The newly appointed Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Wapkerem Maigida has expressed his commitment to support the ongoing NAF media campaign aimed at garnering public support for the operation.
DOPRI said this on Friday when he took over from his predecessor, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet who is currently the Commandant of 551 NAF Station, Jos.
Air Cdre Maigida said that under his watch, the Directorate of Public Relations and Information will continue to move forward with the NAF media campaign mandate, using various media platforms to tell the success story of the force.
DOPRI noted that the projection of operational engagement and other activities of the NAF to galvanize public support and goodwill for the force is paramount.
He called on the media to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in its efforts to address the many security challenges facing the country.
“Remember that to overcome security challenges, there must be a sincere partnership between the NAF and the media,” he said.
He also called on the media to remain steadfast as they continue to carry out their dog functions to inform and enlighten the public, so that they can speed up the happenings in the defense and security sector, asking them to use reportage and the media to shape the public. perceptions and opinions about NAF.
He appreciated the past DOPRI for the achievements recorded during his tenure, adding that he would consolidate these achievements. He thanked the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao for his appointment as DOPRI.
Former DOPRI, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet thanked the media for their support during his tenure, urging them to extend the same support to the new NAF Spokesperson.
Air Cdre Wapkerem Maigida, a member of the 42 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA), was commissioned into the NAF in 1995.
The senior official holds a Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the NDA. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos.
Noted among the military courses Air Cdre Maigida attended include: National Defense Course at the National Defense College of Nigeria and Air Warfare Course at the Air Force War College in Makurdi, Benue State. He attended the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff School, Jaji, Kaduna and the Senior Staff Course at the Air Force Command in Beijing, China.
Senior officers also attended the International Public Affairs Officers course at the Swedish Armed Forces International Center in Sweden, the Civil Military Relations/Cooperation Course at the Indonesian National Defense Forces Peacekeeping Center, Indonesia and the Deputy Spokesman Course at the Joint Information Activities Group, Royal Air Force. Base, Halton, United Kingdom.
Before his new appointment, Air Cdre Maigida was the Commander of 551 NAF Station, Jos. Senior officers serve as acting director and Deputy Director of Defense Information at Defense Headquarters, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information and Deputy Director of Civil-Military Relations both at NAF HQ.
Air Cdre Maigida who is the 18th DOPRI, is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.