The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, has launched a two-pronged empowerment initiative aimed at equipping youths in Nigerian Air Force (NAF) barracks with vocational skills, mentorship and educational opportunities to promote self-reliance and reduce unemployment.
The programmes, known as the CAS Fellowship Programme and the CAS Youth Technical and Vocational Skills Development Programme, are designed to provide practical skills, foster economic independence and support community development within NAF communities.
Speaking at the unveiling of the initiative, Air Marshal Aneke said the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to investing not only in its operational capabilities but also in the welfare and development of its personnel and their families.
He described the programmes as a landmark initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of young people living in Air Force barracks.
“This is a landmark initiative deliberately designed to uplift, inspire and equip young people within our base communities with the skills and opportunities they require to thrive in an increasingly competitive world,” Aneke said.
According to him, the programmes are intended to ignite hope, nurture talent and create opportunities for the children and dependants of military personnel, who often bear the impact of deployments, frequent relocations and the demands of military life.
He noted that many young people residing in Air Force barracks possess exceptional talent and potential but require the right support, mentorship and exposure to succeed.
The Air Chief said the initiative would bridge existing gaps through targeted skills acquisition, educational support and mentorship, adding that it was conceived as a long-term framework for identifying and developing talent rather than a one-off intervention.
“Our goal is to nurture a generation of confident, self-reliant and purpose-driven dependants who will excel in their chosen fields of endeavour,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the Nigerian Air Force for supporting the Federal Government’s youth empowerment agenda through programmes focused on skills development, education, innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Represented by the ministry’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Anthony Chukwuka, the minister encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity with discipline and commitment.
He also pledged the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Air Force to expand similar empowerment initiatives for young Nigerians.
