Stakeholder synergy canvassed for aviation sector development

By Business AM

Synergy among stakeholders is required for the development of the aviation sector in Nigeria, says Afeez Alabi, the commissioner for tertiary education in Kwara State.

Presenting a keynote speech at the opening of the 2023 training for members of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC),  at the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, Alabi said the only way to realise the gains of aviation like it is a booster to developing countries was for stakeholders to cooperate and find solutions to issues beleaguering the sector in Nigeria.

“The sector is capital intensive but what we find in Nigeria today is not impressive. The sector is supposed to be a  booster to the economy but we are not doing much, although the operators deserve our applause but the issue of policy thrust not being followed and other bottlenecks are not too good. We need to firm [up] a synergy that will take the sector to an enviable place,” he said.

Meanwhile, the International Aviation College (IAC), has in the last twelve years, produced 300 graduates from different departments in the institution, Okatayi Yakubu, the acting rector of the college,  has said.

And Musa Nuhu, director general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), called on aviation reporters to shun sensationalism in their reportage.

In his speech, Yakubu said the college gets patronage from the Nigeria Air Force, the Nigerian Navy, Presidential fleet, airlines and state governments.

According to him, the college is poised for excellence in aviation training adding, “our intention is to produce disciplined pilots and other aviation professionals.”

The duo noted that sensational reports would only scare passengers and other aviation consumers from the sector.

Represented by Wakil Adamu, director, human resources, the NCAA DG stressed the need for members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to be exposed to terminologies and some other technical aspects  of aviation, noting that this will give them the confidence to write accurate and moderate reports.

“NCAA considers training and retraining as critical to development of personnel and the sector. We urge members of the league to avoid sensationalism in reporting this sector,” he said.

Olusegun Koiki, chairman, LAAC, in his remarks, called on the state government not to treat the college as an appendage of the civil service as the school needs to be more competitive.

He said the government needs to give the school attention so it can thrive.

“The management needs to tighten its seatbelt and be more competitive. The college may have been funded by the state government, but as a specialised aviation training institution, it should not be treated as an appendage of the Kwara State Civil Service.

“It requires the input of topnotch professionals in all segments of the aviation industry for it to remain relevant and be on the right track in the sub-sector,” he added.