From left, Chairman, League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, Mr. Segun Koiko, Rector, International Aviation College, Ilorin, Captain Yakubu Okadahi and the representative of D/G NCAA, Wakili Adamu at the opening ceremony of 2022 Annual Aviation Training in Ilorin, Kwara State THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NIGERIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (NCAA); CAPTAIN MUSA NUHU, DURING HIS OPENING REMARK AS SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE 2023 LEAGUE OF AIRPORTS AND AVIATION CORRESPONDENTS (LAAC) TRAINING PROGRAMME HOLDING AT ILORIN AVIATION COLLEGE ON Monday 6TH February, 2023.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation; Captain Musa Nuhu who is unavoidably absent due to some other official engagements was represented by Wakili Adamu.at this auspicious occasion of the training of League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents LAAC, which has become an annual event.
“It gives me grate pleasure to be here for this important assignment, the process of developing human capacity, here in this important Collage. Let me use this medium to commend LAAC on the theme of this training “The need for an accurate aviation Reporting by aviation Journalists and the impact of inaccurate reporting” which was aptly captured and will make a meaning and impact in today’s event.
Captain Nuhu applauded LAAC for their concerted and consistent efforts at providing robust reportage and professional coverage of every development in the industry, which has aided the growth and development of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
As the apex regulatory body, NCAA has enjoyed (and still enjoys) tremendous partnership with LAAC and since my assumption of office over two years ago, the working relationship has been a symbiotic one and has continued to blossom and this privilege is well appreciated and will never be taken for granted.
As we all know, he said aviation is global as it is dynamic. To keep abreast of latest developments, innovation and trends in the ever changing sector, therefore continued human capacity development to keep abreast with the industry dynamism needs not be overemphasised. This explains and underlies why continuous human capacity development is and has been one of my administration’s cardinal principles
“We, at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, consider training (including initial, on-the-job and recurrent training) as key component of aviation development in Nigeria. Infect, training and retraining, can be liken to a capital project as it is critical to our operations as the apex regulatory Authority for Civil Aviation. The Authority’s personnel are exposed to appropriate trainings all over the world to enhance and maintain their skills and competence.
On the other hand, NCAA DG noted that you will all agree with me that it is a statement of facts, that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation in General and Nigeria in particular. According to him the press is the fourth Estate of the Realm and hence, can be convincingly referred to as the educator, enlighter, informer and indeed making things known to the public
“This reference was derived from both explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to report issues. You have been with us in this journey and you have been worthy partners in progress and Nigeria aviation success story will be incomplete without your valuable contributions.
“One of such contributions is the LAAC annual conference which has provided, and still providing veritable platform over the years for stakeholders to converge, discuss, brainstorm and dissect pertinent contemporary aviation issues with a view to proffering workable solutions that will move the industry forward. In my opinion, this training is an indication of the spirit of partnership that has existed (still existing) between NCAA and LAAC.
Captain Nuhu pointed out that the media and particularly LAAC has provided a platform which has helped in projecting the activities and laudable achievements of the NCAA to the public vis-à-vis our oversight functions, Your day-to-day reportage has shown that most of you have deep knowledge of aviation activities. Please keep it up.
NCAA appeals to LAAC to eschew sensationalism that is capable of putting the aviation sector in bad light and impacting negatively on our democracy. I strongly advise that aviation reporters should endeavour to verify and confirm stories before publishing which you so far commended for do so, he said.
“I encourage aviation reporters all to uphold at all times the ethical principles of journalism like accuracy, courage, objectivity, transparency and non-partisanship. It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry, he added.
In his words: There is no doubt that there is an increased confidence in the sector as new airlines are coming on-board and existing operators are expanding their routes. Expectedly, our cost of surveillance programme and other oversight responsibilities as the regulator of the industry have increased correspondently, he revealed.
“I will like to acknowledge the strong and continued support of the Federal government of Nigeria and the Hon, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika for always being their for us giving policy guidelines from the the stand point of knowledge, an aviator himself. We do not have superlative enough to thank him.
“The National Assembly Committee on Aviation’s support and co-operation is also well appreciated noting and appreciating their doggedness in enacting the Civil Aviation Act 2022 in a record time, which Mr. President had since accented to this e joint initiative of moving the Nigerian aviation sector forward we say we are grateful indeed..
Captain Nuhu also especially thank the entire staff and Management of Ilorin Aviation College for providing their facility for this purpose, Mr Rector I say thank you sir, while declare this training open.
