Abuja: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is harnessing the power of music as a strategic soft tool to foster civil-military cooperation, using cultural engagement to build trust, promote unity, and strengthen its relationship with civilian communities across the country.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stated this on Thursday while declaring open the 2025 NAF Music Personnel Workshop, organised by the Directorate of Music in Abuja.
The workshop, with the theme “Music as a Tool for Winning Hearts and Minds for Enhanced Civil-Military Cooperation in Support of Nigerian Air Force Operations,” brought together band commanders and music specialists from NAF formations nationwide.
Aneke said that the theme was timely, describing music as a vital instrument in shaping perceptions, boosting morale and building bridges between the military and civilians.
Represented by Air Commodore Christopher Akpa, the Director, Enabling Operations, at the Civil-Military Relations Branch, NAF Headquarters, Aneke said that “the role of military bands has gone beyond ceremonial functions.
“In today’s operational environment, winning the hearts and minds of people is as essential as winning the battle itself.
NAF is complementing its kinetic operations with strategic non-kinetic approaches, including community outreach and cultural engagements through music.
“As we expand our operations and interact deeply with communities, music becomes a tool of influence, unity and national pride.”
He, therefore, urged participants to use the workshop to refine their professionalism and ensure that their performances reflect excellence, discipline, and purpose.
He pledged sustained investment in training, equipment and welfare for music personnel as part of the service’s human capacity development agenda.
Earlier, the Director of Music, Group Capt. Ayodeji Ayanbode stated that the workshop was the fourth in a series since the Directorate of Music was established in 2019.
Ayanbode said that the programme was designed to enhance the competence of music personnel and highlight the role of music in building morale, fostering harmony, and advancing the NAF’s soft power engagements.
He added that “beyond ceremonies, music is a bridge between the military and the people, promoting mutual respect and understanding.”
The workshop features technical sessions on music administration, performance standards, and public communication to enhance operational effectiveness.
A paper on the theme was presented by Prof. Onyee Nwankpa, a professor of music at the University of Port Harcourt, and Air Commodore Akpa Akpan, as well as featuring panel discussions.
