NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage 
INTERNATIONAL Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO) has handed a Certificate of a Recognition to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) designating its training school an ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre ( ASTC).
This is just as the airports manager has signed a memorandum of understanding with the British government on Aviation Security and Training as part of efforts to deepen security training and entrenching professionalism.
The inauguration is coming today coinciding with the world International Civil Aviation Day, with the authority training Centre poised to contribute to development of manpower in the West and Central African region to complement the ICAO global security network.
The event graced by ICAO Regional Director West and Central Africa, Mam Sait Jallow, United Nations Counter terrorism trainer, Emma Watson, Kenan Wood from the British High Commission as well as the Permanent a Secretary Ministry of Aviation, Saibu Zakari, FAAN MD, Saleh Dunoma; DG NCAA, Captain Usman Muhtar among others.
The feat to attain the designation of FAAN AVSEC Training School as ICAO ASTC was complete under 24 months.
Speaking on the attainment, Managing Director FAAN, Engineer Saleh Dunoma said the training Centre will provide capacity enough for training Nigerians and neighboring countries.
The FAAN boss stated that the agency has the opportunity to handle all aviation security training in West Africa and the world over.
On the regulation side, Director General of the NCAA, Captain Usman Mukhtar confirmed the 24 month duration for the completion of the the training schools certification.
He also said that the country as a whole has adequate instructors for ICAO to utilize in training.
Muhtar said, “FAAN had requested for the designation of FAAN AVSEC Training School as ICAO ASTC on the 8th June, 2017 after which an evaluation was conducted in May 2018 by the Regional Security officer for the Western and Central office (WACAG) and under 24 months the request was granted.”
On the availability of manpower training,”I wish to inform ICAO that presently in Nigeria, there are five certified ICAO AVSEC instructors and over 60 qualified national AVSEC instructors that can be of service at the ASTC.”
“It is hoped that the designation will attract patronage from airport communities of wa sub region and its environs thereby contributing to the improvement of aviation security training in the region and elsewhere,” he said.
ICAO Regional Director, Mr. Mam Sait Jallow said with the recognition of Nigeria’s ASTC, the network of aviation security training centers (ASTC) has increased substantially and is widely distributed in all ICAO regions to provide aviation security training.
” With the recognition of the ASTC of Nigeria, the network of aviation security trading centres (ASTC) now includes 35 centers widely distributed in all ICAO regions, to provide aviation security training at the international (ICAO ), regional and national levels to all categories of personnel involved or responsible for implementation of security measures, policies and procedures in accordance with its strategic objectives to improve the level of implementation of Annex 17 Standards.”
On maintaining the certificate he said, ” the certificate of recognition issued by ICAO to the ASTC of Nigeria means that it has been duly demonstrated that the Centre meets the general and specific requirements in this respect, and that is able to continue to meet such requirement during the period of validity of the certificate of recognition.”
