It was glitz and glamour as top Management and staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, friends, family members and well- wishers celebrated Mrs. Victoria Bamidele Shin-Aba on her retirement from service.
Mrs. Shin-Aba retired on the 31st of June after 35 years in the employment of FAAN.
She climbed the ladder from from an Assistant House Manageress to become the Airport Manager, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lags and Regional Manager, South West Airports, first female to manage the MMIA and the first certified airport manager.
After a pull-out parade in her honour by the FAAN Fire and Rescue Department on the 31st, a grand reception was held June 2nd to celebrate her exit from service.
In a brief remark at the colorful event, the Managing Director, FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu described Mrs. Shin-Aba as a dedicated and hard-working woman.
He praised her for the feat achieved in the certification for the first of the MMIA by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA since the inception of the airport and her resilience in managing the airport with many challenges.
Director, Airport Operations, Capt. Muktar Muye under the Directorate Mrs. Shin-Aba worked commended her for her cooperation, team spirit and selfless service, adding that, though she has retired, the agency would call her anytime her advice and assistance is needed.
Also, the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole on behalf of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC said, the council enjoyed the cooperation and support of FAAN which she headed in implementing reforms at the Lagos airport.
“Not only they were delivered, they have also continued to be sustainably effective. It is on record that you were extremely hands-on with your supervision at the airport and always on your feet walking across all parts of there terminal and seeing things for your self”.
Sh added, “As you settle into a well-deserved retirement, our earnest desire and prayer is that you enjoy your retirement in good health, with joy and peace surrounded by your loved ones”.
Travel and Tourism Ambassador, Mr. Ikechi Uko while decorating her with an award as one of the top100 Aviation Business Leaders in Nigeria 2020 said, she manned the most challenging airport in Africa if not the world and among the top five women in aviators in Africa.
In their various speeches, friends, aviation stakeholders, representatives from the US and Canadian embassies, retired regional managers Northeast and southwest airports, retired staff of FAAN, contractors, airline operators both local and international and others thanked Mrs. Shin-Aba for always being alive to her duty while in service, for calm and ready to help no matter how difficult or challenging a problem might be.
Mrs Shin-Aba also used the occasion to launch her auto-biography tagged: My Resilience: The Memoir of my Bakery.
The book chronicles her birth, educational pursuit, challenges of life, her work experience, her service in FAAN, her achievements and recognitions among others.
After the book was reviewed by Mr. Chris Aligbe an Aviation consultant, it was handsomely launched by the Managing Director/CEO Airpeace, Barr. Allen Onyema who was the book launcher and other dignitaries.
Climax of the event was the presentation of gifts to Mrs. Shin-Aba, cutting of the retirement cake and other activities that added colour to the ceremony.
