NIGERIAN AIRFORCE BASE, YOLA (ARCHITECTURE FOR DEFENCE)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Since the end of world war II (1939-45), brought to an end to a certain degree by the dropping of the 'atomic bomb1 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki both in Japan by the American Airforce, the role of the airforce in military warfare has taken on a new dimension, with the various world powers taking advantage of it's inherent potentialities to perpetuate an unprecedented advancement within the sphere of strategic arms acquisition. Often expressed in foreign policy initiatives characterised by a growing mistrust or the politico-ideological alliance between concerned parties, these arms have been developed to level of sophistication which makes aerial warfare as typified by airforce operations a decisive defence factor in the general quest for world peace. This vast web of intrigue and diplomatic manipulations Is among the remote causes of the political and economic turbulence wrecking the African continent and is often manifest in the civil wars, the disturbing situation of the apartheid regime in South Africa - often bordering on full scale armed conflicts and other cases of direct aggression. xxii Nigeria as the giant of Africa naturally feels strongly about these developments and often takes a clear stand on particular issues, a position which is acknowledged continentally e.g the Angolan Independence struggle. Her airforce however, belies the challenge of a country acting from a position of strength in matters of self protection from external air raids, territorial surveillance, etc with the attendant reassuring physical presence where necessary, like in neighbouring strife torn countries. This threatens Nigeria's revered leadership position to which other countries defer in matters of continental and global consequence. It is in cognaisance of these factors that the Federal Government of Nigeria has always felt the need to include defence among it's priorities for national development. This thesis aims at providing a suitable architectural solution to the problem in recognising the effectiveness of the airforce in the dispensation of security related functions for a sovereign country like Nigeria. It also takes into account the prevailing trends in aerial warfare and the technological requirements of base operations by employing the best results of research in construction which is an integral part of national development dating back to the period of post war reconstruction in other parts of the world. xxiii It is hoped that the airforce base would further strengthen Nigeria's position and re-affirm her leadership role within the scheme of things particularly in Africa while providing reassurance on the home front in handling all forms of military emergencies which breed political and economic turbulence leading to social insecurity and ultimately giving credence to the concept of defence for development.