Stakeholders in the aviation industry would this Thursday, July 27, 2023 brainstorm on changing strategies to match global changing times at the 27th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
The conference to be held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja Government Reserved Area (G.R.A), Lagos is themed: ‘Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies,’ and expected to attract key stakeholders in the nation’s aviation industry who would dissect the country’s aviation industry, its present status, inhibiting factors and the way forward.
A joint statement signed by the Conference Committee, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, Mr. Chinedu Eze and Mr. Albinus Chiedu, explained that the theme was informed by the emerging changes in the approach to aviation business as regards technology, airline management and operations, financing and other aspects of the aviation industry.
According to the statement, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Doctor Emmanuel Merobole, is the Guest of Honour, while the Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Musa Nuhu, would present the keynote address.
It added that the Director-General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engineer Akin Olateru, as the lead speaker would present an all-inclusive paper on ‘Funding Manpower Development In Nigeria’s Aviation Industry In The 21st Century,’ while the Chief Executive Officer of TopBrass Aviation, Roland Iyayi, would deliver an all-interactive paper on ‘Enhancing Airlines Profitability In Africa.’
The statement revealed that already, a larger part of the aviation stakeholders have confirmed their participation physically and virtually.
The Chairman, SIFAX Group, Doctor Taiwo Afolabi, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Professor Mansur Matazu, Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Odunowo, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Muhammed, and the Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Captain Alkali Madibbo, have all confirmed their participation.
Others are the Group Managing Director, Finchglow Travels, Mr. Bernard Bankole, immediate past President, Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Dr. Gabriel Olowo, the Chairman, Air Peace Airlines, Barrister Allen Onyema, and the Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Doctor Obiora Okonkwo, and Acting Chief Operating Officer (COO), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Tosan Duncan, among others.
The conference would also feature a panel session headed by top-notch professionals who would speak on the theme, topics and presentations by stakeholders in the sector.
The statement added: “Also, over 250 industry professionals, cutting across the aviation sector, security agencies, international and domestic airlines operating in Nigeria, abroad, aviation support services, travel trade sellers and buyers in the country’s aviation industry are expected to participate in the conference.”
LAAC is Nigeria’s aviation media umbrella body, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring effective media coverage and practice in the aviation industry.
The LAAC annual conference has over the years made an unquantifiable impact on Nigeria’s aviation sector by throwing up policy, management and operational issues for public discussion.
This has resulted in tremendously significant evidential changes in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Aviation and allied business organisations have equally taken advantage of sponsorship opportunities presented by this event to sell their products and services. This 2023 edition presents yet another opportunity.
Also the General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Sam Adurogboye, would be given the award as the ‘Public Affairs Manager 2022, while Nimet would be honoured as the ‘Service Provider of the Year 2022,’ under the award segment of the Conference.