthening security in Abia and the South-East region.
Governor Otti made this known when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force Ground Training Command led by the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Umuahia.

During the meeting, the Governor approved 100 hectares of land within the Abia Airport Project Site for the Nigerian Air Force to establish its training base, in response to the Air Force’s request for an expansion of the earlier 50 hectares allocated for the project.
Governor Otti assured the delegation that the state government would work closely with the Air Force to ensure the success of the project and deepen the existing security partnership.
“We are going to work with the team to see how we can at the minimum increase the space to at least 100 hectares. You can take it for granted that you have at least 100 hectares of land in that place,” the Governor said.

He further assured the delegation that the state government would facilitate the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) within 30 days, noting that the process has been streamlined to encourage development and investment in the state.
Governor Otti also disclosed that the Administrative Office Complex being constructed for the Nigerian Air Force in Umuahia would be completed before the end of April, adding that the government would ensure the contractor delivers the project on schedule ahead of a planned visit by the Chief of Air Staff.
Speaking on the Abia Airport project, the Governor explained that the airport is a joint partnership between the Abia State Government and the Federal Government, with the state responsible for constructing the runway and perimeter fencing, while the Federal Government will handle the terminal building.
“We expect the runway to be ready very soon, and once the runway is operational, other components of the airport can follow gradually,” he said, adding that discussions are ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Aviation to ensure timely completion of the project.

Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde, commended Governor Otti for his administration’s proactive approach to security and support for the military.
He noted that intelligence and security reports across the South-East indicate that Abia State is currently ahead of other states in the region in terms of security stability.
“As the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command in Enugu, I receive daily security reports across the South-East states. Comparatively, Abia State is well ahead of other South-East states.
“Abia is standing out and I cannot but agree that this does not happen accidentally. It must be the result of proactive leadership and serious support for security agencies,” he said.
Air Vice Marshal Kehinde also revealed that the Chief of Air Staff is interested in expanding the Nigerian Air Force presence in Abia State, particularly at the airport site with the establishment of a Special Forces Training Centre for job training and jungle warfare operations.
He explained that the centre would significantly enhance operational readiness and strengthen security not only in Abia State but across the South-East region.

The Air Force Commander further commended the Abia State Government for renovating the NAF administrative headquarters and residential facilities for officers and airmen in Umuahia, describing them as modern and well-equipped.
He also disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff is planning to visit Abia State personally to assess the facilities being developed and appreciate the state government for its support to the Air Force.
Present during the visit were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rtd), the Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Chukwunonye Alajemba, and other top government officials.

The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs in Abia State, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, has called on Nigerian youths, including young women, to take advantage of career opportunities in the Nigerian Army by embracing military service as a noble path toward national development.

She made the call during the maiden edition of the Sensitisation Awareness Campaign on Career Prospects in the Nigerian Army, held under the theme “Guardian of the Nation: A Clarion Call.”

The commissioner described the initiative as timely and strategic, noting that it goes beyond recruitment to promote patriotism, discipline, and nation-building among the youth.

Dr. Aghukwa commended the Department of Civil‑Military Affairs, Nigerian Army for organizing the campaign, emphasizing that the programme will inspire young people to view military service as an honourable and rewarding profession.

According to her, the Nigerian Army remains one of the nation’s most respected institutions, symbolizing courage, sacrifice, and unity. She highlighted the Army’s role not only in defending the country’s territorial integrity but also in peacekeeping operations, disaster response, community development, and protection of lives and property.

The Commissioner expressed particular delight that the awareness campaign encourages participation from both men and women, stressing that the modern Nigerian Army is inclusive and offers diverse professional opportunities.

“These opportunities span various fields including engineering, medicine, law, information technology, logistics, and administration,” she said, adding that young women are equally capable of answering the nation’s call to service.

Addressing the youth, Dr. Aghukwa urged them to contribute their strength, intelligence, and integrity toward building a stronger nation.

“Military service is not merely a job; it is a noble calling that shapes character, builds resilience, and instills lifelong values,” she stated.

She further assured that the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs will continue to collaborate with relevant institutions to mobilize and empower young people especially women to explore dignified and impactful career paths such as those offered by the Nigerian Army.

Dr. Aghukwa expressed hope that the maiden edition of the campaign would strengthen engagement between the military and local communities, while inspiring a new generation of disciplined and patriotic citizens committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

In a renewed effort to bolster security coordination and reinforce inter-agency collaboration, the Brigade Commander of the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmad Dikko, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the State Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, in Umuahia.

The high-level visit, which took place at the Command Headquarters, brought together senior officers from both the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC. It underscored the shared commitment of the two security agencies to deepen operational synergy and foster a more unified approach to addressing security challenges across Abia State.

The engagement was primarily aimed at strengthening the existing partnership between the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC, with a focus on enhancing intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated responses to emerging security concerns. Both agencies acknowledged the evolving nature of security threats and the need for sustained cooperation to effectively safeguard lives, critical infrastructure, and public assets within the state.

Speaking during the visit, Brigadier General Ahmad Dikko emphasized that effective security management depends largely on collaboration, trust, and unity of purpose among security institutions. He noted that no single agency can successfully tackle modern security challenges in isolation, stressing that mutual support and seamless information exchange remain vital components of successful security operations.

The Brigade Commander further highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and fostering professional relationships at all operational levels. According to him, continuous engagement between sister agencies will significantly enhance rapid response capabilities and strengthen the overall security architecture of Abia State.

In his response, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Akinsola Aderemi, expressed profound appreciation for the visit and described it as a demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to collaborative security efforts. He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s dedication to sustaining a robust and productive working relationship with the Army and other security stakeholders in the state.

Commandant Aderemi assured the Brigade Commander of the Corps’ readiness to intensify joint operations, intelligence-driven strategies, and coordinated patrols aimed at preventing crime and maintaining public order. He reiterated that the NSCDC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, while supporting all lawful initiatives designed to promote peace and stability.

The visit concluded with renewed assurances from both leaders to continue building on the foundation of cooperation, professionalism, and shared responsibility in the collective pursuit of a safer and more secure Abia State.

Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC Correspondent, NSCDC
18th February 2026.