The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the long-anticipated national air carrier will commence operations soon.
This pledge was made by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abubakar Kana, during a handover ceremony organized by the ministry.
Speaking at the event, Kana emphasized his commitment to establishing a national air carrier and revitalizing airports across the country. He noted that these initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation sector.
“We will fully support the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in actualizing Nigeria’s national carrier and upgrading airports to international standards,” Kana said. He further stressed the importance of private sector collaboration, stating, “Resources are scarce; we need to embrace the private sector to support Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
Kana, who previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, appealed to agencies within the ministry to rally behind President Tinubu’s vision for the aviation sector.
The outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s development. He highlighted the importance of continuity in the civil service, stating, “No man is perfect, but I have always wished to leave a place better than how I met it, and I believe I have done that.”
Meribole commended the leadership qualities of Minister Festus Keyamo and urged aviation stakeholders to remain resolute in their efforts to position Nigeria’s aviation sector as the best in Africa.
Other speakers at the event lauded Meribole’s contributions and expressed confidence in Kana’s ability to deliver on the sector’s goals. Dr. Udechukwu Osakwe, Director of Finance and Account, described Meribole as a champion of service delivery and competence. Mustapha Abdullahi, Registrar of the African Aviation Aerospace University (AAAU), praised Meribole’s integrity and respect for meritocracy.
Barrister Odugbesan, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Justice, described Kana as a “bureaucratic soldier” whose leadership style has driven significant progress in various ministries. He urged the aviation community to support Kana’s vision, emphasizing his talent development initiatives and dedication to staff welfare.
The ceremony concluded with the signing and handover of the ministry’s strategic documents, assets, and liabilities to Kana, symbolizing the formal transition of leadership.
This renewed promise of a national air carrier comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding Nigeria Air, highlighting the government’s resolve to deliver a transformative aviation sector for the nation.
