By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Government will host ICAO Air Services Negotiation in 2022, following its consideration as a good candidate at this year event in Bogota, Colombia.
Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika accepting the offer said “I will like to personally send the greeting of Mr President Muhammad Buhari to you all and especially the Government and people of Colombia.
“On behalf of our nation Nigeria, it is more than an honour that we are considered as a good candidate that will host ICAN 2022.
“We accept this offer and I can assure you that you will have a very good time to see the culture, history, traditions, people and places in Nigeria just like you did during ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) and the ICAO Workshop on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) sometimes ago in Nigeria”.
Commending ICAO on the events, he added that “imagine travelling to 70 or more countries negotiating air services agreements and concluding on certain agreements. It is a very noble idea by ICAO to have a one-stop-shop for all of us to sit here and share common visions, negotiate, and of course, arrive at mutual agreements and understanding for effective management of civil aviation around the world”.
A statement made available by Dr James Odaudu, Director, Public Affairs in the Ministry of Aviation, said Sirika noted that civil aviation is in a difficult circumstance because of the covid-19 pandemic facing the world, but as the tradition by civil aviation, it has always survived.
The ICAO Air Negotiation event provides states with a central meeting place to conduct multiple and bilateral air services negotiations or consultations.
It offers a forum for the participants to learn about current trends, discuss and exchange experiences, as well as provide excellent networking opportunities.
According to Sirika, the proposed hosting of ICAO 2022 also underscores Nigeria’s rising profile within the aviation world.
He said the hosting of ICAO by the country, coming after it hosted the IWAF/3 and the ICAO Symposium on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), is a clear indication of the Organisation’s confidence in Nigeria’s aviation management, and an endorsement by the world body of its reform programmes for the sector.
He reiterated that the confidence shown by ICAO would further push the commitment of government to the full and successful implementation of its roadmap to reposition the sector.
