By Adekunle Williams
The League of Aviation and Airports Correspondents (LAAC) has promised that its forthcoming annual conference would made unquantifiable impact on the Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Mr Albinus Chiedu, the Secretary, Planning Committee of the conference, made the pledge in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2022 LAAC conference is: ‘Sunset Airports: Economic & Safety Implications.
Chiedu explained that the conference would centre around solutions to the multiple challenges faced by stakeholders in terms of safety and economics as a result of operating sunset airports.
The conference secretary added that the conference which was slated for July 28 would throw up policies, management and operational issues for public discuss.
He said: “This year LAAC Annual Conference will make an unquantifiable impact on Nigeria’s aviation industry by throwing up policy, management and operational issues for public discuss.
“This will further result in tremendously significant evidential changes in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“Aviation and allied business organisations have equally taken advantage of sponsorship opportunities presented by the event to sell their products and services.
“As usual, there shall be both physical and virtual participation in this years’ conference to enable stakeholders from across the world, while an in-depth communiqué, covering all aspects of the conference would be well-represented.”
Chiedu said Dr Wale Babalakin, the Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr Allen Onyema and other aviation heads would constitute a panel of discussants during the conference.
The secretary said the conference had already received the approvals of Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation and other critical stakeholders, which cut across the airline and ground handling sub-sectors.
Chiedu noted that the panelists expected were Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA), Mr Lawrence Pwajok, the Ag. Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
“Others panelists are Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Akin Olateru, the Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau – Nigeria (AIB-N) and Capt. Roland Iyayi, CEO, Topbrass Aviation Limited, among others.
“Mr Tunji Oketunbi, the AIB’s General Manager, Public Affairs will moderate the first panel, while Mr Olumide Ohunayo, Director, Research, Zenith Travels will moderate the second panel.
“This year’s conference, which has Sirika as the Special Guest of Honour is to be chaired by Mr. Bernard Bankole, the President, Association of Aviation Training Organisations (AATOs).”
Chuedu said the conference was expected to attract over 250 aviation industry professionals, cutting across the aviation agencies, security agencies.
He added that others were the international and domestic airlines operating in the country, aviation support services, travel trade sellers and buyers and other stakeholders.