Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of major aviation agencies and organisations are among members of the panel of discussants at forthcoming 27th edition of the annual conference of League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
A statement jointly signed by Messrs. Chinedu Eze and Albinus Chiedu, the Chairman and Secretary, LAAC Conference Committee, respectively, said that this year’s conference was informed by the emerging changes in approach to aviation business as regards technology, airline management and operations, financing and other aspects of the aviation industry.
The statement which reaffirmed the Theme of this year’s conference as ‘Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies.’ added that the event will hold on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
While the Director-General Civil Aviation Authority (DGCA), Capt. Musa Nuhu would present the keynote address, two other CEOs, , the Director-General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akin Olateru, and the CEO TopBrass Aviation, Capt. Roland Iyayi are expected to make key presentations at the conference.
The presentations would be followed by a panel session to address issues bedeviling the sector in line with the theme.
Some of the CEOs expected as discussants include those of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Mohammed; Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Tayib Odunowo and Chairman of Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema.
The panel of discussants will also include the Group Managing Director of Finchglow Travels / the Chairman of Association of Aviation Training Organizations (AATOs) in Nigeria, Mr. Bernard Bankole and President of Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Dr. Gabriel Olowo.
Other key dignitaries that would participate at this year’s conference are, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Chairman, SIFAX Group of Companies, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi and Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Matazu,
Others expected are: Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria; CEO Centurion Aviation Services Ltd, Grp. Capt. John Ojikutu Rtd, Publisher, Travellers Weekend, Mr. Ikechi Uko and many other key stakeholders.
No fewer than 250 aviation industry professionals cutting across the aviation parastatals, security agencies, international and domestic airlines operating in Nigeria, aviation support services, travel trade sellers and buyers in Nigeria’s aviation industry are expected to participate at this year’s conference.
The statement added: “Aviation and allied business organisations have taken the advantage of sponsorship opportunities presented by this event to sell their products and services. This 2023 edition presents yet another opportunity.
“There shall be both physical and virtual participation in the conference to enable participation of stakeholders from across the world.
“Individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in the industry on performance shall equally be honoured with Awards at the LAAC Awards of Excellence segment.”
LAAC is Nigeria’s aviation media umbrella body saddled with the responsibility of ensuring effective media coverage and practice in the aviation industry.
The LAAC annual conference has over the years made an unquantifiable impact on Nigeria’s aviation sector by throwing up policy, management and operational issues for public discussion. This has resulted in tremendously significant evidential changes in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
