President of the Senate , David Mark has tasked the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah and other stakeholders in the sector to rise up to the challenges in the industry to meet the international standard Of operation.
Receiving the Minister and the newly elected Nigerian born Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliyu as President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in his office in Abuja he noted the challenges facing the Nigerian Aviation sector but pointed out that they are surmountable .
Mark stressed that professionalism must be brought to bear in order to address the turbulence in the sector and make our Aviation industry safe and secured.
According to Mark: ” Aviation Industry in Nigeria must meet international standard . You cannot lead such a global body if your own house is not good enough. The current turbulence in the Aviation industry should not be a permanent feature. It should be resolved as quickly as possible so that we can guarantee safety in the industry.
“In other climes, they also have challenges, mechanical or otherwise, but they have the capability and capacity to resolve them quickly. This is how it should be and not waiting for months or years to resolve them.”
Mark specifically charged Aliyu to demonstrate leadership and represent Nigeria creditably because whatever “you do positively or negatively would ultimately affect the nation.”
In the discharge of your duties he told Aliyu ” you must not let us down. You must be honest, fearless and courageous. You must sell Nigeria to the outside word . You must improve upon the standard of operation.”
Aliyu, a Nigerian was elected president of ICAO by the unanimous vote of 36 member states of the council on November 18, 2013 at the 38th General Assembly of the organization in Montreal, Canada. Aliyu is the first African to head the 69 year old organisation.
ICAO is the global body that regulates civil Aviation.
Earlier, the Aviation Minister Oduah, briefed the Senate President on the journey to the election of Aliyu to the world body saying that all other contestants to the sit stepped down for the Nigerian candidate on account of his rich credentials.
Oduah added that Aliyu’s election is a manifestation of new innovations and transformation in the Aviation sector.
