By Sade Williams
Amid pomp and pageantry, the Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV) and Ministerial Dinner on Friday held at the NIGAV centre at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The program, which attracted the creme-de -la creme of the aviation sector, is the 14th edition of the awards aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in all spheres of the sector.
Declaring the event open, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo described the program as one that has ‘become an industry tool for promoting best practices, positive competition, unifying all the sectors and projecting Nigeria’s aviation image.’
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Foundation for Accelerated Aviation Growth’.
While commending the organiser of the programme, Mr. Fortune Idu, who is also the Chairman of FCI International Limited/NIGAV Centre and the Nigeria Aviation Development Promotion Award committee, known as the NIGAV committee, for consistency and drive to promote excellence in the sector, Keyamo expressed delight that the program has created ‘a yearly opportunity to review our collective performance, address the gaps and prepare the industry for continuing growth.”
“Today, we are here to reward the performance for the year 2024. From the highest ranking staff of the Ministry to the most junior officers in the various sub-units of the aviation industry; airports, airlines, airspace, weather, aviation training, insurance, contractors, consultants, etc, your contribution to safer all transportation cannot be ignored, and I want to sincerely appreciate your hand work and patriotism.
“I have been informed that over 60 organisations and individuals will receive awards in various industry categories: airlines, airports, Service providers, etc. I have also been informed that the NIGAV award includes a cabin crew contest for an inflight experience that will lead to crowing the winners as King and Queen of the Air. The programme is unique to Nigeria and promotes the unification of the airlines, which the Ministry finds very innovative and commendable.
“The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme of the King and Queen of the air is noble and will be supported by my administration to promote harmony and social integration. This administration believes that Industry growth and sustainability are anchored on the excellent performance of every team member of the sector and we shall encourage the promotion of excellence strengthen our regulation and oversight of the industry by giving the Civil Aviation Authority the best support the industry has ever seen.”, he said.
The King and Queen of the Air contest offers a prestigious opportunity to become the national King and Queen of the Cabin crew. The winners hold the esteemed tiles for one year, serving as Nigeria’s air transportation ambassadors of goodwill, representing the industry to the public,
During their tenure, the winners will initiate and carry out CSR programmes that directly impact airport communities, promote aviation safety best practices and create joint awareness programmes and campaign for the industry.
The Minister highlighted the importance of aviation to the nation’s economy, adding that the Ministry has begun to empower the industry by investing heavily in infrastructure.
He said: “There is also an ongoing repositioning of the airport subsector to be more efficient and to serve as a strong bedrock for industry stability. Aviation is one of the fastest growing sectors in Nigeria, it is the primary catalyst for speedy economic transformation, it not only builds the bridge for national social and economic inclusion but also plays a significant role in regional trade integration and serves as the main gateway for global trade. Aviation is key for the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative, where Nigeria is expected to lead. This administration understands and appreciates the importance of this sector in fast tracking development and has begun to empower the industry by investing heavily in infrastructure to give it a safe backbone to operate and encourage public private partnerships.’’ 
Idu, the organiser of the awards revealed that over 400 recipients have been awarded the NIGAV honours in various categories encompassing all aspects of air transport development, operations, services, leadership, management and creativity from airlines and airports.
“The NIGAV awards is regarded as Nigeria’s most prestigious awards. It fosters industry harmony and encourages healthy competition for safer, nore sustainable air service delivery. It serves as a hallmark of inspiration and motivation within the industry and acknowledges exceptional contributions.”, he said.
Aviation Agencies like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and their Chief Executive Officers were all recognized for their excellent performances in the last one year.
Airports, terminals and airlines like the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal two (MMA2), Asaba airport, Abuja and Osubi airports; Air Peace; Aero Contractors; Xejet; Ibom Air; Arik Air, among others were also awarded in different categories.
The two ground handling companies: Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc and Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) also bagged awards.
Lifetime achievements awards, most informative social media and best aviation reporter awards were also given to deserving persons.
