By Matthew Denis
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Ilorin International Airport organised its end of 2018 ceremony and gave out awards to some staff in recognition of their outstanding performances, last Thursday.
Also awarded were retired staff of the agency at the well attended ceremony held at the Pilgrims Screening Point of the airport.
The ceremony was kicked started with parade by security wing of FAAN -Aviation Security (AvSec) in honour of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the airport, Mr. Aderemi Amoo who was pulling out of service after attaining the compulsory retirement age.
The event which attracted dignitaries from all segments of the society, is the first of its kind since the airport came to being about four decades ago.
Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Culture and , Dr. Mrs Sus’ade Aminat Ahmed lauded effort of the airport management at sustaining standard operations.
She said:”I want to laud your relentless efforts in keeping to the high standard of operations since the existence of this airport about 40 years ago. The state government acknowledged your efforts and encourages you keep it up for the growth of state and nation at large. “
The commissioner assured that the state government will continue to support the airport towards making Ilorin aviation hub in the nearest future.
In his remarks, the Airport Manager, Alhaji Ibrahim Azeez who bagged the ‘Most Performing Airport Manager Award, appreciated the FAAN management for the recognition.
He promised to replicate the gesture through hard work aimed at transforming the airport so as to be able to compete favourably with other airports across the continent.
He, however, called on the various Heads of Departments and other staff who bagged meritorious awards to double their efforts for effective operations in the airport.
Azeez also acknowledged support of other stakeholders such as the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the security agencies comprising of police, Airforce among others.
He said,” We cannot operate without your technical support. We appreciate you and will continue to work together with you for the safety of passengers and the airport environs. “
The outgoing CSO in his remarks, thanked God for seeing him through his 33years of service.
The security expert stressed that the security of an institute or a country is an inclusive and collective business for everyone.
He said: “My advise for the security personnel is to carry along all others departments including the civil society for information gathering.
Amoo while appreciating FAAN for the opportunity to serve in the capacity of CSO, he called on the management to be directly involved in the infrastructural development of the airport most especially at the terminal building.
He said ” If the terminal building of any airport is wrongly located it will be a setback for the security outfit of the airport therefore FAAN must be critical about this aspect.”
However, an ex- airport manager, Alhaji Usman Saka bagged the ‘Indigenous Airport Manager award; the ‘Most Creative Head of Department’ award was bestowed on the Head of Corporate Affairs department, Mr Adeyeoluwa Oluwakayode while Mr. Sunday Adepoju bagged the most friendly airport staff award, among others.
In all, 18 plaques were given out to retirees and HODs while 59 certificates were awarded to both junior and senior serving staff for excellent performance.
