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History of The Nigerian Air Force |
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Former Chiefs of Air Staffs
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AIR MARSHAL NSIKAK E EDUOK (1996 – 1999) |
The twelfth Chief of the air Staff of NAF was Air Marshal Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok.
He
was born on 11 July 1947 at Mbak in Akwa Ibom State. He had his early education
in Uyo after which he worked briefly with the Voice of Nigeria (VON), as a Studio
Manager. He enlisted into the NAF as a potential pilot on 1 August 1968.
Air Marshal Eduok had his initial military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy
after which he went for primary flying training in 1970. On completion of his primary
training, he undertook the Basic Flying Training Course in 1971. He emerged as the
best-all-round student pilot in both phases. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in February 1971.
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Air Marshal Eduok attended several professional and staff courses both at home and
overseas. These include the Advanced and Tactical Flying Training Course, between
1971 and 1973; the Aircraft Accident Investigation Course in the USA between 1974
and 1975; the MiG-21 Conversion Course in the Soviet Union in 1975; the Advanced
Staff Course in the United Kingdom in 1976; and the Command and Staff College, Jaji in 1981. Between 1983 and 1986 he undertook flying courses on the MB-339 in Italy
and the L-39 in the then Czechoslovakia. In 1991, he was at the USAF Air War College from where he graduated in 1992. As a combat pilot, he flew several aircraft types
in Nigeria and overseas. Among these are the L-29, the L-39, the MiG 15 and 17,
the MiG 21 and the MB-339. He also served in various capacities in several units
within the NAF. He was the first Operations Officer of the Strike Group, Makurdi, between 1975 and 1976. He was also Commanding Officer, NAF Station Enugu, and the
first Commander of the 75 Fighter Squadron. He commanded the 301 and 303 Flying
Training Schools at
Kaduna and Kano respectively, as well as the NAF Stations in
Makurdi and Kainji. Between 1986 and 1987, he served as a Directing Staff at the
Command and Staff College, Jaji. In 1989, he was appointed Director of Plans at
HQ NAF and subsequently Director of Operations in 1990. A year later, he became
the Air Officer Commanding Training Command, as well as a member of the Armed Forces
Ruling Council (AFRC). Air Marshal Eduok also
held some nonmilitary appointments among which are: Member, Governing Council, Bayero University (BUK) Kano (1984-1986)
and NAF representative on the National Boundaries Commission (1989-1991).
On 27 August 1993, he was appointed CAS, but the appointment was reversed a week
later by the then military government. On 6 September 1994, he was redeployed as
AOC TAC and also appointed a memberof the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC). On 20
March 1995, he was appointed a member of the Federal Executive Council as Honourable
Minister for Aviation. He was in this position till his reappointment as CAS on
30 March 1996.
During his tenure as CAS, Eduok made extensive efforts at jump-starting flying training
which by this time had gone very low at the various schools. It was also his administration
that procured the first attack helicopter for the NAF. His tenure, which coincided
with the era of the Presidential Task Force projects, also saw to the building of
the NAF mini Barracks in Abuja, and notable improvements on personnel accommodation
and welfare in general. In an effort to promote the welfare of aircrew and their
morale, his administration ensured a review and significant improvement on aircrew
flying allowances. The Eduok Administration was the first to explore the possibility
of carrying out periodic depot maintenance of NAF aircraft within the country, which
was conducted
on 2 NAF C-130 aircraft.
Air Marshal Eduok received several awards and medals including the National, Defence,
Independence and Republic Medals. The NAF also honoured him with the Distinguished
Service Star and the Meritorious Service Star Medals. He holds an Honorary Doctorate
Degree of Humanities from the Cornerstone University and Seminary, Israel. |
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