Nigeria elected into Council of International Civil Aviation

The 39th Assembly of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has elected Nigeria into its council for the next three years.

Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement said that Nigeria’s election was endorsed by 152 member countries to secure the seat in the Part II category of the world aviation regulatory body.

It said the height was a direct result of the shuttle diplomacy by the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.

It said that this marked the country’s entry into the council for the first time in history.

Sirika in his reaction to the election expressed his gratitude to the ICAO Assembly for their support, saying that Nigeria had taken its rightful place.

He appreciated African and other countries that voted Nigeria into the council as well as President Muhammadu Buhari for his approval and necessary support that led to the country’s success.

According to Sirika, Nigeria has long ago endorsed the `No Country Left Behind’ initiative of ICAO and had been supporting aviation industry in the sub-region.

“We have Banjul Accord and BAGASSO domiciled in Nigeria and headquartered in Nigeria and being funded largely by Nigeria.

“Nigeria will continue to play the key role in leading aviation in the West and Central Africa.”

“Nigeria has been in this organization since 1962 and have been contributing it quota adding that aviation has taken a center stage in the world,” he said.

The statement said that the ICAO President, Dr. Bernard Aliu visited Nigeria office at the ICAO headquarters to congratulate Sirika, the Permanent Secretary and aviation chief executives present after the election.

It said that Ms Iyabo Sosina, Secretary-General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) also congratulated Nigeria and praised it for developments in the nation’s aviation sector.

“She also urged the country to put effort towards attaining the desired standards,” it said.

(culled from www.africancargonews.com)