FAAN MD Marks One Year in Office, Receives Accolades from Stakeholders - By Daisy BARRO

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, recently marked her first year in office. Stakeholders in the aviation industry gathered to commend her outstanding achievements and leadership, which have transformed FAAN into a model of operational excellence.

During the ceremony, Director Special Duties, FAAN, Mr. Henry Agbebire, praised Mrs. Kuku's visionary leadership, highlighting her commitment to safety, security, and passenger facilitation. He emphasized that under her leadership, FAAN has witnessed significant achievements, including the recertification of major airports and improvements in staff development.

General Manager, Safety, Mr. John Okezie Ekpe, also commended the MD's efforts in prioritizing safety, citing the establishment of a safety culture, clear formal safety policy, and regulatory compliance as notable achievements. Other directors, including Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, and Director of AVSEC, Albert Afegbai, echoed these sentiments, praising Mrs. Kuku's giant strides in a short period.

In her remarks, the FAAN boss expressed gratitude to her team, stating that the success was a collective effort. "It's not just about the work we've done but the spirit with which we've done it. Together, we've faced challenges head-on and celebrated victories that have brought us closer as a team. I am truly grateful for the sacrifices you've made and the passion you've shown. It's your dedication that has made this year the most fulfilling of my career. Thank you for being the driving force behind our success," she said.

She also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, saying, "I want to give Mr. President and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development for their unwavering support that they have been given to FAAN. I want to thank our passengers for bearing with us this year."

Outlining her vision for the future, Kuku emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptation to changing industry needs, ensuring that the Authority remains a leader in the aviation sector: "Over the next few months, we should stand to see two things. One is the landside improvements and the other is airside improvements. For the airside, all the safety initiatives are ongoing, making sure we are returning our major airports to category two. In terms of actual landside and terminal equipment, we are working really around the automation and a lot of things that we have, making sure we are improving the passengers' experiences, upgrading our terminal in our secondary as well as our main airports," she explained.

The event also featured the presentation of the MD's awards to deserving FAAN staff and the launch of the Occupational Safety and Health Manual and Aerodrome General Safety Handbook.