By George Ozalla
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has charged newly recruited personnel of the Authority’s Flight Standards Group (FSG) to become safety ambassadors by promoting strict regulatory compliance and upholding the highest professional standards in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He stressed that safety remains the foundation of the aviation industry and urged the officers to see themselves as key drivers of the Authority’s safety oversight mandate, saying their commitment to excellence would contribute significantly to sustaining public confidence in Nigeria’s air transport system.
Capt. Najomo gave the charge on Monday during the opening ceremony of a five-day Flight Standards Group indoctrination course which commenced at the NCAA Lagos Office Annex in Ikeja. He was represented at the event by the Director of Airworthiness Standards and Chairman of the Flight Standards Group, Engr. Godwin Balang.
According to him, the new officers have joined one of the most critical regulatory units of the Authority and must therefore demonstrate integrity, technical competence and professionalism at all times while carrying out their official duties.
He explained that the responsibilities placed on the Flight Standards Group are central to maintaining effective safety oversight across the aviation sector, adding that the officers would be expected to promote a proactive safety culture that aligns with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Director-General further assured the participants that the management of the NCAA would continue to invest in capacity building through regular training and retraining programmes, while also providing the necessary equipment and operational tools required for them to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.
He maintained that continuous professional development remains a priority for the Authority as it works to strengthen institutional capacity and sustain Nigeria’s impressive aviation safety record.
In her welcome address, the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. (Mrs.) Anastasia Gbem, congratulated the new personnel on their successful recruitment into the Authority and urged them to approach their new responsibilities with dedication, discipline and a strong sense of integrity.
She reminded them that the aviation industry leaves no room for complacency, stressing that every officer has a responsibility to protect lives through strict adherence to established safety procedures and ethical conduct.
Dr. Gbem further encouraged the participants to make the most of the training programme by acquiring the knowledge, technical skills and professional values that would prepare them for the important assignments ahead.
Also speaking, the Regional Manager of the NCAA Lagos Office, Mrs. Olubukola Teriba, described the aviation industry as dynamic, highly technical and safety-driven, noting that the effectiveness of every aviation regulatory system depends largely on the competence, professionalism and preparedness of its workforce.
While congratulating the newly recruited officers, she charged them to remain committed to regulatory compliance and the consistent enforcement of established safety standards, explaining that the decisions they make in the course of their duties would have a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The five-day indoctrination programme is designed to equip the new Flight Standards Group personnel with the knowledge, operational procedures and regulatory framework required to effectively carry out the NCAA’s statutory responsibility of ensuring safe, secure and efficient civil aviation operations in Nigeria.
