The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,FAAN shone brilliantly at the recently held 8th Nigerian Aviation Award night, NIGAV 2017 as it won 9 awards in different categories.
Directors other staff of the agency who were present at the event were elated that the Agency’s efforts in ensuring a safe, comfortable and secured airports across the country had been noticed and commended by passengers, stakeholders and other Nigerians who voted by nomination.
The awards were divided into two sessions: the special industry recognition awards and nomination awards with a total of 48 categories. These were presented in four different sets: General, Technical and Leadership.
The agency won the the award for the Agency of the year, Africa Most Promising Airport which was won by the Murtala Mohammed International airport, Most Improved International Airport won by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja and the Most Improved Domestic won by the Benin airport.
The awards which were presented in 4 stages saw Dana air clinching the Best domestic airline of the year, Medview airline, Most Outstanding Indigenous regional carrier, Arik air, Air Best Crew of the year(domestic) and Aero Contractors, Maintenance Repair Organization special Achievement.
While Others awards: Special Leadership Recognition Airport Management went to the Managing Director,FAAN, Engineer Saleh Dunoma, Airport Operations Personality of the year was won by the Airport Manager, MMIA, Mrs Victoria Shinaba, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu , Aviation Public Relation Officer of the year, Airport Manager of the year, Alhaji Mahmood Liko Sani and Aviation Engineer of the year, Engr. Salisu Nurudeen Daura.
In his opening remarks, the organizer and President of FCI, Mr. Fortune Idu said the award is to “inspire industry professionals to strive for excellence and the Nigerian Aviation Award has stood out as a prime brand for motivation and promotion of industry growth in a safe and sustainable manner”.
He noted that the award was an industry motivating factor for excellence and had helped to engender healthy competition for a safer air service delivery and a promoter of development.
Idu disclosed that as part of the progression in the growth of the industry, the Nigerian Aviation Development Promotion activities by FCI International Limited had commenced, “our final plan to develop a permanent site for NIGAV by the proposed NIGAV International and Conference Expo Centre for international trade promotion which is to be situated at the MMIA. The journey which started 10 years ago has finally reached its destination which is to add direct value to traffic in aviation development where annual Africa air route marketing expo can be held”.
Jacky Haitiramani of Dana air was the CEO of the year, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company plc(NAHCO Aviance) Airport Ground Handling Special Achievement, Mr. Akin Olateru, AIB commissioner, Most innovative Aviation Leader of the year, Captain Mukhar Shaibu Usman, DG NCAA, Special Leadership Recognition aviation Regulation and captain Fola Akinkuotu MD NAMA, Special Leadership Recognition, Airspace Management.
Best Aviation Customers Service Unit was clinched by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Consumer Protection Directorate, Aviation Corporate Promotion Personality was Kingsley Ezenwa PRO of Dana Air, Best Aviation Radio Reporter and Presenter of the year was Nosa Osula-Aituamen of Radio Nigeria, Best Transport Reporter in the Print, Aliu Abdulateef, Best Aviation Analytic Writer, Wole Shadare and Best Air Transport Social Media Platform was the Nigerian FlightDeck by Tony Patrick Omo, among others.
Highlight of the award event was the unveiling of the King and Queen of the Sky.
This was keenly contested by four smartly well- dressed cabin attendants of Dana air, two males and females responding to questions asked relating to their duties as air host/hostess.
After due consultations with the attendees the duo of Collins Ginika as King while Chiogo Okani became the Queen of the Sky.
This is the first time such contest will be included in the NIGAV events.
In performing their first duty as King and Queen, the star prize for winning the contest was donated to the SOS Children Village who were on hand to receive the cheque of a N100,000 and thank everyone for their support.
