Fadairo carpets Senator Kalu over pilots’ Indian hemp allegation

• Says comment injurious to aviation sector

Aviation journalist and publisher of Arrival Magazine, Adeola Fadairo, has criticised the former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, alleging that some Nigerian pilots smoke Indian hemp and are unfit to fly, describing the allegation as not only reckless and ill-considered but also gravely damaging.

Fadairo, in a statement made available to Aviation Metric, stated that for a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make such a sweeping allegation on the floor of the National Assembly, without a shred of verifiable data, empirical research, or regulatory validation, is both irresponsible and injurious to the image of the Nigerian aviation sector.

He noted that Nigerian pilots are among the most disciplined, rigorously trained, and internationally certified professionals, adding that they operate under strict medical, psychological, and performance standards monitored by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in accordance with ICAO and Nig.CARs regulations.

To describe such individuals as “drug users”, he said, is an unprovoked attack on their integrity and professionalism, saying that expertise and dedication keep millions of passengers safe every year.

His words, “Senator Kalu’s careless comments carry consequences far beyond rhetoric. They risk eroding passengers’ confidence in the safety of Nigerian carriers and undermining the credibility of our domestic operators before global partners, insurers, and financiers.”

“Aviation thrives on public trust and perception. Statements of this nature could artificially inflate insurance premiums, trigger international safety concerns, and jeopardise investments in a sector already navigating tight operational margins.”

Fadairo further stated that the Senator’s assertion that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has failed in its oversight responsibilities is both false and unfair, just as he defended the aviation regulatory body for  “Consistently maintaining Nigeria’s FAA Category 1 safety rating, conducting routine medical assessments, on-the-spot drug tests, and continuous monitoring of all licensed flight crew in the country. These are verifiable, audited processes that reflect regulatory diligence—not negligence.”

He urged elected officials to recognise the power and weight of their words, especially on the floor of the Senate.

To him, aviation is a globally monitored industry—one of Nigeria’s few sectors that consistently meet international standards despite infrastructural challenges.

“To malign it casually, without facts or context, is to sabotage national credibility and devalue the hard work of thousands of Nigerians committed to maintaining flight safety and operational excellence.”

He challenged Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to make public credible evidence regarding pilot misconduct or regulatory failure and submit such information to the appropriate authorities—not to broadcast unverified allegations capable of damaging public confidence, investment, and national reputation.

“Nigeria’s aviation professionals deserve respect, not ridicule. They deserve recognition, not reckless condemnation. Above all, they deserve truth, not political grandstanding”, he added.

Wole Shadare