…to institute an award of excellence for outstanding aviation journalists
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured stakeholders and Nigerians of zero accident in all air transport categories in 2019.
This is just as the regulatory authority says it will continue to invest in the training of its personnel to consolidate on the safety and security enjoyed so far for more than three years now.
Speaking at the opening of this year’s League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC Training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, Director-General, NCAA, Captain Muktar said training was vital to its operations as a regulatory authority, adding that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) required all civil aviation authorities in the world to have requisite professionals in sufficient number.
He stressed that staff of the authority are exposed to relevant training all over the world to ensure the Authority provides a robust regulation for the aviation industry
“The Authority with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Honourable Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has been strengthening our regulatory capability in all aspects of our operations”.
Captain Usman represented by the Deputy General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Joe Jimoh said the authority considered the training exercise as a key component of aviation development in Nigeria.
“It is against this background that the NCAA has continually endeavoured to extend similar training to the media corps over the years. You will agree with me that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation”.
Captain Usman told the aviation reporters participating in the training programme that their watchdog role played a very important part in fostering stability in the industry, adding that with credible reports and in depth analysis founded on good critique of the industry, this would motivate the regulatory authority and indeed all other stakeholders to provide pillars of growth for the sector.
“In my assessment of the media, this training is an indication of the spirit of camaraderie that had existed between NCAA and your group”.
“The media has been with us in this journey and you have been worthy partners. Every success story about aviation in Nigeria cannot be written without the contributions of all of you”, he added.
The NCAA boss charged the reporters to intensify their professionalism and become award winning journalists and aspire to win nationally and internationally recognizable awards.
He disclosed that the Authority was planning to commence an award with very generous remuneration for certain categories of aviation journalists and this would go to those who have been adjudged to have contributed immensely by their reports and analysis to the promotion and growth of aviation in Nigeria.
Responding, the chairman LAAC, Mr. Olusegun Koiki thanked the leadership of the NCAA and FAAN for their contributions to the continuous success and retention of this programme over the years.
”LAAC as a body last attended this training, which is supposed to be an annual programe over four years ago. We want to appeal to the various agencies to collaborate with us to ensure that the programme is held annually”.
”It is pertinent to note that the volume of knowledge gathered from the trainings has significantly helped us as aviation media practitioners and journalists to disseminate aviation information more professionally amidst technological advancements in application of safety, security, economics and regulation of the sector”.
”I am confident that the knowledge that would be garnered this year will further empower us to play our role as the fourth estate of the realm, not just in the industry, but in the country as a whol”..
”Considering the fact that the year 2019 has just commenced, thereby providing another opportunity for Nigeria as a nation to make progress as regards aviation development, LAAC wishes to use this forum in the spirit of patriotism, to appeal to the various stakeholders and aviation authorities in Nigeria to show more commitment towards development of the sector”, he added.
He expressed LAAC’s readiness to partner NCAT, NAMA, FAAN, NCAA, NIMET, AIB and the ministry in pursuing their goals and objectives and ensuring that the agencies attain their rightful position in the global aviation market.
