The Managing Director / CEO of Belujane Konzult Mr. Chris Aligbe has reacted to the appointment of the Managing Director/ CE of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku to the World Governing board of Airport Council International (ACI) as Regional Advisor, and the recognitions received by two Nigerian airports on safety and comfort, saying the two feats augur well for Nigeria aviation industry.
Aligbe who cited Kuku’s deep understanding of the technicalities of the industry within her short period of mounting the leadership of the industry noted that it was a huge plus for her.
“Mrs Kuku’s appointment as a Regional Advisor to the World Governing Board of the ACI World Council, coming under one year of her appointment as the Managing Director of FAAN, would be a welcome surprise to most in the industry,” Aligbe said. “In a short time, he continued, “she has shown great understanding and insight into the demands and dictates of airport positioning in the air travel chain. She has begun to address this quietly but very effectively.”
The aviation consultant noted, “Most importantly, with her management style, she freed her airport managers from the restrictive encasement of bureaucratic red tape that held them back from expressing themselves professionally. The exploits of Airport Managers in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Warri, Owerri, and others as seen in the recently held NIGAV Peer Review were quite evidential.”
He added, “It is therefore quite exciting and heartwarming that a highly reputable international industry body such as Airport Council International has recognised Mrs Kuku’s achievements. Her appointment, for me, is not only a source of pride for Nigeria, the government, and her supervisory minister but also for FAAN and industry stakeholders at large. She gives hope for the future.”
The appointment of Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, into the World Governing Board of the Airports Council International (ACI) as regional advisor and the recognition of two Nigerian airports – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt for safety performance from February to September 2024 were announced during the 33rd Annual General Assembly of the ACI Africa held in Johannesburg South Africa recently.
ACI Africa recognised the two international airports’ “engagement towards the practice of excellence in airport emergency management and resilience.” The airports were awarded plaques during the conference’s Gala Night where Mrs Kuku was on hand to lead the Nigerian delegation in accepting the awards presented by the ACI Africa Secretary General, Ali Tounsi, and the President of ACI Africa, Emmanuel Chaves.
Both awards are for “Excellence in Airport Emergency Management and Resilience.”
Speaking at the event, Kuku expressed her delight at winning two awards in separate categories, emphasising the focus on safety and passenger comfort in Nigeria.
“We’re highly delighted to have won two awards in two separate categories. It really shows where our focus is for Nigeria. We’re heavily focused on safety and, of course, passenger comfort,” she said.
