Following the serial campaigns of calumny against the recent appointment of Engineer. Ita Awak as the Director in the Directorate of Air Worthiness Standards (DAWS), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by aviation unions, African Business Trave lNews (ABTN) decided to investigate into the professsional background of the engineer.
Findings by ABTN however showed that the campaign is misdirecting the view of the public on the true qualifications of the newly appointed director.
A profile of the aircraft Maintenance Engineer made available to African Business Travel News (ABTN) by some of Awak allies in the aviation industry revealed that he is qualified for the position of the leadership of the very sensitive Directorate of Air Worthiness in the nation’s aviation regulatory agency.
According to the profile of the aircraft engineer made available to ABTN, Awak holds an up to date licence as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer which is a major prerequisite qualification for the position of Direction of Air Worthiness , NCAA.
Born on April 27, 1960 to the family of Chief Okon Henry Awak of Eyofai, Enwang Community in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Ita started his primary education in 1965 at Methodist Primary School, Enwang, Akwa Ibom State, and finished in 1971 at Zumratul Islammiya Primary School, Araromi Olodi, Apapa, Lagos State, where he had his First School Leaving Certificate.
He began his Secondary Education first at Methodist Secondary School, Ete, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State from 1972 to 1976 and following the cancellation of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) result of the entire school, he proceeded to Sarduana Memorial College, Kawo- Kaduna, Kaduna State where he got Grade One in the West Africa School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in 1977.
With his thirst for higher education, in 1983, he enrolled into Nigeria College of Aviation Technology,(NCAT), Zaria and graduated as a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in 1987. He was the first and last student of the Department of Engineering to assume the office of President of the Students’ Union (1984-1985) at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
His working career: Engr. Awak worked as Line Engineer, Express Airways, Kaduna from 1987 to 1988; Helicopter Engineer, Bristow Helicopters from 1989 to 1992, Senior Engineer, City-Link Airlines, Port Harcourt from 1992 to 1995 and Deputy Chief Engineer, City Links Airlines from 1995 to 1998.
To deepen his technical and professional competence, Awak successfully completed several specialized aviation training courses in Brazil and the United Kingdom. Hence, throughout his career as an aircraft engineer, Awak has maintained a track record of professionalism and excellence.
A prolific writer, community builder, and astute politician, Ita Awak has worked tirelessly to deepen democratic values and promote good governance not just in Akwa Ibom State but also in Nigeria. He served as Commissioner for Information and Culture in Akwa Ibom State from 2002 to 2003.
Until his appointment as a Director in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Awak served as Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter; a position he handled with unparalleled dignity and candor.
His elevation to the esteemed office of Director, Air Worthiness Standards (DAWS), has been described by some of his schoolmates at NCAT, as a well-deserved appointment.
The school mates who commented glowingly of his antecedents as a consummate professional, insisted that, “Engineer Ita Awak would effectively discharge his regulatory duties towards strengthening the Nigerian Aviation sector and safeguarding the well being of Nigerians”.
Engineer Awak who is happily married with five children, has since assumed office as the Director of Air Worthiness Standards, NCAA.
Those complaining are mentally derailed. Engr. Ita Awak is more than qualified and should be given the opportunity to effect the necessary changes required in the sector. Dr Demuren, is a serial lier known to the aviation industry and should not be taken seriously.