Media reports critical to NCAA’s success –Director General

The successes recorded in the aviation industry in Nigeria has been linked to the positive contributions of the media, particularly, members of the League of Aviation and Airports Correspondents (LAAC).

The observation was made on Monday by the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu at the opening ceremony of the League Of Aviation And Airport Correspondents (LAAC) training at Nigerian College Of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria

Nuhu who commended members of the league for supporting the growth of the industry with their objective reportage on the issues affecting the industry said, “you will agree with me that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation. The press is the Fourth Estate of the Realm. In other words, the fourth arm of government. This reference was derived from both explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to report issues. You have been with us in this journey and you have been worthy partners. Every success story about aviation in Nigeria cannot be written without the contributions of all of you.”

Affirming that LAAC has been of great asset to the industry intellectually, the NCAA boss noted in particular that the League’s Annual Conference has provided a veritable platform for stakeholders to converge and dissect as well as proffer workable solutions to pertinent contemporary aviation issues.

“One of your many contributions is the LAAC Annual Conference which has provided, and still providing veritable platform over the years for stakeholders to converge and dissect pertinent contemporary aviation issues with a view to proffering workable solutions that will move the industry forward. In my opinion, this training is an indication of that spirit of camaraderie that had existed (still existing) between NCAA and LAAC,” he noted.

The Chief regulator of the aviation industry in Nigeria who was represented at the occasion by the Assistant General Manager , Directorate of Air Transport Regulations, Kaduna Regional Office, Lulufa Vongtau,  however, called on industry stakeholders  particularly journalists to give their full support to nation’s apex aviation regulatory body and eschew sensationalism in the reports as the nation set for ICAO audit in the first quarter of 2022.

“Therefore, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) appeals to all stakeholders including the media to join hands with us to ensure a successful audit next year. From now on, all your reports are very sensitive. Let us eschew sensationalism capable of putting the nation in bad light. Therefore, I will advise anyone to endeavour to verify and confirm his/her stories before publishing, if in doubt. It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry,” Nuhu appealed.

meanwhile in his remark at the opening ceremony of the training programme, the Chairman of the League,  Mr. Segun Koiki who expressed  gratitude to God for the recovery being witnessed in the industry after the devastating effects of Covid -19 and its variants reiterated the league’s  commitments to the development of the industry through objective and positive reportage

.”You will agree with me that the partnership between LAAC and NCAT cannot but grow higher and higher. I wish to reassure you that LAAC will continue to support NCAT in pursuing its goals and objectives and ensuring that NCAT furthers its performance in the global aviation training market.” Koiki said.