Report from Hon. Danladi A. Abubakar
For Air Marshal Issac Mohammed Alfa (Rtd) has transversed in all facet of life and an household name in Nigeria and beyond.
Air Marshal Alfa was born on 15th September 1950 at Inye, Ankpa LGA, Kogi State. He started his early education at the Quality Iboe Mission Primary school, Inye from 1956-1959. He completed his primary school at the Qua Iboe Mission Primary School Ankpa Kogi State 1960-1961. Subsequently, he attended the Ochaja Secondary School Ochaja, Kogi State from 1962-1966.
He started his higher educational pursuit at the Kaduna Polytechnic Kaduna from 1967-1969.
Air Marshal Alfa started his military career after he attended full Military Education at the Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna from 1969-1970, where he was the best all round cadet in 1970. He was commissioned into the Nigeria Air Force in 1970.
A highly Successful Military Officer, Air Marshal Alfa was officer Commanding 75 Fighter Squardron in 1975. In 1978, he became Commanding Officer, Air Defence Wing Enugu. He later became Commander, Strike Group, Makurdi in 1984. In the same Makurdi, the highly respected Air Force Officer became the Commander NAF Station and later became the Commander NAF Station, Kainji from 1989-1990. He returned Makurdi in 1990 as Senior Air Staff Officer, (SASO) Tactical Air Command. He was appointed Director of Operations Nigeria Air Force in 1993.
In 1997, he was appointed Air Officer Commanding Training Command Kaduna during which period, he was also a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, the highest decision making body in Nigeria. He held the position until 1999 when Air Marshal Alfa was appointed, Chief of Air Staff by the Democratic Government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The success of Air Marshal Alfa in his chosen profession can be attributed to his strive at capacity building. This is evident in the training he acquired both in the Military circle and in the conventional institutions.
HIS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT INCLUDES:
1. Basic and Advance Flying training, United States Air Force 1971-1973.
2. Junior Command and Staff Course HIENLOW, UK (1974)
3. Senior Command and Staff Course Montgomery Alabama, US A 1981-1982.
4. Mig. 21 Fighter Aircraft Conversion USSR (1974-1975).
5. Jaguar Fighter Aircraft Convention, UK 1983-1984.
6. Naval Postgraduates College, Monterey California, USA 1987.
7. National Defence College, India (1991).
Air Marshal Alfa also obtained various educational qualifications outside the military circle, which include Advance Diploma (OPS Research) University of Lagos 1996; B.Sc Bussines Administration, University of Lagos 1997. He also obtained an M.Sc Defence Studies of the Allahabab University India, 1991 after attending the National Defence College. It is Worthy of note, that Air Marshal Alfa also attended the Cranfield Institute of Technology in 1978, from where he graduated as Flight Safety Officer and an Aircraft Investigator. All these he obtained along side his career pursuits.
AIR MARSHAL ALFA HAS FLOWN VARIOUS TYPES OF AIRCRAFT DURING THE PERIOD HE SERVED IN THE NIGERIA AIR FORCE. THESE INCLUDE:
. Piaggio 1490 Trainer Aircraft
. T -41 Cessna Aircraft
. Mig -15 Trainer Aircraft
. Mig -17 Fighter Aircraft I
. Mig -21 Fighter Aircraft
. DolphinL-29 Jet Trainer Aircraft
. Alpha Jet Fighter trainer
. American T -33/AT -33 Fighter Aircraft
. American T -37 Basic Trainer and T -38 Advanced Jet Fighter Aircraft.
. Jaguar Fighter and Grand Attack Aircraft.
He evaluated the French Mirage 2000 Fighter Aircraft For Nigeria Air Force. He also had a three- hour hand on demonstration flight on the much-revered Royal Air Force Harrier jump Jet.
Air Marshal Alfa during his career won various awards and laurels both at National and International levels and these include:
Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) 2001.
Distinguished Service Star (DSS) 1997.
Meritorious Service Star (MSS) 1996.
Best all round cadet at NDA in 1970.
He is also a member of Nigeria Institute of Operation Research (MNIOR) 1996, and a Fellow of National Defence College (ndc) India, 1991.
In recognition of his contribution to the Nation, the US Air Force Department, on May 31st 2005, admitted Air Marshal Alfa to the prestigious Air University International Honour Roll. He was the only African to receive the Honour in the 2005 Edition.
Upon retirement after a meritorious service in the Nigeria Air Force, Air Marshal Alfa ventured into politics to render genuine services to his people. He contested for the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP in Kogi State in the year 2002 with political structures across the 21 LGAs in the state.
Alfa didn’t stopped there, in his quest to represent his people, he contested for the coveted senate seat under the same platform and won to represent the good people of Kogi East Senatorial District.
Today, aside been a General, he’s equally a Distinguished Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is currently combining Politics with private bussiness. A traditional Chief, he holds the traditional title of OMACHI ATTA IGALA. Happy Birthday the General…
