The 28th edition of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference will address growing Nigerian aviation challenges. The event takes place on Friday, 26th July at the Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, will lead the event. He will join Chief Executive Officers of government agencies, airline operators, and other stakeholders in brainstorming sessions.
Keyamo confirmed his participation and stated, “This aviation gathering lets me exchange ideas with operators, business owners, and others.”
Furthermore, he added, “Nigerian aviation challenges are not insurmountable. We need to come together, especially at the LAAC conference. It gives us the best chance to dissect challenges one by one and agree on steps to achieve our goals.”
Also, Secretary of the LAAC Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Albinus Chiedu explained that Mr. Keyamo will serve as the special Guest of Honour. Meanwhile, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe, the Chief Executive Officer of CITIGroup, will chair the proceedings.
Stakeholders described the theme of the conference, “Aviation Survivability Amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment,” as timely. The current state of Nigeria’s economy has amplified existing constraints to growth and development in aviation. Issues include poor access to forex, a weakening currency, high fuel costs, maintenance costs, poor airport infrastructure, regulatory constraints, growing manpower demands, technology upgrades, and passenger comfort.
Chiedu also noted that the Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Farouk, will deliver the keynote speech. Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, a Former Rector of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and Dr. Alex Nwuba, the Second Vice President of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), will also present papers on relevant topics.
Subsequently, a panel session will be moderated by Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, a former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Discussants will include Capt. Chris Najomo, Ag. Director General of Civil Aviation at the NCAA, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, and Dr. Wale Babalakin will attend.
Other dignitaries include Mr. Adejoju Olutimayin, Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria, and Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, Chairman of AGHAN.
