Air Vice Marshal Gabriel Friday Abdul was born on 19 October 1953 at Ogodu in Omalla Local Government Area of Kogi State.  He attended Native Authority Primary School Ogudu, CMML School at Ayangba and Ochaja Secondary School, all in Kogi State.  AVM GF Abdul was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 13 Regular Course on 2 January 1973 and was commissioned second Lieutenant in 1975.

PROMOTION LADDER

Pilot officer GF Abdul was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer on 2 July 1977 and became a Flight Lieutenant, 4 years latter, in July 1981.  He rose to the rank of Squadron Leader in July 1986 and attended the rank of Wing Commander in July 1991.  He became a Group Captain in July 1996 and was elevated to the rank of Air Commodore in July 2001. He was promoted to his present rank of Air Vice Marshal in July 2004.

COURSES ATTENDED

Air Vice Marshall GF Abdul has attended several courses both at home and overseas.  They include 27 Electrical and Instruments course at RAF cranwell, UK, Sky Servant Conversion Course at Dornier, Germany and Sky Servant Aircraft Electrical Type-Rating and Management Course also in Germany.  Others include Junior and Senior Command and Staff Course in Jaji-Kaduna and National Defence Course at Washington DC, USA. The Senior officer holds a Diploma in Telecommunication and a Bachelor of Science (Degree) in Engineering both from the University of Ife.  He also holds a Masters Degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defence University, Washington DC, USA.
 

APPOINTMENTS HELD

In the course of his career, Air Vice Marshal GF Abdul has held several appointments.  Some of them are Squadron Commander, Electrical Squadron, Engineering wing, Kaduna, Head of Electrical Engineering Department, 320 Technical Training Group, Kaduna.  Others are Staff Officer Grade II Plans, and staff officer Grade I facility, both at the Directorate of Air Engineering, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.

He was a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff Colleges of Jaji-Kaduna and Thesie, Ghana.  He served briefly at the Joint Armed Forces Petroleum Trust Fund and was commander, Headquarter Nigerian Air Force Camp, Abuja. He latter became the Director of Air Engineering at Headquarters,  Nigerian Air Force, Abuja the appointment he held till he was appointed as the Air Officer in charge of Logistics.

HONOURS AND AWARDS

In recognition to his contribution to the NAF and Nigeria, AVM Abdul was honoured with the following awards: Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Pass Staff Course (psc +).  He is also a fellow of the National Defence College.

FAMILY DATA/HOBBIES

AVM Abdul is happily married and is blessed with 4 children, 3 girls and a boy.  His hobbies include watching television and listening to Gospel and Country Music.  He is an ardent lover of football.