Nigeria receives ICAO award for improving aviation security

Nigeria has received the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) council president’s certificate award in recognition of its progress in solving aviation security and oversight deficiencies.

According to a statement issued by James Odaudu, the ministry’s director of press and public affairs, the award was presented to Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, during the opening ceremony of ICAO’s 40th triennial assembly in Montreal, Canada.

Nigeria was one of the 16 countries that received the award out of ICAO’s 193-member countries.

Presenting the award, Olumuyiwa Aliu, the president of ICAO Council, said the certificate was in recognition of the contributions of deserving member-states to the marked improvement in global aviation safety and security.

It further quoted Aliu as saying that Nigeria received the certificate based on its commitment to the effective implementation of ICAO standards and recommended practices.

Aliu said that the efforts of the Nigerian government in transforming the aviation sector had continued to receive recognition at the world stage.

He said that the feat would spur other nations to step up their own efforts in promoting the security and safety of their respective air spaces, which would ultimately translate to better global aviation security standards.

Reacting to the award, Sirika expressed delight over the achievements recorded by Nigeria in the area of aviation security and oversight deficiencies to deserve the recognition by world aviation-governing body.

He attributed the achievements to the unwavering commitment and support of President Muhammadu Buhari to the transformation of the country’s aviation industry.

The minister added that the government’s focus on safety and security since its inception had started yielding the desired results.

Sirika commended the ICAO council for monitoring and giving recognition to developments in member-states.

He promised that Nigeria would remain committed to the ideals and objectives of the organisation.