A new Director Search and Rescue Air Commodore Kennedy R Mataluwo has taken over from his predecessor Air Commodore Edward Kolawole Adedokun who has ended his tour of duty at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and also proceeded on voluntary retirement from the Nigerian Air Force.
In a brief ceremony today at NEMA headquarters, the former DSAR Air Cdre Adedokun handed over to the new DSAR and thereafter led him to the office of the Director General where he was formally introduced to the DG Mustapha Habib Ahmed.
The handing over and take over was done in the presence of staff of the Department of Search and Rescue. Present were Deputy Directors Ishaya Isa Chonoko, Bashir Idris Garga, Head of the Mission Control Centre Navy Capt VM Delia, Assistant Directors Midala Anuhu, Lydia Madu Wagami and other staff.
The new DSAR Air Commodore Kennedy Mataluwo was recently seconded to NEMA by the Nigerian Air Force to head the Department of Search and Rescue, which has been the practice over the years. The Nigerian Military is one of the key partners of NEMA, as the Agency have staff that are officers seconded from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air force.
Staff of the Search and Rescue Department later held a send-off programme for the former DSAR, which was attended by some Directors that included the Director Relief and Rehabilitation Alhaji Alhassan Nuhu, Director Special Duties Dr Onimode Bandele Abdullahi, Director Finance and Accounts Alhaji Sani Ahmed Jiba, Director Planning Research and Forecasting Hajiya Fatima Suleiman Kasim and Legal Adviser Barrister Lawal Hassan among other staff members.
At the send off, some of the Directors and staff eulogized the former for his outstanding character and contribution to the progress of NEMA and disaster management in Nigeria.
Responding, Air Commodore Adedokun thanked God for grace and appreciated the Nigerian Air Force and NEMA for giving him the opportunities to serve. He appealed to staff to also extend the cooperation and understanding accorded him to his successor.
5th July, 2023.
