BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe, the CEO and Founder of CITA Aviation Fuelling Company Limited, will chair the 28th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
The conference is set for Friday, July 26, 2024, at Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Dr. Ogungbangbe is an international energy strategist with a distinguished career, including roles as General Manager of Aviation Business at MRS Oil and Gas, and Aviation Marketing Manager for Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc in West and Central Africa.
He co-founded Aviation Air and Land Services, now Asharam Aviation, and has held significant positions in Sahara Group, focusing on strategic fuel procurement, market risk management, and aviation insurance. An IATA-certified jet fuel airfield inspector, Dr. Ogungbangbe has received extensive international training in jet fuel from EI, ASTM, API, and IATA.
He has also contributed to high-profile industry projects, including serving on the Nigerian Federal Government’s 6-Man Committee on Aviation Fuel Pricing and Product Availability.
The theme of the conference,” Aviation Survivability Amidst A Challenging Macro-Economic Environment,” addresses the critical economic challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector, such as limited access to foreign exchange, a weakening currency, high fuel and maintenance costs, inadequate airport infrastructure, regulatory constraints, increasing manpower demands, technological upgrades, and passenger comfort.
Keynote speakers include Captain Samuel Caulcrick, former Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and Dr. Alex Nwuba, Second Vice President of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI). Dr. Richard Aisuebeogun, former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), will moderate the panel session.
The LAAC Annual Conference is a pivotal event in Nigeria’s aviation industry, fostering public discussion on policy, management, and operational issues.
This conference has historically led to significant advancements within the sector. Aviation and allied businesses also benefit from the sponsorship opportunities, using the event to showcase their products and services.
The 2024 edition promises to continue this tradition of impactful discourse and industry development.
