The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has urged delegates at the 40th General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation to re-elect Nigeria as Part ll member of the organisation’s Council.
A statement signed on Monday in Abuja by James Odaudu, Director of Public Affairs in the ministry, quoted Sirika as saying re-electing Nigeria was paramount in recognition of the country’s participation in various objectives.
Sirika, who gave the charge while speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Nigerian Mission to ICAO for a cross section of participants at ICAO World Aviation Forum in Montreal, Canada, said Nigeria deserved the honour.
He said: “Having contributed various categories of experts to the organisation and hosted several events, notably the Third ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) in Abuja in 2017.
“Nigeria has been a member of the Council since 1962 and holds its membership of ICAO very dear.
“The nation, therefore cherishes the opportunity to continue to work with other member nations in advancing the work of the Organisation for greater efficiency and effectiveness in line with its strategic objectives.”
Sirika further canvassed support for the election and re-election of all African member-states whose candidature had been endorsed by the African Civil Aviation Commission to the ICAO Council.
According to him, the future of aviation industry is closely tied to innovation, which is the key to addressing technological, operational and environmental challenges confronting the sector.
Sirika further advocated that successes in technological advancement should be complimented with modernisation of global regulatory frameworks through liberalisation of market access and convergence of regulatory approaches.
The 40th General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation organisation, which is holding at the Organisation’s headquarters in Montreal, is expected to elect members of its Council to run its affairs for the next three years.
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