Vanguard Newspaper Names Aviation Minister “Public Sector Icon Of The Year”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN has been named the Public Sector Icon of The Year by Nigeria’s foremost national newspaper, Vanguard; this is in recognition of his transformative leadership and far-reaching reforms in the nation’s aviation sector.

Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister said the letter of recognition was formally presented to the Minister yesterday his office in Abuja by a delegation from the newspaper’s editorial team, led by its Sunday Editor, Mr. Akinola Akinwale Oluyemi. The main award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos in April.

Presenting the letter on behalf of the management of the newspaper, Mr. Oluyemi commended the Minister’s remarkable performance, noting that his achievements were particularly striking given his non-specialist background in the sector. He described the Minister as a “golden fish with no hiding place,” whose accomplishments within a short time in office have significantly repositioned the sector.

“We are here to present a letter of award to you because you have done so much in this sector, despite the fact that you are not an expert in the field. Having achieved so much within such a short time, it is truly remarkable to note that you are not a specialist in this industry, and perhaps that is precisely why you have accomplished so much,” Mr. Oluyemi stated.

The Vanguard editor highlighted several key achievements that informed the newspaper’s decision, including: the facilitation of expanded routes for Nigerian carriers, most notably the Lagos-London route; the improvement of Nigeria’s compliance rating on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) platform from 49 percent to 75.5 percent; the strategic positioning of Nigeria as a safer and more credible destination for aviation activities; the renovation of the old terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), creating organized space for Nigerian international operations; and many others.

“I want to state clearly that this award, Public Sector Icon of the Year, is a recognition of these remarkable achievements. It is a well-deserved honour,” Oluyemi stated.

In his response, the Minister expressed gratitude to the management, describing the honour as especially meaningful given his personal journey with the newspaper stretching back more than three decades. He praised Vanguard for standing tall through the years and staying true to the principles of responsible journalism even as the media landscape evolved around it.

“My joy knows no bounds. And I mean every alphabet of every word I have just said. Vanguard is one of the trailblazers in terms of responsible and top-notch journalism. In the midst of the contemporary journalism we are seeing today, Vanguard has managed to grow with the times while also maintaining its status and its identity. The new style of journalism swept some publications away, but Vanguard managed to keep its top-notch status and transition smoothly. For that, we must give kudos to the staying power of Vanguard,” the Minister stated.

The Minister emphasized the unique value of the honour, distinguishing it from the plethora of frivolous recognitions that have become commonplace. He noted that an award from a reputable platform like Vanguard carries enduring significance.

“When you receive an award from Vanguard, you will not only keep it for now; you will keep it for generations to see. It is momentous. The fact that when I was in office, I was considered worthy by one of the leading voices of journalism in our country is significant,” he said.

Acknowledging the critical role of the media in holding public officers accountable, Keyamo expressed appreciation for the editorial team’s attentiveness to his work and urged them to maintain their watchdog role.

“Sometimes when you are in office, you do not know that people are watching. The way you listed some of my achievements, I thought I was just doing them quietly but for you to have kept an eye on us in public office is an indication that we are being watched. It is also an indication that we should never attempt to sleep on the job. I also want to say that you should continue to criticize us. If we go off track, beat us back in line. Beat us back!” he said.

The Minister further reaffirmed his commitment to engaging with constructive criticism, stating: “I have identified with Vanguard for more than three decades. Therefore, with Vanguard, I will listen to the criticism of Vanguard. I will listen to healthy criticism. I will listen to your advice. I will listen to everything that you have to say about our office.”

Concluding his remarks, Keyamo accepted the award wholeheartedly and pledged to honour the recognition at the Lagos ceremony in April. “I accept this award wholeheartedly. I will be there to celebrate with my whole body. I will honour you just as you have honoured me. I want to thank you,” he said.