…Re-election, mark of recognition for hard work, says Sirika
By Sade Williams
Nigeria has continued to record landmark achievements in the aviation sector, this time with the re-election of Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu as President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) today in Montreal , Canada .
Aliu’s re-election, coming on the heels of the country’s election into the world body’s “Part 2′ Category during its General Assembly in September, was without opposition, as he was the only one nominated at the close of submissions.
However, the election had to be affirmed through a voice vote which recorded no dissent from any of the members of the Council.
Addressing members of the Council after his election, Dr Aliu who will occupy the world aviation number one office for another three years, thanked them for re-affirming their confidence in him through the election and promised to be more committed to the ideals of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
He also gave assurance that he would continue to pursue such programmes as would bring the aviation world together as one, commitment to ensuring the safety, security, comfort and profitability of the industry through relevant support for Member-nations.
According to him, the Organization’s ‘No-Country-Left-Behind’ programme which he introduced, would remain cardinal in his drive to reposition the world aviation industry, and called on members to remain committed in honouring their duties and obligations to the Organization.
Reacting to Aliu’s re-election, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who was invited to address the Council expressed the gratitude of the Nigerian government for the support he had enjoyed over the past years .
According to Sirika, Aliyu’s re-election was a mark of recognition for his hard work and commitment to the ideals of the Organization and aspirations of the Member-nation’s who have come to see him as the arrowhead of the much desired reforms and developmentsin the Aviation Sector.
He further described it as a welcome development set to further boost the nation’s rising profile within the international community, especially in the aviation industry.
The Minister also said that the development would also make it difficult for the Nigerian government to relent in its commitment to reform the nation’s aviation industry, as the focus of the world constantly be on it to also provide leadership amongst nations.
Sirika had, prior to the election , led Nigerian Delegationon a Courtesy visit to Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu pledging the nation’s continued support .
