By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke has paid an emotional visit to his childhood home at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos, inspiring officers’ families and young residents with a powerful message of hope, discipline and perseverance.
The visit formed part of the Air Chief’s official inspection programme but took on deeper significance as he toured the residential quarters where he spent over a decade growing up. The moment drew excitement from residents, particularly children and mothers, who gathered to welcome the Air Force chief as he walked through familiar surroundings that shaped his early life.
Air Marshal Aneke’s return served as a compelling testament to the Nigerian Air Force’s tradition of nurturing talent from within, demonstrating that individuals raised in modest circumstances within the NAF community can rise to the highest levels of leadership through dedication, hard work and commitment to service.
During the visit, the CAS inspected the flat units where he lived with his late father, who served in the Nigerian Air Force and retired honourably as an Air Warrant Officer. He warmly interacted with residents, sharing personal reflections on his childhood and recalling the values of discipline, service and perseverance instilled in him from an early age. The visit echoed a similar stop at his childhood residence in NAF Base Kaduna last year.
The highlight of the visit came as young residents surrounded the Air Chief, chanting words of admiration and expressing their desire to emulate his achievements. In response, Air Marshal Aneke urged them to remain focused, disciplined and steadfast in pursuing their aspirations, assuring them that their current environment could serve as a strong foundation for an extraordinary future.
In a people-centred policy gesture, the CAS approved a concession for Air Women of the rank of Warrant Officer and above, granting them greater flexibility in residential accommodation choices to promote family unity and welfare.
He also inspected newly constructed housing units and the base hospital complex, reaffirming the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to improved infrastructure and personnel welfare.
The visit further featured a quiet but touching moment when the CAS stopped to check on a childhood friend now confined to a wheelchair following a stroke, underscoring the enduring bonds within the NAF community.
Beyond its ceremonial significance, the visit stood as a powerful reminder that effective leadership is deeply rooted in empathy, shared history and the ability to inspire future generations through lived example.
