…as King, Queen of the Air is crowned.
Nosa Aituamen
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, says, Nigeria’s aviation sector is being positioned as a key driver in the nation’s ambition to lead the African Continental Free Trade Area, AFCFTA, initiative.
The Minister who stated this in his address at the 14th Nigeria Aviation, NIGAV, awards and Ministerial Dinner in Lagos with h the “Foundation for Accelerated Aviation Growth”, said, the sector acts as a vital catalyst for national economic growth, regional integration, and global trade.
He stressed the crucial role of a united industry effort in achieving this goal, aligning it directly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
On assumption of office, Mr. Keyamo said, he created an agenda to make Nigerian air transport a preferred safe mode, and has been working to achieve this goal through a fact-based planning program.
He expressed his commitment to increasing stability, boosting travel confidence, and industry growth, with the aim of surpassing performance by the end of 2025.
Represented at the event by the Director General, Civil Aviation, captain Chris Najomo, the Minister pledged to strengthen regulation and oversight by giving the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) the best support the industry has ever seen.
He noted that the airport subsector is being repositioned to be more efficient and serve as a strong bedrock for industry stability.
“This aspiration will require collective effort and commitment, which I genuinely solicit from everyone in the industry to join hands to deliver a prosperous sector in line with the renewed hope agenda of Mr President Bola Ahmad Tinubu”.
Mr. Keyamo who won the “Aviation Personality” award 2024, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all agencies under his Ministry, which are recalibrating to the development trend for prudent management and service delivery.
The Director General, Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo who won two awards, Aviation Leadership Achievement(Strategic leadership category) and Aviation Lifetime Achievement Awards assured to enhance and promote safety oversight, customer protection amongst others.
Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku after receiving an award as the aviation CEO of the year, promised that, there is more to come in airport infrastructure upgrades and modernization.
“I want to thank you all and to say, there is more to come”.
Giving the NiGAV annual report and outlook for 2025, the co-chair of the event and former managing Director, FAAN, Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun noted that 2024 marked a turning point, restoring international confidence in Nigeria’s skies.
The government’s resolution of airline debt issues, he said, paved the way for stronger partnerships and progress into 2025.
“Although this initiative began with the Cape Town Convention (CTC) agreement, more capable airline operators will need to leverage the opportunities created by this administration”.
In his address of welcome, organizer of the event, Mr. Fortune Idu applauded the present Administration’s efforts at revolutionizing air travel leveraging technology.
He maintained that, the award is to foster industry harmony and encourage healthy competition for safer, more sustainable air service delivery.
“It’s purpose was to promote the development of the Nigeria’s aviation sector through joint industry advocacy, initiatives and stakeholders engagement focused on entrenching best practices”.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to winners and the crowning of the king and queen of the Air won by Henry Chika Amaefule of valuejet as King and Aisha Yakub of xejet as Queen.