Delegates for the election of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) have arrived in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State to elect officers who will run the affairs of the union at national level for the next four years.
Elections are to be held into the offices of National President, first National Deputy Presidents, Second vice presidents, national treasurer, national auditor, national financial secretary, national woman leader, national trustee and ex-officios.
While two candidates are locking horns for the position of national president, eight candidates, four each, are vying for the two available seats of first National Deputy Presidents and second National Deputy Presidents respectively.
The two contenders for election into the office of National President are: The incumbent Comrade Ahmadu Illitrus of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) who is being challenged by Comrade Ahmad Danjuma of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
They both hold senior management positions in their respective agencies.
The four candidates for the two available seats of first National Deputy Presidents are: Comrades Emmanuel Jaja, Adekoya Olasupo Adegbola, Olaonipekun Olaniran and Tijani Ademola
While Ayegbusi Olajide, Akingbogu Adekoya, Anthony Ogbuji and the only female contestant, Vera Egbukichi are vying for the position of the two available seats in the office of the second National Deputy Presidents.
Meanwhile, campaigning for the various national executive positions hots up ahead of tonight’s election in Ijebu-Ode where the union members, sister union officials, electoral committee officials and election monitors converged for the ATSSSAN Third Quadrennial National Delegates Conference.
The presence of the large contingent of aviation workforce which tops discussions among residents of the ancient town, has no doubt impacted positively on the economy of the town; virtually all the hotels in Ijebu-Ode have been fully booked by ATSSSAN for delegates from across Nigeria.
As the candidates look toward the last moment to the elections, the two presidential candidates and their foot soldiers were seen embarking on their last minute campaign moves with visits to electorates in their hotels around Ijebu-Ode making electioneering promises.
Expectedly, each of them employing every strategy allowed within the association’s electoral laws, to win as many electorates as possible to their sides.
In his manifesto, incumbent President, Comrade Illitrus said he is coming to consolidate on the massive achievements his administration has put in place in the last 4 years.
While Illitrus, claimed his administration has done a lot for members of the union in the last four years of his administration, his opponent in the contest, Ahmad stated categorically that he has a five point agenda that would enhance more conducive working environment for aviation workers, if elected as the national President.
According to Illitrus, the union has been made solvent after he liquidated a N25 million debt he inherited when he came in as president four years ago.
Listing the his five 5 point agenda for the senior staff association, Ahmad pledged installation of democracy in ATSSSAN; Capacity building/training of members; rejuvenation/strengthening of ATSSSAN national secretariat; teamwork and restoration of ATSSSAN glory.
“You will be shocked to know that we have signed a record condition of service in the life of ATSSSAN within this period despite the challenges of COVID19. There were some of our affiliates that had no severance benefits in the last 10 years. No improvements on their CoS. We made promises to them which we achieved. We have signed in Arik Air, NCAT, SAHCO, Bi-Courtney, NCAA and others. I can go on and on, on the issue of the welfare of our members.
“On debt settlements, Illitrus noted that his administration inherited N25 million liability with lots of staff issues unresolved.
He however, informed that “We have paid the debts as at today and we have resolved all the issues at our staff secretariat. We equally inherited the entitlement of two sessions of the National administrative officers that were left unpaid. We have paid the entitlement for the National officers for the last 4 years. If I leave ATSSSAN today, I am leaving free of all liabilities,”Illitrus enumerated.
On his electioneering campaign Ahmad said: “It is our belief that if we democratise ATSSSAN, where issues of branches are taken seriously. We will go a long way in making a better ATSSSAN”.
“We want to rejuvenate and strengthen our national secretariat. ATSSSAN members are not happy how ATSSSAN is being run at the secretariat level. There are branches and units that are not given the opportunity to function.
” We need to bring back the glory that ATSSSAN is known for in the industry. ATSSSAN has lost focus over this period. It is no longer the same. We need to bring back the strength the union has”.
