Concerned Aviation Workers have deemed it fit to draw the attention of the Federal Government, to Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu as they seek his appointment as the next Minister of Aviation.
In a news statement, the group says, his qualifications speak volume of his ability to handle the industry and take it to greater heights.
Dr. Benard Olumuyiwa Aliu was recently honored by the past administration few hours to vacanting office by naming him after Akure International Airport.
He was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by former President Mohammadu Buhari.
According to the Group, these startling credentials put him ahead of others as the most suitable candidate to steer the ship of the aviation industry in Nigeria at this time.
Dr. Aliu’s Qualifications/Positions held
Dr. Benard Aliu was the former President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council from January 2005 to December 2013.
Before assuming that position, he was the representative of Nigeria on the ICAO Council. He served as the governing body’s First Vice-President and as Chairman of both its Technical Co-operation and Finance Committees.
Dr. Aliu was the Chairman of the ICAO Council Working Group on Governance and Efficiency (WGGE) and as Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the ICAO Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan).
Dr. Aliu graduated in 1983 with a MSc. Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Kiev Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers. He obtained a PhD in 1987.
The erstwhile ICAO boss also holds an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s License with multiple ratings and is an ICAO certified SMS Instructor. He holds an IATA Diploma in Civil Aviation Management as well as a Graduate Certificate in Air and Space Law from McGill University, Canada.
Dr. Aliu’s extensive professional experience in civil aviation spans 30 years. He has held various positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of safety oversight, economic regulation and negotiations of bilateral and multilateral agreements, including as Chief Airworthiness Surveyor, Director Air Transport Regulation in NCAA at its inception in the year 2000 and Technical Adviser to the Minister of Aviation thereafter.
Dr. Aliu played an active role in the formulation of the National Civil Aviation Policy leading to commercialization, liberalization and institution of competition and consumer protection programmes in the Nigerian air transport industry.
He led the development of the African Civil Aviation Policy (AFCAP) under the auspices of the African Union Commission.
Since 1998, he has participated in all sessions of the ICAO Assembly and has chaired numerous international meetings, including the ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels held in 2009.