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Ogun State government has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force school and Air Force base to complement the security architecture of the state.

According to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the school will provide quality education and instill strong moral values in children, while the base will strengthen the state’s security and foster socio-economic growth.

Abiodun made the demands at a meeting with a delegation from the Chief of Air Staff, led by Air Vice Marshal Enebong Effiom, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Tuesday.

The visit is a follow-up to a meeting Governor Abiodun had on Monday with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, where he reaffirmed the state’s readiness to strengthen its collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enhance security and aviation growth within the state.

The governor maintained that his administration remains committed to making Ogun a hub for security, investment, and infrastructure development.

He said, “I had the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Air Staff yesterday (Monday) at his office in Abuja, and we exchanged ideas on a lot of issues, particularly regarding the airport.

“I shared with the Chief of Air Staff that having an airport also provides us the opportunity to have the men and women of the Nigerian Air Force complement our security architecture and that my desire is not just for us to have the Air Force at the airport, but to have an Air Force base here in Ogun State.

“We believe that because we have the Nigerian Army in Abeokuta, the Police, and the Nigerian Navy School here, we also need the Nigerian Air Force.

“I also spoke to the Chief of Air Staff yesterday about going beyond a base and looking at how we can partner with you to have an Air Force school in Ogun State, and that is something we are very passionate about in Ogun State.”

“Whatever it is that we can do to support that initiative, you can take it for granted, so that we also have the opportunity to encourage our citizens in the state to join the Nigerian Air Force.

“If we can begin to nurture these young ones and incubate them in the right atmosphere of learning, they will have a better understanding of what kind of career opportunities it can provide for them,” the governor noted.

Abiodun revealed that he has offered one of the unused model schools as a temporary base, alongside plans to provide offices and accommodation for Air Force personnel at the airport.

“I had offered one of our institutions, our model school that has not been put into use, to reduce the burden that comes with setting up a base for the Air Force.

“In the meantime, I can authoritatively say that with the support of the Chief of Air Staff, we will have the Air Force presence at the airport almost immediately. We will build a suitable office for the Air Force at the airport, and we will provide accommodation for the personnel who will be providing the services required at the airport,” the governor added.

Meanwhile he appreciated the Chief of Air Staff for sending the delegates made up of very senior officers adding that, his administration is ready to welcome the force into the state.