Media is critical to the growth of global aviation- Capt Musa Shuaibu Nuhu

L-R: Lulu Vongtau, AGM, Air Transport, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, representing Captain Musa Nuhu, DG, NCAA; Mr Imoh Effiong Ekoh, Ag Registrar, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology NCAT, Zaria; Mr Joseph Imalighwe, Deputy Rector, NCAT; Mr Segun Koiki, Chairman, League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC, Dr Kareem Bakare, Head, Aviation Management School, NCAT, at the opening ceremony of LAAC 2022 Course, on Monday

The role of aviation media has been described as very critical to the growth of global aviation while in Nigeria,, the League of Aviation and Airport Correspondents, LAAC, has been said to deserve a share in the eight years of accident free success recorded in the Nigerian air space.

The number one personality in the regulation of aviation operations in Nigeria, Capt Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, made the declaration at the opening ceremony of the training for members of the League of Aviation And Airport Correspondent, LAAC, at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, Kaduna state, on Monday

Capt Musa S. Nuhu who spoke through his representative, Mr Lulu Vongtau, AGM, Air Transport, enthused that, “the media, particularly LAAC has provided platform which has helped in projecting activities and laudable achievements of NCAA to the public vis-à-vis our oversight functions. Your day-to-day reportage has shown that most of you have a deep knowledge of aviation and its goings-on.

Speaking about the premium placed on NCAA’s staff capacity development he said, “as a matter of fact, continuous human capacity development is one of my administration core values. For us at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), we consider training (including initial, on-the-job and recurrent training) as a key component of aviation development in Nigeria”.

He said further that, “in actual fact, training and retraining is a capital project for us as it is critical to our operations as the country’s apex regulatory authority for civil aviation in Nigeria. Our personnel are exposed to appropriate trainings all over the world so as to maintain and enhance their competence.

The DG announced that the regulatory authority, NCAA, is fully prepared “for International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP), which is the Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) slated for the first quarter of 2022.

Hence he enjoined the aviation journalists to be mindful of their reports as no report on aviation issues is viewed with levity and as such all facts about all issues need be cross-check before publishing.

Captain Nuhu opined that, “From now on, all your reports are very sensitive. Let us eschew sensationalism capable of putting the nation in bad light. Therefore, I will advise anyone to endeavour to verify and confirm his/her stories before publishing, if in doubt. It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry”, he said.

Nuhu added that, “there is no doubt that there is increased confidence in the sector as new airlines are coming in and existing operators are expanding their routes”.

He however revealed that the regulatory authority had correspondingly increased its capacity to effectively discharged its “surveillance program and other oversight responsibilities”.

The NCAA helmsman “acknowledge the firm support of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika for getting our backs in strengthening our oversight responsibilities. The National Assembly committees on aviation are not left out in this regard”, he said.

He also commended the entire staff and management team of NCAT led by its rector, Capt. Moddibo Alkali Mahmud for the good job of ensuring NCAT retains its high standard as the Regional Training Centre of Excellence.

Earlier, the Chairman, League of Aviation And Airport Correspondent, LAAC, Mr Olusegun Koiki, expressed gratitude to the aviation agencies that facilitated the training.

He assured that members of LAAC, will continue to uphold the ethics of their profession and eschew sensationalism but will report nothing but the fact.

Koiki said the education of the general public especially the consumers of aviation services will be intensified by members of LAAC in their reportage so as to breed informed passengers and more responsive service providers.