Re: “Sirika, don’t go your predecessors’ way.”

Being a rejionder by Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) on our article published in New Telegraph and Woleshadare.net

The above captioned as published in the Business page of the New Telegraph on 29th October, obviously makes an interesting read. It depicts a cautious commendation of the high performance of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika. Equally appreciated is its advisory for the Honourable Minister to be more sensitive and conscious of Federal Character balancing in his appointments.

The Honourable Minister being an adjudged detribalised leader with a penchant for merit would be very mindful. Indeed, his appointment of Capt. Musa Nuhu as the Director General of NCAA lends further credence to his preference for merit above other primordial considerations. This you have succinctly captured in the article referenced. We join you and the entire Aviation Industry to congratulate and  celebrate Capt. Musa Nuhu on his well deserved appointment.

But, we beg to differ with you on the listing of Aviation CEOs that are fit and competent in their appointments. Without prejudices to whatever quotient and criteria adopted by you in the scorecard; the non inclusion of Capt. Abdulsalam Mohammed, the Rector NCAT among your performing CEOs leaves one with a sour taste. One thinks this is an unkind omission and oversight on the part of your highly esteemed and credible correspondents. For the avoidance of doubt, Capt. Abdulsalam Mohammed, a quiet achiever is about one of the finest  finds of the Honourable Minister of Aviation. Prior to his appointment, he’s flown and administered for some of the best airlines in the world.   He’s proven to be one of the encyclopedias of the Aviation Industry.

He is no doubt a rich delight to any interviewing aviation Correspondent. Such is assured of an incisive and enlightening session. This is essentially as a result of his incredible capacities to effectively offer extempore, an informed contribution to any aviation related discourse . This may be the prompting for the Rt. Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and sundry others in the National Assembly generously prefixing  him with a ‘professor’  title? His on the job track records in NCAT speak volumes for him. Under his supervision in the last 3years of his Rectorship, NCAT has earned the ICAO enviable recognition as a Regional Training Centre of Excellence.

The College has for three years consecutively earned the ICAO TrainAir  plus award as the aviation training centre with the most offered courses and most trained Instructors in the world! Just recently, he has dutifully with the help of the Honourable Minister of Aviation; gotten approval, equipment and licenced  Instructors to commence the long eluded aviation Fire fighter Course in NCAT. With the limited Resources at his disposal, he has prioritized expenditure to ensure all his Instructional Staff are at all times current in their mandatory licences. Our Boeing 737 Simulator building has been completed and ready to house our soon to be delivered machine to train both foreign and Nigerian pilots. He’s also ensuring the conservation of scarce foreign exchange by the commencement of ATPL course in NCAT. Infact, the second set just graduated last weekend in our various airlines in Nigeria. An incredible number of foreign students now attend ICAO ATSEP courses in NCAT.

To further enhance this influx of foreign students, the Rector has deftly signed an MOU with Sierra Leone, Gambia CAAs including BAGASCO etc. Capt Abdulsalam Mohammed has also recorded another milestone in his commencement of PGD Aviation management Courses in Lagos. The Chairman of AON and his executives are proud participants in the program. It goes without gainsaying the fact that under his watch NCAT has been a beehive of behemoth infrastructural and curricular activities and developments.  His prudence in the deployment of Resources to gain maximum benefits cannot be overemphasized. He’s cleared huge backlogs of heavy debt profile he met on assumption of office. Subsequently, contractors and staff alike in NCAT receives payments in due time.

His renowned frugal life style has instilled greater prudence in the management of scarce funds in the institution. Our Course Calendars run strictly as scheduled and our students are best for it in graduating within stipulated period baring the disruptive weather interference. It therefore beats one hollow that our very respected and reputable, New Telegraph Publication; steered by some of the very best brains in the fourth estate of the realm, could miss its spot light on this unassuming Rector of NCAT. I offer unreserved apologies for any lapses on our part in marketing this great brand of ours, Capt. Abdulsalam Mohammed. We hope to take remedial steps to arrange for more interface between the Rector and our dear colleagues in the media profession. I hope our friends in New Telegraph would indulge us more when we come calling.

Most grateful.

AMADI Jude ( Head, Public Relations NCAT )