By Elizabeth ADENUGA
Capt. Muhtar Usman, the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), says the media is critical to the growth of aviation globally and must continue to sustain its watchdog role.
Usman said this on Monday at the opening of “2019 Training of League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC)’’ at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State.
Usman, represented by the Deputy General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Joe Jimoh said the agency considered the exercise as a key component of aviation development in Nigeria.
“Training is vital to our operations as a regulatory authority. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requires all civil aviation authorities in the world to have requisite professionals in sufficient number.
“Therefore, our members of staff are exposed to relevant trainings all over the world. This is to ensure the authority provides a robust regulation for the aviation industry.
“It is against this background that the NCAA has continually endeavoured to extend similar trainings to the media over the years.
“You will agree with me that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation,’’ he added.
According to him, the media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, has continued to wield significant social influence through its watchdog role.
“It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry.
“With credible reports and in-depth analysis founded on good critique of the industry, this will motivate the regulatory authority and indeed all other stakeholders to provide pillars of growth for the sector.’’
To this end, he said the NCAA would soon institute an award to further motivate journalists in the sector in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Also speaking, the Rector of NCAT, Capt. Mohammed Abdulsalam said the course was very important for journalists on the aviation beat.
Abdulsalam stressed the need for journalists to be well informed in order to accurately cover the industry, which according to him, is highly technical.
In his remarks, Mr Olusegun Koiki, Chairman, LAAC, thanked the various aviation agencies for supporting the training.
“It is pertinent to note that the volume of knowledge gathered from the trainings has significantly helped us as aviation media professionals.
“It has helped us to disseminate aviation information more professionally amid technological advancements in application of safety, security, economics and regulation of the sector,’’ Koiki said. — NAN
