The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Thursday commended a four-in-one book that x-rayed the history of Nigeria Airways and aviation development.
Keyamo made the commendation in Lagos at the unveiling of Wings Support Family Foundation (WSFF) and public presentation of the book, “Aviation and Aerospace Development in Nigeria, All You Need to Know”.
The book was written by Mr Francis Adegoke.
The minister was represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Obiageli Orah.
He said that the book revealed the selfless contributions of pioneer aviators, specifically staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways, to the growth of the economy.
“They have truly been a blessing to the aviation sector of the nation’s economy.
“From the title of the book, you will agree with me that it will be a reference material and very valuable working instrument for all of us in the industry.
“One of the most important crops of people in this dynamic industry is the ever-vibrant retired professionals from whose wealth of knowledge we draw important guides.
“We are currently standing on a very solid foundation you all built as we advance and switch the frontiers of the aviation business in Nigeria to greater heights,” he said.
According to Keyamo, Nigeria’s industry has evolved overtime.
“Our duty is to continue to put the right policies in place to attract investors to the sector, and this we are doing progressively under President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
The WSFF’s Chairman of Board of Trustees, Capt. Jonathan Ibrahim, said that the book would be distributed to schools since it gave an insight into the history of aviation and Nigeria Airways.
“The whole story of how the industry started in the world is in the book and how it started in Nigeria.
“We spoke about them for the younger generation to know what aviation is all about at their level and for anybody interested in aviation.
“We are going to print as many copies of the book as possible and give to all secondary schools in Nigeria, if possible.
“The ministry has given us N25 million, and other people have contributed, so we shall continue to print and revise the book for every Nigerian to read about the industry,” he said.
Ibrahim, who also served as a Managing Director of the liquidated airline, also called on the Federal Government to look into Nigeria Airways staff settlement and entitlements.
According to him, after 10 years, former President Mohammadu Buhari paid N45 billion out of N78 billion owed the former staff.
The author of the book, Mr Francis Adegoke, popularly referred to as 001, said that the 283-page book had contributions from astute aviators.
Adegoke said that the book revealed a lot of what the airline stood for.
The Chairman of the event, Chief Anslem Mohammed, said that the system was unfair to the staff of Nigeria Airways.
Mohammed said: “Government should start listening to the plight of the retired workers of the airline and pay up what is due to them. The book is likely to reveal a lot.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WSFF aims to provide healthcare services to the vulnerable and needy in the aviation industry as well financial assistance to needy widows and widowers in the industry.
It is also determined to provide scholarships to financially-indigent and physically-challenged students in tertiary institutions, as well as collaborate with aviation agencies to support growth.
NAN also reports that awards and medals were given to a total of 35 prominent aviators and industry enthusiasts at the event, which Wakanow partnered in. (NAN).
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