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For the first time in history, 152 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member states voted for Nigeria to secure Council seat in the Part II category at the ongoing 39th Assembly of the world aviation regulatory body.
This means that Nigeria will be a member of the Council for the next three years before another election.
Expressing his happiness on the elation, the minister of state (aviation) Hadi Sirika, said, “I feel great, I feel that Nigeria has taken its rightful place. We are being elected into Part II yet again. Nigeria has been in this council since 1962.
“We have been contributing our quota and aviation has taken the centre stage now in the world especially post 9/11. Security has come to centre stage without diminishing safety.”
Iyabo Sosina, secretary-general of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), congratulated Nigeria, urging the country to put effort in the development of aviation.
According to Bernard Aliu, ICAO’s president, “Each Member State is entitled to one vote on matters before the Assembly and decisions at these Sessions are taken by a majority of the votes cast – except where otherwise provided for in the Convention.”
Speaking further, Hadi Sirika said, “Nigeria has long ago endorsed the “No Country Left Behind” initiative of ICAO. Nigeria has been supporting aviation industry in the sub-region. We have Banjul Accord and BAGASSO domiciled in Nigeria and headquartered in Nigeria and being funded largely by Nigeria.”
