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Former President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Engr. Isaac Balami, has congratulated Captain Bunmi Gindeh on his emergence as the new NAAPE president, urging the new leadership to promote professionalism and focus on advancing pilots’ and engineers’ welfare.
Balami made this known in a congratulatory message, describing Captain Gindeh as a capable leader with the experience and discipline to unite members and drive the association forward.
Captain Gindeh, who serves with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), won the keenly contested election held on Friday, September 27, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He polled 51 votes to defeat Francis Igwe, an aircraft engineer with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who garnered 17 votes.
In his message, Engr. Balami, who is also the CEO of 7Star Global Hangar Ltd, expressed confidence that Gindeh’s administration would strengthen the association’s internal structure, foster unity, and uphold professionalism across Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“Captain Bunmi Gindeh is a thorough professional who has paid his dues in aviation,” Balami said. “I believe he will take NAAPE to greater heights, and he has my full support as he begins this important assignment.”
Balami encouraged the new executives to maintain NAAPE’s founding principles of integrity, technical excellence, and service to the aviation community. He emphasized that professionalism remains central to the association’s credibility and long-term growth.
He also advised the new leadership to expand partnerships with regional and international aviation organizations to enhance training opportunities and ensure Nigerian pilots and engineers benefit from global best practices.
According to him, professionalism should guide every decision, ensuring the association remains a benchmark for competence and ethics in the aviation sector.
Meanwhile, the election produced Mudi Muhammad, an aircraft engineer at Arik Air, as Deputy National President unopposed, while Adewale Adenugba retained his position as First Trustee. Other elected officials include Edwin Udoh as Financial Secretary, Blessing Ahmadu as Publicity Secretary, and Michael Nicholas as Second Trustee.
In his acceptance speech, Captain Gindeh praised the outgoing administration led by Abednego Galadima for notable achievements, particularly the establishment of a NAAPE training institute. He assured members of his commitment to improving welfare, standardising employment contracts across the aviation industry, and enhancing the association’s advocacy for safety and operational standards.
“The goal,” Gindeh stated, “is to reposition NAAPE as a professional body that advances the interests of pilots and engineers while contributing to the overall growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
With renewed focus and cooperation between members, NAAPE’s new leadership aims to reinforce its role as a voice for aviation professionals and a pillar of professionalism within the sector.
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