The Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru, has been described as an exceptional leader for his achievements in the Bureau since assumption of office.
He has also been lauded for his immerse contribution to safety in the aviation industry through the Bureau’s safety recommendations after the successful investigation of many air accidents and release of final reports.
At an event in Abuja this week, the AIB commissioner was honoured with the award of the ‘Exceptional Leadership Award in Aviation Accident Investigation and Prevention.’
The award was given to Olaeru by the Transportation and Tourism Industries Combined Summit and Expo at the Tourism Transport Summit and Expo 2019, held in Abuja.
The organizers said that Olateru was recognized for his ability to instill changes in the Nigerian aviation industry since his appointment about two years ago.
The organizers declared that through the bureau’s safety recommendations, AIB had been able to contribute its quota to improved air safety in Nigeria, stressing that its activities had gone beyond the shores of the continent to Europe and America.
The organizers said: “Olateru was nominated for this prestigious award because of his activities since he was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at AIB. He has brought vigour and exceptional leadership skills to bear since he came onboard. This only goes to show that if the right people are appointed to manage our affairs, we will attain our goals.”
In his remarks, Olateru lauded the organizers for recognizing his activities and that of his team since he came onboard.
He assured that the award would spur him and his entire team to do more for the agency, the industry and Nigeria as a whole.
He said: “I thank God and the organizers for the award. It is a landmark achievement for me as a person. It’s been a tough period. It has not been an easy one, but I thank God for all we have been able to achieve within the period. Something very critical is that you should believe in yourself, be strong and you need to be bold. With God on your side, you will achieve.
“One thing I promised when I came onboard in January 2017 was that I will make AIB the envy of others in the sector. With the help of God, we have reached that stage. We have done a lot of infrastructural development, equipment and human capital.”
Mr. Wole Shadare of the New Telegraph newspaper also bagged the award as the ‘Aviation Industry Reporter of the Year, ‘ at the event.
