How IFATCA Conference Hosting Will Benefit Nigeria, By NATCA President
The President of Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), Mr. Abayomi Agoro, has identified what Nigeria stands to benefit from the 34th Africa and Middle East Regional meeting of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IFATCA). hosted by NATCA, scheduled to hold from December 6th to 8th, 2023 at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja.
Agoro in a statement to journalists in Lagos, explained that the high number of delegates expected at the conference would boost hotel businesses, tourism sector, telecommunication companies, local airlines, government agencies as well as cab operators among other beneficiaries of the hosting of the conference by Nigeria.
He said 300 Air Traffic Controllers are expected to participate and that Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development will be the Special Guest of Honour to declare the conference open.
He further said that apart from the participant member associations, some IFATCA Board members, major stakeholders from the Nigerian aviation industry, including the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the six aviation agencies and CEOs of Airlines are expected at the conference with the theme: ‘Shaping The Future: Trends and Insights On ATC Training For Tomorrow”
The other guests are Mr. Duncan Auld; the Executive President of IFATCA, Mr Fateh Bekhti; Executive Vice President, Africa and Middle East and host of other Executive Board members.
The statement also said that Mr. Ahmad Abba, mni, the Regional Vice President, West Africa and the General Manager, Air Navigation Standards, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would be the Chief Host.
Agoro said the conference was last held in Nigeria in November 2018 and that this 34th meeting was bid for Algiers, Algeria, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the event could not be held and NATCA was invited for a replacement.
He said: “IFATCA is very key to the safety and security in the aviation industry globally. It is the federation of all licensed air traffic controllers worldwide and since its establishment in the 1960s, it has done a lot to harmonize and promote the profession as well as the ethics, conduct and wellbeing of the personnel and in partnership with the ICAO global aviation Projections.
“All the aviation agencies CEOs are our guests at the conference with other majority stakeholders in the global aviation.
IFATCA is an International Federation of Air Traffic Controller’s Associations. It was established in 1961 and is the largest and most comprehensive representative body for air traffic control in the world that promotes safety, efficiency and regularity of the air navigation services.
