BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In a strategic effort to deepen aviation safety by drastically minimising air incidents and accidents, the Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh (Jr.) and his Special Adviser, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh, visited the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) headquarters in Praia, Cabo Verde on June 19.
On arrival, the BAGAIA Commissioner, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, welcomed them, accompanied by the BAGAIA Technical Support/Training Director, Engr. Ameh Samuel, and the BAGAIA Account/Administrative Assistant, Ms. Susana Benhaga.
Engineer Erhueh expressed his appreciation for the visit, stating, “Welcome to BAGAIA. We appreciate your coming and believe that your presence will strengthen the relationship between BAGAIA and NSIB.”
He outlined the agenda, which included a comprehensive presentation on BAGAIA’s background, founding countries, activities, pending subscriptions, on-the-job training requests, RAIO expansion discussions, and the challenges and relationships with member states.
He also encouraged the NSIB team to enjoy the town of Praia.
Captain Badeh responded positively, expressing his excitement to see the operations behind the sub-region’s safety efforts.
He anticipated that the next two days would yield fruitful discussions benefiting both NSIB and BAGAIA.
In a related development, the NSIB and BAGAIA team visited the Instituto De Prevenção E Investigação De Acidentes Aeronáuticos E Marítimos (IPIAAM).
The acting President of IPIAAM, Mr. Jorge Manuel Rodrigues, warmly welcomed the delegation, expressing gratitude and responsibility in hosting the current NSIB Director General/CEO.
Mr. Rodrigues acknowledged the positive relationship established by Capt. Badeh’s predecessor, Engr. Akin Olateru, and expressed hope for a more robust collaboration to enhance aviation safety in their countries, the ECOWAS region, and the continent.
He emphasized the importance of combining synergies between IPIAAM and NSIB, both newcomers in multimodal accident investigation, to significantly contribute to public safety.
He highlighted the need for leadership with a clear vision aligned with ministerial directives.
Mr. Rodrigues concluded by envisioning a future with safe skies over Cape Verde and Nigeria, complementing the safety of the continent’s skies, seas, highways, and railways, based on transparency and responsibility.
In his response, Capt. Badeh expressed his admiration for Praia and IPIAAM’s facilities.
He acknowledged IPIAAM’s advanced position in multimodal accident investigation and emphasized the potential for learning and collaboration to achieve safer skies. He concluded with optimism about the cooperation and collaboration between NSIB and IPIAAM towards ensuring the desired safety in their skies.
The meeting was attended by; Mr. Jorge Manuel Rodrigues – President of IPIAAM, Executive Member, IPIAAM Board of Directors; Ms. Verena Barbosa Vincente – Executive Member, IPIAAM Board of Directors; Mr. Edmir – Safety Investigator, IPIAA and Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. – DG/CEO, NSIB. Others were; Capt. Bunmi Gindeh – Special Adviser to DG, NSIB; Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh – BAGAIA Commissioner; Engr. Ameh Samuel – Technical Support/Training Director, BAGAIA and Ms. Susana Benhaga – Accounts/Admin, BAGAIA.
