Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pledged continued collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen security across the state, particularly in the fight against oil theft and other criminal activities.
Governor Fubara made the pledge while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, during his first official visit to Rivers State.
The governor said the state government’s support for the Air Force, including the donation of an aircraft in 2025, was a deliberate decision taken at the State Executive Council meeting to enhance security operations.
According to him, the aircraft was donated because the state government was not making use of it, adding that it was better deployed to assist security agencies in tackling crime and oil theft.
Fubara explained that the upgrading of the Nigerian Air Force base in Port Harcourt would improve operational efficiency, as it would enable the Air Force to conduct air operations discreetly rather than relying on the international airport, where their strategies could be exposed.
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Today, I received the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Our discussion centred on strengthening the partnership between the @NigeriaAirforce and Rivers State to improve on the security and stability of our dear state and… pic.twitter.com/czM1z5bTkF
The governor noted that improved security would ultimately boost the state’s revenue.
He stressed that the protection of lives and property remains one of the core responsibilities of his government.
Governor Fubara also restated the state government’s commitment to support the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) in building a school for children with special needs.
Responding to requests for the transfer of a public primary school located within the Air Force base in Port Harcourt, as well as the Mother and Child Hospital in the area, to the Air Force, the governor said the state government would make the necessary enquiries before making a decision.
The Rivers leader commended Air Force personnel for their service to the nation, noting that attaining high ranks in the military is a rare privilege achieved by only a few individuals.
The governor observed that the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Air Force have maintained a strong partnership over the years, dating back to the administrations of previous governors.
In his remarks, Aneke described Rivers State as strategically important to Nigeria due to its oil resources and the presence of key federal government facilities.
He assured that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to serve the interests of the state and the country.
Air Marshal Aneke commended the Rivers State Government for its numerous interventions in support of the Air Force, including the donation of an aircraft, provision of residential accommodation, and the resurfacing of the runway at the Nigerian Air Force base in Port Harcourt, which he described as meeting world-class standards.
He also acknowledged the governor’s promise to support the construction of a school for children with special needs, an initiative championed by the president of NAFOWA, who is his wife.
But he requested the transfer of the state primary school located within the air force base to the Nigerian Air Force.
Air Marshal Aneke also sought the transfer of the Mother and Child Healthcare facility near the base, noting that the Air Force could maximise its use to improve access to healthcare.
In addition, he called for collaboration with the state government in the area of security surveillance, suggesting that Rivers State could procure unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to be operated by trained Air Force personnel.
According to him, drones and other air platforms have significantly changed modern warfare, stressing that effective security operations now depend more on technology and strategy than on the number of personnel.
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