Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar Receives Prestigious Colin Powell Meritorious Award in Soldiering
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar has been nominated for the prestigious Colin Powell Meritorious Award in Soldiering at the OurNigeria News Awards 2024, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and transformative impact on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
This esteemed award attests to Air Marshal Abubakar’s outstanding achievements in leading the NAF to unprecedented operational successes, fostering synergy among security agencies, and enhancing the welfare of officers and men. Under his leadership, the NAF has received widespread acclaim for its crucial role in combating oil theft in the Niger-Delta, decimating insurgency in various theatres of operation, and driving infrastructural development.
The latest feat in a string of successes is the impressive reactivation of grounded Dornier aircraft by a team of NAF engineers. This achievement underscores the NAF’s commitment to innovation and excellence under Air Marshal Abubakar’s visionary leadership.
According to Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Sir Dr. AK Peters, Air Marshal Abubakar has fulfilled all the criteria for this noble award, demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and dedication to public service.
The Colin Powell Meritorious Award is named after the renowned American statesman and soldier, Gen. Colin Powell, the Gulf War veteran who later became Defence Secretary (Minister of Defense) of the United States of America. General Colin Powell, embodied the values of leadership, integrity, and selfless service. Air Marshal Abubakar’s achievement Peters said, is a result of his own exemplary character and commitment to the values of the Nigerian Sir Force.
The award will be presented to Air Marshal Abubakar on January 30, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, under the distinguished Chairmanship of Elder Statesman Alhaji Umaru Abdulmutallab. Other notable awardees include the President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA ), Mrs. Oghogho Musa, Gen Mike Mukokomani of Botswana, Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, and Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi while, Alh. Aliko Dangote GCON will be honored as the Man of the Year.
The presentation of the award will be made by former Nigeria’s Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, adding to the prestige and significance of this momentous occasion.
The Our Nigeria News Award is an annual recognition of topnotch trailblazers and uncommon national patriots of quintessential dimensions who have distinguished themselves in their spheres of endeavour and promoted the Nigerian brand and should be emulated.
With the theme, “Nigeria Rising: Celebrating Excellence and Charting the Future’, the 2024 award is designed to promote and project rare germs whose undiluted patriotism has transformed the landscape of our fatherland. Air Marshal Abubakar has transformed the Nigerian Air Force like never before, making it the terror of the terrorist and nightmare of the insurgent.