To ensure the survival of domestic airlines in business, aviation stakeholders have been tasked to find solutions to their frequent collapses in the country.
The charge was given by former governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada at the dinner and awards to unveil National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers’ (NAAPE) compendium of 50 outstanding pilots and engineers in Lagos.
Wada said, the life span of any domestic airline was too short in the country.
He noted that domestic airlines hardly last more than a decade stressing that there was the need for experts to find the way out of this frequent collapse.
According to the EAS airline boss, the aviation industry remained a very consuming endeavour stressing the need for full dedication by stakeholders towards the survival of the industry in the country.
The former Kogi State governor maintained that there was need to continue working hard in the aviation sector saying, that Pilots and Engineers should be doing things according to procedures and courses as a result of their callings and training.
Capt Wada who was a recipient of the award as a pilot, thanked the members of NAAPE for putting together the ceremony in recognising pilots and engineers in the industry.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State Aviation Hadi Sirika who was represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Capt Fola Akinkuotu said NAAPE has contributed immensely to the development and success of the aviation industry in the country.
Sirika sued for higher commitment in the industry especially from the awardees in order to continue making progress.
While congratulating them on the unveiling of the compendium, Sirika urged NAAPE to continue working within the law by maintaining standards assuring them of the ministry’s support to succeed.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Aderemi Makanjuola represented by Managing Director of Caverton,
Capt Josiah Choms said the era of confrontation between unions and management of organizations was over as issues were now addressed through dialogue with management.
According to Makanjuola, the integrity of trade unionism must be protected noting that the unveiling of the compendium has shown how far the aviation industry has achieved its feats.
He urged NAAPE to remain focus in order to continue maintaining their position in the industry.
Earlier in his welcome address, the president of NAAPE, Comrade Abednego Galadima noted that for over three decades that the association has remained firm in the advocacy for the rights, privileges, and welfare of Nigerian pilots and aircraft engineers on one hand and ensuring professionalism and professional excellence while promoting safety of the industry.
Galadima said Nigerian pilots and engineers have been contributing immensely to the growth and development of the global aviation industry in general and Nigeria in particular.
He said the industry has recorded five accident free years which is evidence that Nigerian pilots and aircraft engineers, who without debate were pillars of the industry.
Galadima however noted that with unity, the increasing rate of unemployment among pilots and aircraft engineers in the country will be overcome.
He announced that NAAPE has instituted an annual aviation safety award for aviation organizations, both public and private aimed at promoting and entrenching safety culture and rewarding safe practices.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony, include, the Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt Mohammed Abdullah,
Managing Director of Aero Contractors Capt Ado Sanusi,
former Rector NCAT, Capt Adebayo Araba, former DG Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engineer Fidelis Onyeyiri others are former president of Aviation Round Table, Capt Dele Ore,
