The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced airlifting of COVID-19 medical relief materials donated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to member countries.
A statement by NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet on Wednesday, said the materials will be distributed to the 14-member nations of ECOWAS including Nigeria, in response to the spread of the second wave of COVID-19.
Speaking at the Flagging off of the airlift at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the leader of the ECOWAS delegation and Vice President of ECOWAS Commission, Her Excellency Finda Koroma, stated that the need for essential medical supplies became necessary to enable ECOWAS countries cope with increasing cases of infection as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase especially in West Africa.
She noted that the first ECOWAS support to member states of critically needed medical supplies was in August 2020 and the efforts went a long way in ameliorating the shortages experienced in some vital materials required to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Ms Koroma thanked the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, for the express approval given for the NAF C-130 aircraft to undertake the mission of distributing the items to ECOWAS countries in dire need.
Speaking, the CAS who was represented by the Director of Operations, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ayoola Jolasinmi, stated that the NAF considered the airlifting of the items a great privilege and worthy contribution to a noble cause, While assuring the ECOWAS Commission of NAF’s commitment towards the success of the operation.
