….Blasts “Puff-Puff Experts” for Desperate Attempt to Truncate Capt. Najomo’s Confirmation
The aviation industry has recently been stirred by what appears to be a calculated attempt to undermine the confirmation of Capt. Chris Najomo as the substantive Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), says, the Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA Mr Michael Achimugu.
According to him, the campaign, allegedly sponsored by vested interests opposed to reform, seeks to question the character, competence, and achievements of Capt. Najomo, who has served as Acting DG of the NCAA since December 2023.
A poorly crafted article, he says, signed by individuals claiming to represent the industry has leveled unfounded allegations against Capt. Najomo, an industry veteran with over 40 years of experience.
Fondly called “Jolly Papa” by admirers and air travelers, Capt. Najomo is celebrated for his charisma, integrity, and commitment to the aviation sector.
Under his leadership, Achimugu maintained that, the NCAA has achieved remarkable milestones, including the commissioning of the Flight Data Centre, a critical facility for enhancing flight safety.
This was accomplished despite persistent efforts by detractors to tarnish his reputation and disrupt his tenure.
Among the allegations was a claim that he declared himself DG without due process—a charge based on a video where he simply introduced himself using his current title during an internal meeting.
He noted that, xritics have also questioned Capt. Najomo’s commitment to safety, citing incidents that are global aviation realities rather than indicators of leadership failure.
Highlighting his milestones in NCAA, Achimugu said, notably, during his tenure, the NCAA has maintained an impeccable safety record, with no major commercial airline crashes.
He has also taken decisive actions, such as suspending Dana Air over financial issues that could compromise safety, demonstrating his prioritization of passenger welfare.
In response to concerns about passenger rights and service quality, Capt. Najomo has introduced initiatives that have revolutionized consumer protection within the NCAA.
These he stressed, include a groundbreaking complaints portal and a record volume of passenger refunds and compensations as industry stakeholders have praised his efforts to modernize processes, reduce licensing delays, and foster a more productive workforce by clearing long-standing staff entitlements.
Explaining further, Capt. Najomo’s tenure reflects the “Ease of Doing Business Without Compromising Standards” mantra he champions and his reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He emphasized that, while some detractors attempt to revive outdated systems of inefficiency, industry unions, operators, and stakeholders have overwhelmingly called for Capt. Najomo’s confirmation.
His achievements, vision, and leadership stand in stark contrast to the baseless allegations aimed at derailing progress.
The decision to confirm Capt. Chris Najomo, Achimugu stated, lies with the Minister of Aviation, the Presidency, and the National Assembly.
Until then, the NCAA remains focused on delivering its mandate under the steadfast leadership of a man dedicated to elevating Nigeria’s aviation industry to global standards.
