NCAA DG reiterates need for training, retraining as key component of aviation development in Nigeria

The Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Shuaibu Musa Nuhu has emphasized the need for training and retraining in the aviation industry in Nigeria.

Speaking while declaring the annual training of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC open, Capt. Nuhu stated that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, consider training (including initial, on-the-job and recurrent training) as key component of aviation development in Nigeria.

The DG who was represented by the Director Human Resources and Admin, Alhaji Wakil Adamu, observed that training and retraining, can be liken to a capital project as it is critical to its operations as the apex regulatory Authority for Civil Aviation.

He said the Authority’s personnel are exposed to appropriate trainings all over the world to enhance and maintain their skills and competence.

“On the other hand, you will all agree with me that it is a statement of facts, that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation in General and Nigeria in particular. The press is the fourth Estate of the Realm and hence, can be convincingly referred to as the educat andor, enlighter, informer and indeed making things known to the public .
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 in progress and Nigeria aviation success story will be incomplete without your valuable contributions.
One of such contributions is the LAAC annual conference which has provided, and still providing veritable platform over the years for stakeholders to converge, discuss, brainstorm 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 the spirit of partnership that has existed (still existing) between NCAA and LAAC”, the DG said.

He commended LAAC on the theme of the training which is: “The need for an accurate aviation Reporting by aviation Journalists and the impact of inaccurate reporting”.

Capt Nuhu applauded LAAC for their concerted and consistent efforts at providing robust reportage and professional coverage of every development in the industry, which has aided the growth and development of the aviation industry in Nigeria.

In his words: “As the apex regulatory body, NCAA has enjoyed (and still enjoys) tremendous partnership with LAAC and since my assumption of office over two years ago, the working relationship has been a symbiotic one and has continued to blossom and this privilege is well appreciated and will never be taken for granted.

As we all know, aviation is global as it is dynamic. To keep abreast of latest developments, innovation and trends in the ever changing sector, therefore continued human capacity development to keep abreast with the industry dynamism needs not be overemphasised. This explains and underlies why continuous human capacity development is and has been one of my administration’s cardinal principles”.

He pointed that LAAC has provided a platform which has helped in projecting the activities and laudable achievements of the NCAA to the public vis-à-vis its oversight functions, stressing that their day-to-day reportage has shown that most of them have deep knowledge of aviation activities.

The NCAA boss used the opportunity to appeal to the Journalists to eschew sensationalism that is capable of putting the aviation sector in bad light and impacting negatively on the country’s democracy.

He advised that aviation Reporters should endeavour to verify and confirm stories before publishing ‘which you so far comcommendedly do’.

He encouraged the LAAC members to uphold at all times the ethical principles of journalism like accuracy, courage, objectivity, transparency and non-partisanship.

In his words: “It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry.
There is no doubt that there is an increased confidence in the sector as new airlines are coming on-board and existing operators are expanding their routes. Expectedly, our cost of surveillance programme and other oversight responsibilities as the regulator of the industry have increased correspondently”.

The DG acknowledged the strong and continued support of the Federal government of Nigeria and the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika for always being their for the industry, giving policy guidelines from the the stand point of knowledge, an aviator himself.

According to him: “The National Assembly Committee on Aviation’s support and co-operation is also well appreciated noting and appreciating their doggedness in enacting the Civil Aviation Act 2022 in a record time, which Mr. President had since accented to this joint initiative of moving the Nigerian aviation sector forward we say we are grateful indeed”.

NCAA boss also appreciated the entire staff and Management of Ilorin Aviation College for providing their facility for this purpose.

In his remarks, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq stated that the state government is striving to give the school the desired attention it requires.

Abdulrahman who was represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Institution, Dr. Abolore Alabi said the government as a responsible government is striving to reposition the school with many policies and programmes.

The Governor disclosed that already, the government has placed orders for more equipment in the school which 50 percent has reached the college.

In his welcome address, the Acting Rector of the College, Capt Okatayi Yakubu thanked LAAC for choosing the school for her 2022/23 training.

Captain Okatayi emphasised the need for training and retraining in the the aviation industry.

The Rector said the training coming at this time of electioneering campaign in the country is a welcome development.

He said the plan of the school is to train more pilots and aviation professionals for the country.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC, Mr Olusegun Koiki
expressed gratitude to the managements of all the aviation agencies in the country, especially the managements of NCAA, FAAN, NSIB, NCAT and NAMA for their contributions towards the success and sustenance of this yearly programme over the years.

He noted that the volume of knowledge garnered from the trainings under this programme has significantly helped us as aviation media practitioners and journalists to disseminate aviation information more accurately and professionally amidst technological advancements in application of safety, security, economics and regulation of the sector.

He said “I am confident that this year’s training at the International Aviation College, Ilorin will further empower us to play our role as the fourth estate of the realm, especially as LAAC decided to embark on this industry course at Ilorin for the first time in its annals.

Though, International Aviation College, Ilorin claimed to offer about eight courses, which include; Private Pilot License (for airplane), Private Pilot License (for helicopter), Commercial Pilot Licence (for airplane), Commercial Pilot License (for helicopter), Flight Dispatcher Course, Instrument Ratings, Multi-Engine Rating And Night-Rating, but the college is largely unpopular among aviation journalists, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent”.

He likened the situation of the college to a young man winking at a girl in the dark, adding that, “Only him knows what he does, but the girl and others don’t know he exists.

LAAC Chairman pointed out that the college lacks publicity or mention in the media, despite the issuance of commercial pilot training certificate to it by NCAA in 2011, which is about 12 years ago.

Koiki noted that the absence of its media mention is affecting its growth negatively as its potential students are attracted by other similar institutions, not just in Nigeria, but also across the sub-region.

In the words of Koiki: “The management needs to tighten its seatbelt and be more competitive. The college may have been funded by the State Government, but as a specialised aviation training institution, it should not be treated as an appendage of the Kwara State Civil Service. It requires the input of topnotch professionals in all segments of aviation industry for it to remain relevant and be on the right track in the sub-sector”.

LAAC chairman stressed the need for the state government to take a serious look at the college and give it the appropriate attention and maximum support it deserves, stressing that this will make it competitive and more productive among it’s peers in the industry.

“The year 2023 is still relatively young and it provides another opportunity for the college to make progress as regards its activities. LAAC, the only aviation journalists’ body in Nigeria is willing to partner with the college in order to increase its market share in aviation training in the country and beyond.
LAAC as I earlier said, is an association of aviation journalists that has been in existence for over 40 years. We can use our wealth of experience in aviation reportage and training to sell the International Aviation College to the outside world. You can also tap into the opportunities offered by our annual conference, which holds every month of July to further enhance your activities and partner with the league. We have done it for your competitor, we can do same and more for you, too. Ilorin should not continue to be a local champion, but its prowess should be shown to the entire globe”, Koiki emphasised.

He however, commended the school management for the prompt response to the enquiry of the league on the possibility of conducting the LAAC annual course at the college, adding that Its response is unprecedented, unlike a typical civil service.

According to him, “this shows the readiness and commitment of the school management to take up new challenges and opportunities. I want to enjoin the management to continue in this stated”.