Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry are getting set for the 27th edition of the annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) holding onThursday, July 27, 2023 at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
A statement jointly signed by Messrs Chinedu Eze and Albinus Chiedu, chairman and secretary, conference committee, respectively said the event would be held under the theme‘Aviation industry: Changing times, changing strategies.’
“This year’s conference is 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,” they said.
Paper presenters are the director-general, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB); Mr Akin Olateru, who would speak on ‘Funding manpower development in Nigeria’s aviation industry in the 21st century,’ while the chief executive officer of TopBrass Aviation, Mr Roland Iyayi, is expected to present a paper on ‘Enhancing airlines profitability In Africa.’
The conference will also feature a panel session headed by top-notch professionals who would speak on the theme, topics and presentations by stakeholders in the sector.
Eze and Chiedu also stated that a galaxy of aviation stakeholders had confirmed their participation at the annual gathering.
According to them, the permanent secretary, ministry of aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole would be the guest of honour while the chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, director general, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Matazu, managing director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Odunowo, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Muhammed, and rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Capt. Alkali Madibbo, have confirmed their attendance.
Others are the group managing director, Finchglow Travels, Mr. Bernard Bankole, erstwhile president, Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Dr. Gabriel Olowo, chairman, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, acting chief operating officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), and Tosan Duncan, among others.
Eze and Chiedu further explained that the theme of the conference was informed by the emerging changes in the approach to aviation business as regard technology, airline management and operations, financing and other aspects of the aviation industry.
“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,” the statement added.
The statement also said the spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye would be conferred with the award of the ‘Public Affairs Manager of Year 2022, while NiMet would be honoured as the ‘Service Provider of Year 2022.’
LAAC is Nigeria’s aviation media umbrella body, reporting the aviation the aviation industry.
Its 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.
Aviation and allied business organisations have equally taken advantage of sponsorship opportunities presented by the event to sell their products and services.
“The 2023 edition presents yet another opportunity,” Eze and Chiedu said.
