The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has successfully trained and graduated 381 aviation security personnel (ACSEC) on the STP 123 Basic course in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP).
Speaking at the passing out parade of the cadets which took place at the Digital Bridge Institute, Kano at the weekend, the minister of aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, said training in the aviation industry is essential in the actualisation of a safe and secure aviation industry, describing the exercise as a “pride to our nation.”
He also the training “is a noble feat in our resolve to further strengthen our position in the combat against global terrorism bearing in mind the emerging challenges confronting the aviation industry in Nigeria and globally.”
With the training, Sirika said FAAN had taken the right step in the right direction in the fight against terrorism and in a bid to ensuring that the mandate that Civil Aviation shall operate from a safe and secure environment is sustained.
“It is quite reassuring that the federal government has taken the right step in the right direction as trainees had to undergo the intensive training which is a prerequisite to becoming an aviation security officer as stipulated in Annex 17 ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
“It is worthy of note that intensive preparatory work by the training faculty was done through commitment by management to actualise this training. This level of commitment is evident before us in the successful completion of this training. Once again, accept my gratitude,” he added.
He urged the cadets to commit themselves to duty and work within the precepts of the training.
“I am certain that you have all received the best training and are well equipped with the morals and most noble values that are expected from the training of this calibre.
“This training that you have received is expected to commit you to the level of dedication that is expected in ensuring that the nation of Nigeria will not only be proud but also reap the benefits of this well-organised training.
“In acceptance to be trained as an aviation security cadet, you must realise that it is a privilege to serve your country at this level as the aviation industry is one place where adherence and commitment to rules and standards are applied strictly to the letter,” he said.
The minister expressed gratitude to Digital Bridge Institute for facilitating the training and providing the enabling environment for the three-month course.
“This is indeed a show of patriotism, commitment and collaboration in promoting the national security of our great nation Nigeria,” he added.
In his speech, the managing director and chief executive of FAAN, Capt Rabiu Yadudu, noted that the “crucial role of training as critically reshaping and repositioning the human mind and enabling the skills capacity of personnel towards the attainment of organisational goals can never really be underestimated.”
Yadudu said the programme could not have come at a better time than this period when Nigeria is battling myriads of security threats such as terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, among others.
“The training has no doubt enhanced their counter-terrorism skills, conflict management skills, effective communication, information security and effective synergy with sister security agencies in ensuring a safe and secure environment which is one of the aviation security principles,” he said.
The managing director commended the internal and external facilitators and the entire training faculty who “transformed, tutored and nurtured these cadets to the end point” within a 13-week period.
He was optimistic that crop of graduating cadets “has been put through the mill and has come out refined and ready to contribute their quota in safe guarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference.”
He implored the recruits to immediately begin to apply all that they learnt during the training in the course of their work.
Yadudu stated that “with commitment, focus and patriotic zeal, we will definitely reshape the course of aviation security and safety at our respective airports.”
