Buhari urges full SAATM implementation, congrates Funkle Adeyemi as new AFCAC Sec-Gen

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Adefunke Adeyemi on her election as the new Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the African Union (AU) agency responsible for civil aviation in Africa.

The President reiterates Nigeria’s commitment to promoting a prosperous and integrated Africa through the activities of organisations such as AFCAC.

The Nigerian leader trusts that the newly appointed Secretary-General will advance the common objective of the association with the support of the Bureau, Secretariat, AFCAC member States, international organizations, States Partners, and all aviation and affiliated stakeholders.

As Nigeria is a signatory to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), President Buhari urges the Commission to remain resolute in the implementation of the full liberalisation of air transport services, with the attendant benefits: increased air service levels and lower fares, facilitate tourism, trade, and investment as well as enhance productivity, economic growth, and employment.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina said the President wishes the Nigerian-born Secretary-General all the best in her new assignment.

Adeyemi’s election as the new Secretary General of AFCAC was announced at the 34th AFCAC Plenary in Dakar, Senegal.

The new AFCAC Secretary-General takes over from the former Secretary General, Mr. Tefera Mekonnen TEFERRA whose tenure ended in January 2022, following which Ms. Angeline Simana steered AFCAC as Interim Secretary General.

Adeyemi remarked shortly after her election that her objective is to build on the progress already made by previous Secretaries General and teams of AFCAC to see a new dawn for change through positive action for AFCAC and African aviation.

“The vision for African aviation is to enable a fully connected, prosperous, and united Africa. We have made so much progress and we must stay the course and build on the current momentum to strengthen existing partnerships and create new mutually beneficial relationships. We are stronger together and I am fully committed to collaboration, multilateralism, and fostering cooperation with all States, partners, and relevant stakeholders to move African aviation forward.”

Wole Shadare