Bayelsa Feels Like Home - Air Chief Aneke On Visit To Gov Diri

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Wednesday described Bayelsa State as “home” as he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at Government House, Yenagoa.

Air Marshal Aneke, who previously served as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mobility Command in Yenagoa, said his return to the state in his new capacity was both official and deeply personal. He was appointed Chief of the Air Staff in 2025 by President Bola Tinubu.

Leading top Air Force officers on the visit, Aneke likened his return to that of a son coming back home after achieving laurels.

“As a son of Bayelsa, I am in the state to pay homage where I got promoted to Chief of the Air Staff,” he said.

The CAS noted that Bayelsa holds a special place in his heart, recalling the hospitality, resilience and patriotism he experienced during his earlier posting in the state.

“This state has been privileged to produce service chiefs. In the Air Force, three or four former AOCs who served here were later promoted to the top position,” he stated.

“Bayelsa is not only a strategic location of national importance, but also has a special meaning for me. Having served here as the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command and returning now as Chief of the Air Staff, this truly feels like a homecoming.

“During my earlier service, I witnessed firsthand the resilience, hospitality and patriotism of the good people of this state. So, this visit is not just official, but a reunion with a community and family I hold in very high esteem.”

Aneke explained that his visit formed part of his ongoing operational tour of NAF units and operational theatres across the country. According to him, the tour is aimed at assessing operational readiness, evaluating ongoing security efforts, strengthening civil-military relations, and ensuring the safety of lives and critical national assets.

He also disclosed that he was in Bayelsa for the inauguration and formal handover of a training facility built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the Nigerian Air Force.

The Air Chief expressed appreciation to Governor Diri for the support and cooperation extended to the Air Force by his administration.

In his response, Governor Douye Diri commended Aneke for serving the state with integrity during his tenure as AOC, noting that he worked in synergy with the state government and its people.

The governor described Bayelsa as a “fertile ground for promotion,” especially within the military, observing that senior officers who served diligently in the state often rose to higher responsibilities.

“You served and worked in partnership with the government and the good people of Bayelsa State. We have no doubt that you are indeed our own and an ambassador of Bayelsa State,” Diri said.

“Biologically, you may be from another state, but we see you as a gentleman from Bayelsa. Others coming here should know that this is a fertile ground for promotion in the military.”

Governor Diri further stated that since assuming office, his administration has maintained cordial relationships with all military formations in the state, including the Air Force. He acknowledged the contributions of successive Mobility Commanders and other service chiefs to peace and security in Bayelsa and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to sustained support for all military commands operating in the state.