BACKGROUND

 

 

INTRODUCTION

1.​Air Vice Marshal Esen Paul Efanga was born on 14 April 1972. He hails from Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State. The snr offr attended Air Force Military School, Jos in 1984 and enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in August 1990 as a member of 42 Regular Course.He was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Forceas pilot offr on 16 September 1995 and was promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal in September 2022.

COURSES ATTENDED

2.​The snr offr has attended several Military professional and Academic Courses some of which include:

a.​ Officer’s Engineering Course and Basic Officer’s Armament Maintenance Course at AFIT.

 

b.​Type Rating Course on Do-228 aircraft series (Airframe and Engine) at 431 Engr Gp.

 

c.​ Type Rating Course on MiG 21 aircraft Missile Preparation at 633 CAD.

 

d.​ Type Rating Course on L-39ZA aircraft General Armament at 403 FTS.

 

e.​ Flying training at the International Aviation College, Ilorin where he obtained his multi-engine rating and commercial pilot licence.  

 

f.​Conversion Course on Beechcraft King Air-350 in US.

 

g.​Junior and Senior Staff Courses  atAFCSC Jaji.

 

h.​National Defence Course at NDC Nigeria.

 

The snr offr holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Nigerian Defence Academy and Post-Graduate Diplomas in Management Science, and Statistics from Kaduna Polytechnic and University of Abuja respectively. Additionally, he holds a Masters of Science degree in Defence and Security (Leadership and Management) from Cranfield University, UK.

APPOINTMENTS HELD

3.​AVM Efanga has held several appointments some of which include:

a.​Admin Officer “B” Sqn and SO2 Admin, 401 FTS

​b.​Depot Admin Officer, 633 CAD.

​c.​SO1 Production, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria

​d.​Directing Staff , AFCSC Jaji.

​e.​Ag DDOARM (Wps Mgt), HQ NAF (DOARM).

​f.​Group Training Offr, 307 EAG.

​g.​Deputy Director of Training (Air), HQ NAF.

h.​Director of Training, HQ NAF.

​i.​Comd 107 Air Maritime Group.

​j.​Air Component Comander JTF(NE) Op LAFIA DOLE.

​k.​Chief of Staff, HQ TAC.

​l.​Comdt Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre.

​m.​Director of Policy, HQ NAF

n.​Deputy Theatre Comd, JTF(NE) Op HADIN KAI.

EXPERIENCE/ ACHIEVEMENTS

4.​The snr offr is rated on Diamond 40, Diamond 42 and he is a captain on the Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft. He served as squadron pilot in the 307 Executive Airlift Group where he was assigned both VIP and ISR missions. He conducted several ISR flight missions in Op LAFIYA DOLE, Op  AWATSE and Op DELTA SAFE.

5.​His major achievements in his illustrious career has been in the areas of training and operations. In training, he has contributed in effectively coordinating the planning, monitoring and evaluation of training in the NAF. Specifically, as DOT he initiated the Pilot Plan Schedule which streamed and facilitated the training of student pilots who had been awaiting basic flying training for over 2 years. Through the plan, the NAF was able to clear the backlog of student pilots on the helicopter and transport track. In the area of operations, he has been directly involved in planning and directing air operations independently and jointly with surface forces that has effectively degraded the capacity of BHT/ISWAP terrorists in the NE. The series of successful attacks on terrorists’ hideouts has led to surrender of several BHT/ISWAP terrorists and resettlement of some hitherto displaced communities.

DECORATIONS/AWARDS

6.​AVM EP Efanga has the following decorations: Distinguished Service Star, Pass Staff Course (+), Fellow Defence Course, General Service Medal and Field Command Medal. He is also a Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

FAMILY/HOBBIES​

7.​The snr offr is married and blessed with children. His hobbies include nature watching and watching football.