S ince the new dispensation in the country, not much has been heard of Enugu state aside from the couple of protestations against some declared winners in the last general election in the state. Also unlike some states in the federation, Enugu has been relatively peace just like its chief executive is not know to be a chatterbox in the political arena. That is really not to insinuate that no socio-political activities had not been going on in the former capital of old Anambra state. Far from it. Not too long ago, a new development came to the state and this time, it was courtesy of Air Marshal Paul Dike, Chief of Nigerian Air Force.

At a time when the Nigerian state is seeking and making frantic effort in that direction, to re-professionalise its armed forces, there have been a flurry of activities and healthy competitions among the three services comprising the Nigerian Armed Forces to outdo one another in ensuring better welfare packages for their teeming officers and personnel. Already efforts are afoot to make Nigerian military personnel better their peers anywhere in the world, or something close to that. Minister of Defence Alhaji Mahmud Yahyale Ahmed had repeatedly made this pronouncement in all fora that he found himself as head of Nigeria's defence ministry. On their own, the service chiefs are also moving fast, partnering with the private sectors, in many cases, to complement federal government eforts in this regard. The latest inovation in that light was one initiated by Marshal Paul Dike recently in Enugu state under the watchful eyes of Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Fidelia Akuabata Njeze and Governor Sullivan Chime.

Events of the last one year in the Nigerian Air Force have shown that Marshal Dike is making bold his promises to officers and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force upon his appointment by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and the trust shown in his leadership by President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua. it would be recalled that the Issele-Uku, Delta state born pilot had told all who cared to listen that his administration would pursue aggressive welfare schemes for the officers and personnel of the service.

At a well attended foundation laying ceremony in Enugu recently, the fair-skinned Air Chief unveiled his latest dream for the airmen and officers of the Nigerian Air Force, especially those who found themselves serving in the eastern part of the country. The event was the foundation-laying ceremony of a clubhouse for the Air Force in the state. All work and no play, they say, make Jack (or anybody for that matter) a dull boy. The truism in this saying has always been evident in the fatigue often shown by Nigerian military over the years, especially during the ignoble era of the men in Khaki in Nigerian politics.

The magnificent edifice, on which work had already commenced, is expected to be commissioned within "shortest possible time," using the words of Marshal Dike. Addressing the packed arena on the vision behind the idea of the clubhouse, the Air Chief said that he strongly believe that the best of officers and personnel in the military can only be derived when they are in better frame of mind. His words, "it is a fact that the Nigerian military officers and our personnel deserve good welfare package. We in the Air Force is making welfare a key focus in our administration and this structure which foundation laying ceremony was just done, is one way of telling our people that we share with them the need to enjoy the fruits of their labour whether while in service or after." This may have assured the air force family that under Dike, the best is yet to come. In his address to the gathering at the ceremony, the Air Chief said that with the renewed support shown by the Federal Government and the National Assembly on the military, they (military) in turn would ensure that they keep their constitutional vow of maintaining peaceful territorial integrity for the country.

Mrs Akuabate Njeze in her capacity as Defence minister in charge of the Air Force used the opportunity accorded her to shower encomiums on Marshal Dike, who she said has turn around the dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian Air Force before his coming on board. Njeze also assured the Air Force that the Yar’ Adua administration would continue to support whatever drive brought before it, in so far as the programmes are aimed to better the lot of the military. On the clubhouse that she was invited to lay its foundations, Njeze said the idea could not have come at a better time than now when the Nigerian military is busy engaging in a number of international duties across the globe especially in Africa and when they need to come home and relax themselves after strenuous engagements outside the country. “The idea of a clubhouse for the Air Force that we are starting today is indeed a brilliant idea and we commend the effort of marshal Dike to improve the welfare of his people.” The fair-skinned minister said of the clubhouse and the man behind it. Soft-spoken Governor Sullivan Chime said not less of marshal Dike and the Nigerian Air Force when it was his turn to talk. Commending the Air Chief for considering Enugu as the location for the project, governor Chime said the building, when completed, would add more to the development plans of his administration in the state. Just like Oliver Twist, Chime asked for more developmental programmes in Enugu state, promising to be ready to partner with the Air Force (and any other government agency or parastatal) who may wish to come to the young state for development. Chime also used that occasion to encourage the Nigerian military to do more to ensure the sustenance of the nascent democratic dispensation in the country.

Shortly after the ceremony, Marshal Dike led Mrs Njeze, Governor Chime and other senior officers as well as other invited guests to lay the foundation of the building. Known for keeping his words, Marshal Dike has promised the completion of the project ‘before long.’ Many actually know the Air Chief for keeping to his words. When he set out in late 2006 to build a town hall for his people at Issele-Uku in Delta state, with military swiftness, he had the structure completed in six months. In the same vein, he has given his words to ensure completion of the gigantic structure sooner than expected. Not les is actually expected from him.

It is pretty clear that if given the necessary support, the Nigerian military would perform far beyond expectation, but they can only do this when back home, they are sure of enough government patronage in terms of increase wages and prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments. This Marshal Dike has proven himself capable of delivering to the interest of the Commander-in-Chief. The Enugu Air Force clubhouse may well be another prove of this resolve.