The Federal Government (FG) has reaffirmed its commitment to launching a national air carrier soon.
This assurance was given by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abubakar Kana, during a formal handover ceremony at the ministry.
Kana emphasised his dedication to establishing the long-awaited national air carrier and revamping airports across the country.
He noted that his mandate aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation sector.
According to Kana, achieving these goals will require strategic partnerships with the private sector due to limited resources.
He pledged full support to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in actualizing the national carrier project and upgrading Nigerian airports to meet international standards.
Kana urged ministry agencies to rally behind President Tinubu’s agenda, emphasizing his belief in innovation and teamwork.
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However, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Meribole, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation and contribute to the aviation sector’s growth.
He assured stakeholders that the ministry’s progress would continue seamlessly, even after his exit.
During their farewell remarks, key officials praised Meribole for his dedication to service delivery, competence, and integrity.
The Director of Finance and Accounts, Udechukwu Osakwe, described Meribole as a champion of efficiency, while Mustapha Abdullahi, Registrar of the African Aviation Aerospace University (AAAU), highlighted his commitment to meritocracy.
Odugbesan, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Justice, lauded Kana as a transformative leader, citing his achievements in the Ministry of Defence and other government ministries.
He urged the aviation sector to support Kana, whom he described as a talent developer passionate about staff welfare.
The event ended with the symbolic handover of strategic documents, assets, and liabilities to Kana.
