…To Share Training, Technical Expertise After Igbokoda Crash
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, have agreed to strengthen cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The two leaders agreed to deepen collaboration in aviation safety, aircraft certification, airworthiness, training and capacity building, with the aim of reducing safety risks and improving standards across the two sectors.
Keyamo announced the new cooperation framework yesterday when he paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff over the Igbokoda tragedy.
After signing the condolence register, the minister held a private meeting with Aneke before both men addressed journalists on the outcome of their discussions.
Keyamo said the crash had further highlighted the need for closer cooperation between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), stressing that aviation accidents affect Nigerians regardless of whether the aircraft involved is civilian or military.
“We value the Air Force. We value the efforts of the gallant men and women of the Air Force and what they do for the country,” the minister said.
He said the two sectors should not operate in isolation because they ultimately serve the same country and protect the same citizens.
“It is one country, one people. When disaster happens, it affects everybody. There were civilians in that air crash and when there’s an air crash in civil aviation too, there can be military personnel. And so, it is important that we cooperate in the area of safety,” he said.
Keyamo noted that the Air Force already uses some civil aviation facilities and services, particularly air traffic control, adding that the existing relationship should be expanded into a more organised partnership.
According to him, he had already contacted the Director-General of the NCAA and facilitated direct communication between the NCAA leadership and the Chief of Air Staff.
He said a joint committee involving the NCAA and NAF would be established to promote cooperation in areas including airworthiness, aircraft certification, training and other aviation safety matters.
The minister stressed that the arrangement would respect the separate legal responsibilities of the two institutions while allowing them to share knowledge and expertise.
“We have decided that we will cooperate in terms of capacity building,” Keyamo said.
He also offered to open relevant training opportunities organised by the civil aviation authorities to NAF personnel.
“There is no reason why we cannot take some names from the Air Force. We have a lot of training we go for, so there is no reason why we cannot,” he said.
Keyamo added that the Air Force also possesses specialised knowledge that could benefit the civil aviation sector.
He described the planned partnership as a two-way exchange of skills and experience aimed at improving the safety of Nigerians.
“This is a kind of cross-pollination and symbiotic relationship we have decided to build for the safety of the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Responding, Aneke thanked Keyamo for the condolence visit and his support for the Nigerian Air Force following the Igbokoda crash.
The Chief of Air Staff said discussions had already started on a framework that would allow civil aviation experts to contribute to the Air Force’s safety system, particularly in aircraft airworthiness and certification.
He added that NAF personnel would also make their expertise available to the civil aviation sector where necessary.
“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” Aneke said.
He welcomed the offer of training for Air Force personnel, saying it would help improve professional capacity and strengthen aviation safety nationwide.
The Chief of Air Staff said both institutions had a common responsibility because they serve the same government and protect the same Nigerians.
“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians. So we are just a blend of each other,” he said.
The proposed partnership is expected to improve the sharing of safety information, technical knowledge and training between the civil and military aviation sectors.
It is also expected to provide a stronger platform for the two sides to learn from each other and jointly address aviation safety challenges.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
