By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commissioned a newly constructed block of classrooms and staff offices at the permanent site of Edemaya Unity College in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, further strengthening its civil–military relations efforts.
The development was announced in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said the project was executed under the Chief of the Air Staff Special Intervention Project initiative as part of the Service’s non-kinetic operations nationwide.
According to the statement, the event also featured the conferment of the traditional title “Ufan Edemaya” — meaning Friend of the People of Edemaya — on the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in recognition of the NAF’s sustained developmental interventions in the community.
Representing the CAS at the ceremony, the Chief of Civil–Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the initiative as a deliberate effort to build trust and foster cooperation between the military and host communities. He noted that similar projects have been commissioned across the country to honour distinguished retired senior officers while contributing to grassroots development.
The newly inaugurated facility comprises three fully furnished classrooms, a principal’s office, and staff rooms. It was facilitated in honour of retired Air Vice Marshal Iboro Harry Etukudo, who expressed gratitude to the NAF and described the intervention as a testament to the Service’s appreciation of his 40-year career, which began in 1985.
Etukudo explained that the project marks the commencement of infrastructural development at the college’s permanent site, established to accommodate students unable to secure admission into government secondary schools due to limited capacity. He appealed to the state government to consider taking over and expanding the institution.
Representing Governor Umo Eno, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, commended the NAF for its commitment to educational development, while community leaders presented the CAS with a staff of honour as a symbol of appreciation and partnership.
