By John Hassan, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday, 18 October 2025, held its annual 10km Walk/Jog Exercise across all its formations nationwide, reaffirming its commitment to the physical fitness, well-being, and unity of personnel.
The event, which featured NAF officers, airmen, their families, and participants from sister security agencies, was conducted simultaneously in all NAF units. In Abuja, the Chairman of the National Sports Council, Malam Shehu Diko, attended as Special Guest of Honour.
Malam Diko commended the participants for their discipline and enthusiasm, describing the exercise as a reflection of the NAF’s enduring spirit of excellence and national service. He also lauded the Service for promoting sports and fitness as essential components of operational readiness.
In his address, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said the exercise was not just about competition or medals but about promoting unity, teamwork, and wellness among personnel.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit,” he quoted philosopher Aristotle as saying, emphasizing that regular engagement in sports and fitness embodies the culture of excellence that defines the Nigerian Air Force.
Air Marshal Abubakar reaffirmed that physical fitness remains a core aspect of military life and a key criterion for career progression. He urged personnel to see fitness not merely as a requirement for promotion, but as a personal responsibility and a foundation for mental clarity, resilience, and operational efficiency.
The CAS also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve sports development across NAF formations, including the implementation of resolutions from the maiden Directorate of Sports and Physical Education Workshop. These efforts, he said, include upgrading sports facilities, establishing a Sports Control Board to coordinate athletic activities, and conducting an inspection tour of sports infrastructure across the country.
Commanders, he added, have been directed to encourage participation in local sporting events as part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and project the NAF’s positive image.
Air Marshal Abubakar also praised the successful conduct of the 2025 Base Youth Sports Competition, describing it as an initiative to engage youths productively and discourage social vices. He congratulated the NAF Handball Team for earning promotion to the Premier League after winning the Nigeria Division One League, and the NAF Football Team for emerging champions at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Football Tournament in Abuja.
He disclosed plans for welfare incentives to reward outstanding athletes and urged personnel to intensify training ahead of the revival of the NAF Inter-Command Sports Competition, which returns after a nine-year break.
Both Malam Diko and Air Marshal Abubakar expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support to the Nigerian Air Force and to sports development in Nigeria.
The event concluded with the presentation of gifts to outstanding participants, reinforcing the NAF’s resolve to maintain a fit, united, and operationally ready force capable of meeting national security challenges.
 on Saturday, 18 October 2025, held its annual 10km Walk/Jog Exercise across all its formations nationwide, reaffirming its commitment to the physical fitness, well-being, and unity of personnel.){kind=link}