Air Chief urges revival of mentorship culture for Non-Commissioned Officers

Air Chief urges revival of mentorship culture for Non-Commissioned Officers

In a Retreat held for Air Warrant Officers (AWOs) and Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) across the nation, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, delivered a charge emphasizing the promotion of mentorship, discipline, regimentation, professionalism, and efficient service delivery.

The CAS urged AWOs and RSMs to actively engage in mentoring junior airmen and airwomen by sharing their extensive knowledge, skills, and experiences within the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Air Commodore Edward Gavkwet, the NAF Spokesman, shared details of the retreat in a statement.

Expressing concern over a decline in mentoring within the Non-Commissioned Officers’ (NCO) cadre over the years, the air chief urged AWOs and RSMs to revive the culture of mentorship in their respective units. He highlighted the pivotal role that AWOs and RSMs play as the link between officers’ cadres and other ranks, emphasizing the need for impartiality in discharging their responsibilities.

CAS Abubakar underscored the importance of upholding high standards of discipline, noting that AWOs and RSMs bear the responsibility of ensuring that airmen and airwomen remain disciplined in their duties. He addressed the rising trend of indiscipline, linked to drug abuse, sentry duty offences, and Absence Without Leave (AWOL) cases, calling for a halt to the trend and emphasizing the crucial role AWOs and RSMs can play in addressing these issues.

The air chief urged constant interaction with subordinates to address personal and service-related matters, emphasizing the need for AWOs and RSMs to take ownership of service properties with the same passion and care as personal items. He stressed the importance of regular cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance of NAF buildings, hangars, and operational facilities, urging AWOs and RSMs to instil a robust maintenance culture within their units.

Regarding safety, CAS Abubakar emphasized that the recently held 2023 Safety Review Board outcomes could only be realized through collective ownership of operational and personal safety. He called for the internalization of safety culture among airmen and airwomen, emphasizing consistent adherence to safety standards and regulations to prevent mishaps in operations and fire hazards within barracks.

The Retreat included briefings by AWOs and RSMs on activities in their respective Areas of Responsibility, highlighting the collaborative efforts toward enhancing mentorship, discipline, and overall operational effectiveness within the NAF.

Air Chief urges revival of mentorship culture for Non-Commissioned Officers