Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
By Sade Williams
Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf and Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Governor of Kano State and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, respectively, have been selected as the Special Guests of Honour at the forthcoming 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), holding in Kano.
Apart from the duo, Capt. Chris Najomo, the Acting Director-General Civil Aviation (ADGCA) would deliver the keynote address, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarin, the President of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) would chair the occasion, while Engr. Farouk Umar, the Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is the Chief Host.
A statement over the weekend by Mr. Abayomi Agoro, the President, NATCA, said that the event, which would commence on November 27 through 28, 2024, would be held at Bristol Palace Hotel, 54/56 Guda Abdullah Road, Farm Centre, Kano.
The 2024 AGM is with the theme: ‘Sustainability of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Aviation: The imperative of Manpower Development and Efficient Air Navigation Services.’
According to Agoro, NATCA was intentional with the theme, saying that this would afford the stakeholders in the sector to assess the of the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government in the Nigerian aviation industry.
Agoro explained that NATCA would continue to weigh the impact of Federal Government’s policies in the sector, noting that 18 months after, it was necessary for stakeholders, professionals and industry analysts to discuss its effect in manpower development for the sector.
He said: “NATCA is one of the key associations in the Nigerian aviation industry. And through our performance, we have been able to ensure safety in the airspace. The essence of this year’s theme is for us to chronicle the impact of the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government, looking at the aviation industry.”
“All the aviation agencies CEOs are expected at the AGM with other major stakeholders in the aviation industry in Nigeria, including professionals from other fields in the sector.”
Other CEOs expected at the AGM are Mr. Joseph Imalighwe, Acting Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT), Zaria; Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., Director-General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).