The Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, AFARN is set to honour aviators who through their handwork and passion have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the industry.
Those to be honoured are Dr. Harold Demuren, former DG NCAA, Captain Rufus Orimoloyo, Captain Bob Hayes, both of the defunct Nigeria Airways, Captain Chinyere Kalu, former Rector NCAT, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, owner Sifax Ground Mrs Cecilia Akagbue, First female cabin crew and Captain Dele Ore, the doyen of aviation in Nigeria.
At the AFARN Summit/Awards for this year, scheduled for July 12, 2018 at Sheraton & Towers Hotel, Ikeja, they will be inducted into the AFARN Aviation Hall of Fame.
At a news conference in Lagos, AFARN President, Kingsley Nwokoma said these aviators have done so much for the sector “and we must not wait till they die to honour and show them we really appreciate their sacrifices for the industry, the time to do it is now”.
He said those also to be honoured are individuals that have demonstrated uncommon quality in their line of duties as they will all be given certificates of integrity and a token of appreciation by the association.
“We have a staff of Lakewood Development Company, Charity Bassey, who discovered and returned S6,000 forgotten in the toilet by a passenger and also a staff of Patolvilki, Miss Josephine Agwu, now a staff of FAAN who discovered and returned $28,000 at the airport”.
Nwokoma said this year’s conference with the Theme: “Promoting the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through Safety Consciousness in the Aviation industry” will be delivered by the Managing Director/CEO, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Engr Saleh Dunoma.
“The imports of this conference essentially is to acquit us with the development in AFARN and efforts the Association has made in the recent times in contributing to the growth and development the aviation industry”, he added.
Other activities lined for the AFARN event includes visit to two charitable orphanage homes, Mkar Orphanage home in Benue State and SOS Children village in Lagos as part of their corporate social responsibility and Schools visitation ostensibly to mentor school children to embrace career in aviation industry, as well as donations of weather shelters to the Nigeria Police airport command, waste-bin baskets to FAAN, for use in and around the tarmac.
“Our Membership as you all know is broad based comprising:- foreign airline representatives, Ad-hoc operators, passenger airlines, charterers, schedule and non-scheduled carriers etc. The survival and the growth of the industry is our major concern and that is why AFARN which is a major voice in the industry has remained steadfast in bringing professionals and stakeholders together every year to deliberate on issues necessary for the advancement of the sector”.
An executive member of AFRAN Mr. Phillip Wetheral, said the future of cargo and its contribution to the nation’s GDP is a topic that everyone should talk about.
“We are inviting everyone to this years conference to bring their inputs as well because thus is something that we all need to work together to make things better for our next generation. I have been in nigeria for the past 15 years and very passionate about developing and making sure that our business which is what I love actually have a massive influence on the way aviation sector and cargo is looked at in this country”
