As the war against terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity heats on, the appointment of fresh hands is expected to yield visible results, maybe not immediately, but in the nearest present.
The Nigerian Air force remains a vital arm of the Nigeria Armed Forces as the Buhari administration may have placed its last set of cards on the table as a last resort to calm troubled waters in the Northeast. AVM Isiaka AMAO is on the frontline this time.
The herculean task ahead
While the Air Force has recorded a number of feats in its counter terrorism operations, there is yet so much more left to accomplish before the flute of peace and be uninterruptedly heard in the region.
In ensuring the security of the country, the NAF is tasked with sniffing out Boko Haram terrorists from the Northeast and putting the noisily bitter terror by Fulani herdsmen and kidnappers in the Northwest and North central to a silent sleep.
Being the fulcrum that ties all the components involved in fighting the war, the tedious role throwing its hands over the new NAF Chief cannot be downplayed in any way, even with the availability of state of the art weaponry.
How to win the air
Building and expanding the Nigeria Air Force’s (NAF) aerial capability to counter insurgency efforts will come in handy in the sustained fight against the country’s hallowed foes. Isiaka Amao is expected to blend the NAF’s various Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to provide valuable information on the enemy’s disposition, troops’ strength and composition.
Isiaka Amao is expected to help the NAF distribute its platforms judiciously while an integrated observation system is maintained. In other words, dispersing the lethality of the NAF utilizing new weapons, sensors, training, and tactics to defeat the aggressors, identifying and plaguing the enemies would be a renewed force in the offensive combat of dangerous elements.
According to Ekene Lionel, a defense technology analyst, when an offensive campaign is waged by diverse aircraft (fighters, trainers, transport, helicopters, UCAS, etc) scattered over many miles, the enemy is challenged in determining where to focus its response. Such an angle is what analytic Nigerians and, maybe, the Federal government would be expectant of, to heap more spoils from the battle of insecurity and get more value out of each warfighting asset.
Bio
The Enugu born Air Chief doubtlessly holds the tendency to achieve these and even more owing to his wealth of experience and gentle but comfort-free ascension to the highest level of the Nigeria Air force.
Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao was born on 14 Sep 65 at Enugu. He hails from Oshogbo LGA of Osun State. He attended the following academic schools: Nuhu Bamali Pry School Kaduna from 1971 – 77, Command Secondary School Kakuri Kaduna from 1977 – 82, Federal College of Freshwater and Fisheries Technology (FCFFT) New Bussa from 1994 – 96, University of Madras India from 2002 – 2003, Kaduna Polytechnic from 2005 – 2006 and National Defence University China from 2012 – 2013.
He enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on 19 Jan 1984 as a member of 35 NDA Regular Course and was commissioned as Pilot Officer on 20 Dec 86. He started his Primary Flying Training at 301 Flying Training School (FTS) Kaduna from 1987 – 1989, did the Basic Flying Training at 303 FTS Kano from 1990 – 92 and Tactical Fighter Training at 99 Air Combat Training Group (99 ACTG) Kainji from 1993 – 99. Thereafter, went for Instructor Pilot Course at 301 FTS Kaduna from 2004 – 2005.
Amao’s wealth of experience
The senior officer had served in following NAF Units: 99 ACTG Kainji as Trainee/Sqn Pilot from 1993 – 2004, 301 FTS Kaduna as Instructor Pilot/Sqn Pilot from 2004 – 2007, HQ NAF Abuja as Air Assistance to Chief of Air Staff from Sep 08 – May 10, Nigerian High Commission London as Deputy Defence Adviser from May 10 – Aug 12 and Ag Defence Adviser from Nov 11 – Feb 12, Defence Headquarter as Assistance Director of operation from Aug 2013 – Jan 14, 99 ACTG as Commander from 25 Jan 14 – 20 Jan 15, 75 Strike Group (75 STG) as Commander from 20 Jan 15 – 16 Feb 16, Air Component Commander of operation ZAMAN LAFIYA / LAFIYA DOLE (North East operation) from 13 Feb 15 – 16 Feb 16, doubled as Acting Deputy Theater Commander (Air Ops) for operation LAFIYA DOLE from 4 Jan 16 – 16 Feb 16, Director of Policy (DOPOL) at HQ NAF, Abuja from 16 Feb – May 27 and Director of Operations (DOO) at HQ NAF, Abuja from 27 May – 6 Sep 16, Director of Training (DOT) at HQ NAF, Abuja from 6 Sep 16 – 22 Dec 16 and Director of Operations (DOO) at HQ NAF from 22 Dec 16 – 29 Jan 18. He is presently the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (TAC).
He is a fighter pilot and has participated in various operations such as: Draw Down of AFISMA operation in Mali from Aug 2013 – Jan 14, operation ZAMAN LAFIYA from 20 Feb – 19 Jul 15 and operation LAFIYA DOLE (North East operations) from 19 Jul 15 – 16 Feb 16. His decorations include: Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), General Service Medal (GSM), River Benue Star (RBS), Passed Staff College (psc) and Fellow National Defence University (FNDU) China.
The senior officer has attended several military courses which include: Junior Division Course at Armed Forces Command Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji from Jun – Dec 1986, Senior Division Course at Defence Services Staff College India from 2002 – 2003, Defence Course at National Defence University China from 2012 – 2013, Aircraft Accident Investigation in Civil Airline at NCAT Zaria and Aircraft Accident Investigation Course at Karachi, Pakistan.
He has the following academic qualification: MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies from University of Madras, India, Master of Military Science and Strategy (MMSc) and Advance Diploma in Defence and Strategy Studies from NDU China, Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy from Kaduna Polytechnic, National Diploma in Freshwater and Fisheries Technology from FCFFT New Bussa and Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education.
AVM Amao is happily married to Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao and they are blessed with 3 lovely boys. His Hobbies include: reading, dancing, travelling, playing volley ball and golf as well as fish farming.
The Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has also noted that Amao’s appointment has come at a period when the country is facing security challenges, hence, much is expected from the new Air Staff Chief and his colleagues.
Just like many analytical citizens like me, Senator Basiru believes in the competence of AVM Amao by virtue of his military trainings all over the World, and prays God to see him and other newly appointed Service Chiefs through in the onerous task of restoring the Nation’s security.
“I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment. The appointment is well deserved and did not come to me as a surprise. Your track record as a seasoned officer with thorough military trainings spanning almost two decades eminently qualify you for this appointment.”
May even the odds forever be in his favour.
