Jonathan Unveils Nigeria’s First Locally Made Drone In Kaduna

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (L), WINGING PIONEER PILOTS OF 'GULMA', NIGERIA'S FIRST  INDIGENOUS UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV), AT THE UNVEILING OF UAV IN KADUNA ON TUESDAY (NAN).
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (L), WINGING PIONEER PILOTS OF ‘GULMA’, NIGERIA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV), AT THE UNVEILING OF UAV IN KADUNA ON TUESDAY (NAN).

The much publicized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) also known as ‘drone’ designed and manufactured locally by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in conjunction with other local institutions was on Tuesday unveiled in Kaduna by a visibly excited President Goodluck Jonathan.

The drone appropriately named “GULMA” (Hausa language term for gossip), was unveiled at the Air Force Base, Mando in Kaduna by President Jonathan, who described the launch of the UAV as a “landmark moment” in Nigeria’s history.

He also supervised the winging of 11 locally trained UAV pilots at the occasion.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, I now unveil the Nigerian-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, also known as GULMA,” President Jonathan said at the occasion.

“Considering the potential impact of its benefit and versatility, I cannot but say, how proud I am of the men and women of our Armed Forces.

“Apart from their commitment to the protection of our sovereignty, they are helping to keep our nation ahead in military science and technology and to keep their civilian counterparts, on their toes,” the President said.

“In the year past, we have launched the first indigenous combat vessel, developed by our Navy, and various Armoured and operational vehicles developed by the Nigerian Army.

“To all of you, I say thank you. Your collective efforts have opened a new vista of innovation and opportunity for our nation,” he added.

In his speech, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh explained that the surveillance aircraft was named GULMA because of its function as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.

According to him, the idea began in 2005 with the acquisition of three Aerostar UAVs for the defunct Presidential Committee on Maritime Safety and Security, PICOMSS, which was frustrated “by numerous vendor-related problems that eventually led to the grounding of all the three systems in 2009.

“Following the dissolution of PICOMSS in 2012, the Federal Government handed over the UAVs to the NAF”.
He said NAF Optimising Local Engineering, NAF OLE, which handled the project, did it at the cost of $3 million, half of the $6 million quoted by foreign vendors and also trained 15 UAV pilots at less than half a million dollars compared to the $2 million quoted by foreign vendors to train only three pilots.

Information Nigeria reports that the launch was attended by all the service chiefs, Gov. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, Supervising Minister of Defence, Labaran Maku among other dignitaries drawn mostly from the Armed Forces.

It is widely believed that with the official unveiling of “GULMA”, the UAV can now be deployed to the troubled North East region to monitor the activities of militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has been coordinating and launching guerilla attacks from the rugged mountains and forests of Maiduguri, Borno State.

1 COMMENT

  1. Wisdom the bible says is profitable to direct. It is good to celebrate with all excitement, but better when done moderately and with wisdom. The decision we make today determines our tomorrow. The action or inaction of a man will either be regretted or appreciated. Some people who SAW while others were LOOKING sought for money to purchase some plots of land at the present Lekki Penninsula when a plot of land in that arear was been sold for as low as between N500,000 and N1m; are reaping the benefits now that its now been sold for as high as N130m. Some heard of it then and ignored it or never believed such an area could develop, bringing about drastic appreciation of properties in the area. Lekki Free Trade Zone, The New International Airport, The Deep Seaport (which will be the second in Africa after that in South Africa), The Lagos Industrial site, Eleganza Industrial site, The Permanent site of PAN Africa University and many more developmental projects are springing up in Epe, Ibeju Lekki and their axis. Blue Chip Companies are now acquiring hecters of land in that area. Just for the ones
    that have foresight and will take action while others are ignoring, PWAN HOMES LTD is now selling Estate Lands for as low as between N330,000 and N1.5m at Ajah, Ibeju Lekki and their environs. Promo is currently on for limited time. Some of these lands are with title such as C of O, Global C of O while some are awaiting title. Omo onile problem have been wiped off. For more information, site visitation and to pick up your own plots call Abayomi on 08179517872 or 08065415971. EVERY OTHER ASSETS DEPRECIATE, WHILE LAND APPRECIATE. INVEST WISELY TODAY TO APPRECIATE YOUR DECISION TOMORROW