Agencies in the ministry of aviation and aerospace development are set to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The director general civil aviation, Capt Musa Nuhu disclosed this in Abuja yesterday when he led the other aviation agency chiefs on a courtesy visit to the chief of air staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar at the NAF headquarters.
Nuhu said agreement which is christened ‘Civil-Military Memorandum of Cooperation’ is meant to further enhance security and safety in Nigeria’s civil aviation industry.
He said the memorandum would formalise, deepen, and strengthen the existing relationship between the two organisations.
Prior to the visit, Nuhu said there had been series of collaborations between civil aviation and the military in the country and appealed to Abubakar to uphold the tradition.
He emphasised that when the pact is eventually signed, it would become a landmark development between the civil aviation and the Nigerian air force.
“We are here today in preparatory to signing of the Civil – Military Memorandum of Cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). It is pertinent for us to work together for the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
“The continuous safety and security of the industry and the country’s airspace is very pertinent for the economic growth of Nigeria. Also, it will enable the country to retain its Category One Status. We need to keep working together as one.”
Responding, Abubakar promised that his office would continue to work with civil aviation authorities in the country.
He said signing of the memorandum of was long overdue, reiterating that it would formalise the existing areas of cooperation.
Apart from the memorandum, several other areas of cooperation at the highest level were discussed during the meeting.
Key staff officers of Nigerian Air force also participated in the meeting.
The highlight of the visit was the exchange of gifts between the two groups.
The other aviation agency chief executives on the entourage were the managing director Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Odunowo, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Kabir Mohammed as well as directors and top management staff of the three agencies.
