By Our Reporter
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Thursday launched the Chief of the Air Staff Youth Empowerment Programme (CASYEP), an initiative designed to equip young people in Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base communities with life skills, mentorship, vocational training and pathways to self-reliance.
The programme received the endorsement of the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, who described it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and one that aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment and human capital development.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mr Anthony Chukwuka, the minister commended the NAF for complementing government efforts through skills acquisition, educational support, leadership development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity with discipline and dedication, while assuring the Air Force of the ministry’s readiness to partner in expanding similar youth development initiatives across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aneke described CASYEP as more than an empowerment programme, saying it represented “the ignition of hope, the unlocking of latent potential and a renewed commitment to the welfare of Nigerian Air Force personnel and the future of their children and families.”
The CAS said the initiative was inspired by his personal experience of growing up in a Nigerian Air Force barracks as the son of an Air Warrant Officer, where he witnessed the resilience of military families despite limited opportunities available to many talented young people.
According to him, the programme was established to bridge those gaps through structured skills acquisition, mentorship, educational support and career guidance, enabling beneficiaries to become skilled, confident, self-reliant and purpose-driven citizens.
He noted that the initiative also supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting youth empowerment and human capital development, while calling on parents, guardians and military commanders to support its implementation for long-term success.
Aneke said investing in the next generation of military families would strengthen family resilience, inspire future leaders and contribute to national development, adding that caring for personnel and their families remained central to building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready Air Force.
Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, AVM Edward Gabkwet, welcomed participants and described the initiative as another demonstration of the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to the welfare and development of military families.
Also, the Chief of Administration, AVM Anthony Martins, presented an overview of CASYEP, outlining its objectives, implementation framework and the expected impact on beneficiaries within NAF communities.
Highlights of the event included the screening of a documentary on CASYEP, a maiden side chat featuring experts on youth development, the formal presentation and recognition of beneficiaries, and the official inauguration of the programme by the Chief of the Air Staff.
