Glitz and glamour was redefined last weekend in the aviation sector when stakeholders gathered to mark the Nigeria Aviation Award (NIGAV) at the Expo Center in Lagos.
From the beautifully decorated hall with its inviting ambience guests who saturated all tables were treated to a unique experience with different musical tunes filtering in by the stand by musical band.
The children from the SOS village, Isolo who have become a regular feature at the NIGAV Awards since inception to solicit support also added colour to the event as they performed traditional dances in Nigeria”s three major languages. The children at the event received a cash donation from the Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika.
Aviation Agencies, private companies and individuals bagged awards in various categories while cash award of N1million was given to the winners of the King and Queen of the Air competition adjudged by a panel of five judges to have excelled in the areas assessed.
Declaring open the ceremony, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, represented by the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, AIB-N, Engr. Akin Olateru commended the organizer for putting together the award ceremony which had over the years motivated organizations and individuals to scale up efforts in promoting safety, security and comfort in the industry.
He stressed that to succeed, four things were needed, these he listed as being good at whatever one does, perseverance, to be fair to all concerned and to have a good relationship with God.
“If you will agreed with me when you work you will appreciate being rewarded, it is not about finances, it is not about getting salaries but just to say that people see you, that somebody from outside can actually watch what you see you are doing and really appreciate your effort”.
He praised the courage, tenacity, perseverance and professionalism of the organizer of the NIGAV Award, Mr. Fortune Idu.
“Every year he keeps improving on what he does, I need us to please learn from this, everybody should think of how can I make things better where I work, how can I improve on the processes”.
The Minister stated that, if all engaged in the processes and think about how things could be better and solve problems, the aviation industry would be a better place.
“And this is what this administration has been doing since inception ensuring we are solving problems and making things better and also constantly evaluating processes and procedures and to see how we can improve on things”.
In his opening remarks, the NIGAV coordinator, Mr. Fortune Idu said, the award was to inspire industry professionals to strive for excellence.
He stated that, the Nigerian Aviation award had stood out as a prime brand for motivation and promotion of industry growth in safe and sustainable manner.
“The Award which is tagged as Nigeria’s most prestigious air transport award and has stood as an industry motivating factor for excellence and has also helped to engender healthy competition for safer air service delivery and a promoter of development”.
Idu explained that, the Nigerian Aviation (NIGAV) Awards which was part of the former Nigeria Aviation Conference and Expo and Award event is now on its 11th edition as the primary independent watch dog of the industry whose programmes inspire best practice and promote industry excellence.
He added, “The activities that permeate every aviation year are highlighted in the event for building traveller’s confidence and creating a strong and positive perception of the travel industry in Nigeria”.
