Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Representative at ICAO Council, Engr Mahmud Sani Ben-Tukur, Special Assistant to the Minister, Maryam Ismail with the ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar (all in no partucular order) at thejust-concluded ICAN event in Bogota, Colombia
Nigeria accepts to host 2022 ICAO Air Services Negotiation
Nigeria has accepted to host the 2022 edition of the International Civil Aviation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation meeting.
Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Representative at ICAO Council, Engr Mahmud Sani Ben-Tukur, Special Assistant to the Minister, Maryam Ismail with the ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar (all in no partucular order) at thejust-concluded ICAN event in Bogota, Colombia
According to a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. James Odaudu, the decision by Nigeria to host the event followed its consideration as a good candidate at this year event in Bogota, Colombia.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika in 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, the Minister said. “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”.
Sirika said civil aviation is in a difficult circumstance because of the global pandemic (COVID 19) facing the world, but as the tradition by civil aviation, it has always survived it, citing Spanish fluid, 9/11 and many other pandemics.
ICAO Air Negotiation (ICAN) events provide states with a central meeting place to conduct multiple and bilateral (regional and plurilateral) 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 ICAN 2022 also underscores Nigeria’s rising profile within the aviation world.
He said the hosting of ICAN by the country, is coming after it hosted the IWAF/3 and the ICAO Symposium on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
This, he said is a clear indication of the organisation’s confidence in Nigeria’s aviation management and also an endorsement by the world body of its reform programmes for the sector.
The Minister 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.
