In a significant move towards enhancing the welfare of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has given the green light for the implementation of a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy (GPAIP). This decision aligns seamlessly with the CAS Command Philosophy, placing a strong emphasis on maintaining a highly motivated force through welfare enhancements and infrastructural renewal.
According to Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, while existing insurance policies administered by the Ministry of Defence and NAF Investment Limited offer coverage to NAF personnel, they fall short in adequately addressing certain hazards and challenges inherent in their line of duty. Recognizing this gap, the imperative to review and implement a specialized insurance scheme became evident.
At a brief agreement signing ceremony with the approved insurance broker, KBC Insurance Brokers Limited, held at NAF Headquarters on January 2, 2024, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that the GPAIP is designed to incentivize NAF personnel, ensuring they give their utmost with the assurance of comprehensive care in the unfortunate event of disability, death, or accidents during military operations.
The implementation of the GPAIP underscores the CAS’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of NAF personnel, a crucial element in achieving his Command philosophy, as it plays a pivotal role in boosting morale and sustaining professionalism within the force. The CAS further highlighted the inherent risks personnel face during military operations, necessitating continuous policy reviews to cater to their well-being.
Under the contractual agreement with KBC Insurance Brokers Limited, the GPAIP aims to provide compensation for bodily injuries, death, disablement, and medical expenses directly caused by accidental, external, violent, and visible means. The scheme extends its coverage to families of personnel who tragically lose their lives during operations, offering salary reimbursement for injured personnel in the event of hospitalization.
A notable distinction between the GPAIP and the existing Group Life Assurance Policy (GLAP) administered by the Federal Ministry of Defence lies in its comprehensive nature. Unlike the GLAP, which primarily benefits the family of personnel in case of death and does not cover medical expenses resulting from accidents, the GPAIP offers a more inclusive coverage. It provides benefits to personnel and their families in the event of death, covering medical expenses and offering compensation for temporary or permanent disability and death, among other contingencies.
