It was a day of glowing tributes as friends, professional colleagues, labour unions and family members gathered to celebrate Mr. Victor Akpobaro Eyaru after 35 years of meritorious service in the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
Mr. Eyaru retired on the 31st of December, 2020 as the Airspace Manager, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. He was also the former president, Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA.
At his sent-forth ceremony at the NAMA Centrex in Lagos organized by his friends, Mr. Victor Eyaru was applauded for his struggle in ensuring NATCA members were given what was due to them which equally led to other professional unions benefiting from it.
Representatives of the different unions and professional bodies in NAMA and the industry who took turns to speak, all described Mr. Eyaru as a man of few words but with million actions.
They added that Mr. Eyaru was selfless in his service, stood for what he believed in and in ensuring workers welfare and in airspace safety.
Dr. Felicia Agubata, past President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN and Assistant General Manager Terrestrial Services recalled that when there was a system failure in MMIA some time ago and the matter was brought before Mr. Eyaru , he immediately gave his personal funds to ensure the problem was fixed to sustain safety before Management was informed for which he was commended and refunded.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu described Mr. Eyaru as a hard working controller, airspace manager and a man with the ability to lead people, adding that his hard work was contributory to the survival of the agency.
He wished him well and expressed joy that he was leaving in good health and pray God to continue to sustain and grant him good health.
“He is leaving, standing up straight and in a healthy form, may the Good Lord continue to grant you good health and continue to grant you the ability to lead people and lead them to a safe shore. And those of us who are left behind, am sure that Victor worked hard and he worked hard for the sustenance and survival of the agency”.
Captain Akinkuotu also used the occasion to implore all NAMA staff to work hard at ensuring that the mandate given them was carried out to the latter.
“So it is up to us to continue to do the good work in ensuring that that mandate we have been given by our countrymen, by our leaders to provide good surveillance, good communication, to provide good navigation, to provide a safe environment and a safe airspace for all air travellers including ourselves. May God continue to give us the ability, the wisdom and the knowledge to achieve that”.
He added, ” I use this opportunity to wish all of you well and I implore you that you do keep safe not only because of Covid but also that we monitor our health and ensure that we are fit, it is in our fitness and good health that we are able to deliver that mandate, that trust that has been given to us by our people”.
In his remarks of appreciation, Mr. Victor Eyaru thanked the Management of NAMA, Aviation unions and professional Associations in NAMA for their support in the successes he achieved during his 35 years in service.
He said though no journey on earth can be adjudged to be absolutely smooth but with courage, steadfastness and supports from people and with God’s given grace he was able to pull through.
“I particularly doff my hat for the former and present ATSSSAN Presidents and their executives members for always being there. NUATE, NAEE, NAAPE, ANAP, AIMAN, NACAN, LAAC, you are all part of my success story. God bless you all”.
” I use this period to mourn the death of about right air traffic controllers within the last one year. They include my good friends like brothers, Gabriel Akpen and Godwin Nawa, their memories will continue to linger on”.
Highlights of the event was the presentations of gifts to the celebrant by different Associations and unions to which Mr. Eyaru was a member.
