The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is in advanced talks with the United States government and Bell Textron for the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to bolster its combat capabilities.
A high-level delegation led by Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, recently concluded a Program Management Review Meeting in San Diego, California, from June 9 to 13. The meeting included key officials from the US government and representatives from Bell Textron, the manufacturer of the helicopters.
Air Marshal Abubakar expressed gratitude to the US for its continued partnership, stating that the AH-1Z Vipers would significantly enhance NAF’s operational effectiveness and mission readiness. “We are committed to expediting the procurement and seamless integration of these platforms,” he said.
Following the meeting, the Nigerian delegation visited Camp Pendleton, California, where they inspected AH-1Z helicopters operated by the US Marine Corps’ HMLA-367 and MALS-39 squadrons. The visit provided insights into best practices for operating, maintaining, and sustaining the advanced attack helicopters.
The Air Chief reaffirmed NAF’s dedication to deploying the helicopters responsibly in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, ensuring compliance with international rules of engagement. “Our priority is restoring peace and safeguarding lives and property across Nigeria,” he added.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
