L-R: Ag. MD NAMA, Mr. Mathew Pwajok, Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, DG NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu and the MD FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu at the NIGAV Awards in Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has called on airline operators and other key stakeholders in the aviation industry to contribute to the ongoing review of the civil aviation regulation for a safe, secured and profitable aviation sector.
The minister made the call at the NIGAV 2022 Aviation Awards in Lagos to celebrate stakeholders who have made the aviation year 2022 a success.
The NIGAV Award 2022, the 12th in the series has the theme: “Coming of A New Era”.
The Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika reiterated the importance of the civil aviation regulations to the overall progress of the industry, stressed that stakeholders input would ensure full compliance and implementation.
While assuring the commencement of the airport city project called the aerotropolis in Lagos and Abuja airports, Senator Sirika, emphasized that, within the life time of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, it will achieve the national carrier, Aircraft leasing company and Maintenance Repair Overhaul Facility, MRO projects.
The Minister said, these projects would come on stream because due diligence had been done and stakeholders buy-in sought, coupled with the Federal Government one hundred percent commitment.
“Concession programme is ongoing, certainly it will be achieved within our life time as a government and also the national carrier and the leasing company, all these fully funded, we will award the contract in this three months that is remaining”.
In a keynote address, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, represented by Mrs. Folake Joshua said, the aviation sector is at the centre stage of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration because it holds the power to accelerate development and rapid economic growth of the country.
“Aviation will continue to play a major role in facilitating economic activities and bridging connectivity gap as a social infrastructure and as a facilitator of global trade, it is therefore, important that the coming of a new era will continue in a sustainable manner to optimize the gains of the present administration”.
Speaking on the NIGAV awards, the Committee Chairman and host, Mr Fortune Idu, stated that, though, year 2022 was challenging for the globally industry due to service disruptions and forex issues, the country’s aviation sector recorded remarkable growth.
He explained that it was necessary for the sector to celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations that made the year 2022 fruitful with their performances.
“We are thankful for yet another successful aviation year and once again to celebrate all those who have made the aviation year 2022 a successful and impactful one”.
Highlights of the event with the theme “Coming of A New Era”, was the presentation of award to the Minister of Aviation as the Aviation Man of the Year, 2022 for his immense contributions to the development of the sector.
The DG, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, MD FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, Ag. MD NAMA, Mr. Mathew Pwajok, DG, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu and the DG, NSIB, Mr. Akin Olateru also won awards for their immense contributions to the safety and development of the sector in the past eight years.
Airlines, ancillary service providers and individuals related to the Industry also bagged different awards at the event.
Others are charity donation to SOS Children’s Village, crowning of the King and Queen of the Air contest as well as proposal to name the NIGAV centre location as ‘Senator Hadi Sirika Street’.
