Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has called for the establishment of an Airforce Operational Base in the state.
He said with its second runway and large hectares of land, the state could afford to host the base.
According to him, all that the Airforce authorities would need to do would be to deploy a detachment of men and officers to manage the operational base to further boost the security architecture of the state.
Emmanuel made the request while declaring the Nigerian Air Force 3rd Inter Combat Sports Competition held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, closed.
The governor, at the occasion, congratulated the Nigerian Air Force for organising the competition.
He particularly lauded the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the pragmatic approach to ensuring the physical well being and mental alertness of officers and men of the force.
The governor acknowledged the collaboration of the Nigerian Army and the sister agencies in the security of the state, maintaining that such collaboration had made the state a safe haven for the people.
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He also said investors had turned out in their numbers to explore business opportunities in the state as a result of the security enjoyed in the state.
He acknowledged President Mohammadu Buhari’s efforts at developing the state, saying that much still needed to be done to ensure federal presence in the state.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in the execution of their core mandate, the governor expressed appreciation to the Air Force boss, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the choice of Akwa Ibom State for the hosting of the third edition of the Combat Sports Competition.
He donated N2 million to the overall winner in the competition.
Cultural display, tug of war competition and inter agency relay spiced the finals of the competition which was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Director General Divine Mandate Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, and other dignitaries.
