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By Emmanuel Adeleke
In line with his determination to bring world class standards to Nigerian civil aviation in consumer protection and the promotion of the wellbeing of Nigerian passengers and other sectoral stakeholders, President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of six Chief Executive Officers under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
A statement issued by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday, said Tinubu has also approved their replacements.
According to the statement, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed was replaced by Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of FAAN.
Also the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo was replaced by Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk as the substantive Managing Director.
Mr. Alex Badeh Jr replaced Engr. Akinola Olateru as the the substantive Director-General of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
While at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Director-General, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu was replaced by Prof. Charles Anosike as the substantive Director-General.
The Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo was replaced by Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe as the Acting Rector, pending the appointment of a substantive Rector, in accordance with Section 13(2) of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu has also been suspended from office to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct an unfettered investigation into the activities of the suspended Director-General and other senior officials in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. Capt. Chris Najomo assumes office as the Acting Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority immediately.
The President also approved the commencement of a diligent process to be conducted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to recruit a substantive Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU).
“The president anticipates that the new leadership across this critical sector will uphold the safety, convenience, and comfort of the Nigerian people as primary and sacrosanct in all of their administrative activities. Due to the high cost of underperformance in the sector, the President demands the immediate establishment of world-class policy design, implementation, and regulatory frameworks to reposition the sector in alignment with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“All of the above-mentioned directives of the President take immediate effect,” the statement added.