The United States (US) Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has presented the Letters of Offer and Acceptance in respect of the A29 Super Tucano Aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The Letter of Acceptance represents the official US Government offer to sell US defense articles and services to the Nigerian Government.

 Speaking while presenting the letter to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at NAF Headquarters in Abuja, the US Ambassador noted that peaceful existence in Nigeria was strategic to the security of the entire West African Sub-Region in particular and the entire world at large.

Ambassador Symington, however, expressed the commitment of US Government to help Nigeria defeat the Boko Haram Terrorists and also eliminate all forms of terrorism from its territory.

He conveyed US Government’s belief that the capacity of the Nigerian Airforce could greatly be enhanced by the acquisition of the Super Tucano Aircraft.

The US envoy said his Government would continue to support the Nigerian AirForce in its capacity-building efforts, including timely supply of needed aircraft spares.

Symington also indicated the readiness of relevant US Government officials to work with NAF officials to facilitate the early delivery of the aircraft once payment is made.

He said officials of both the US Government and NAF would be meeting in early January 2018 to jointly study the Letter of Acceptance prior to subsequent endorsements by both parties. 

Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff, air marshall Sadique Abubakar while receiving the Letter of Acceptance, expressed the appreciation to the US Government for its steady support towards sustaining NAF air operations.

He also praised the personal commitment of the US Ambassador to ensuring that the Super Tucano Aircraft deal became a reality.

 He reassured the US Ambassador of the commitment of the NAF to the stipulated deadlines in the Letter of Acceptance.  

Recalled that the US State Department had earlier approved the sale of 12 x A29 Super Tucano Aircraft to the NAF to further aid the nation’s counterinsurgency campaign. 

Report by Nnabuchi Nnabuchi