Nigeria’s aviation sector has again been embroiled in a hot mess following the news about the confirmation of the acting director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, as the substantive DG of the regulatory agency.
As expected, because the agencies cannot operate in vacuum in view of the sensitive roles each plays in ensuring a safe and secured air transport sector in line with international standards and recommended practices, there must always be a qualified professional appointed to carry out this sensitive role.
In view of the critical roles the CEOs are expected to play, their appointments or removal must follow the due process devoid of any sentiment or local politics.
Unfortunately, while the appointments of CEOs into the highest pinnacle of the other government agencies have always followed the due process, reverse has been the case with the aviation agencies.
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Each time there is the need to appoint a CEO into any of the agencies, it has always been war and unnecessary pull it down coming from the different interest groups who are ever ready to use the opportunity to score a long time enmity for the purpose of frustrating the target without considering the consequences on the entire system.
There is no doubt that the high level of animosity and bitterness permeating the atmosphere in the sector have no equal as the different expert groups trying to outdo each other.
Again, the presence of too many experts has remained the bane of the sector which is responsible for the regular internal crisis bedeviling the sector at any slightest opportunity.
This brings to the fore the ongoing controversy over the status of the director general of the NCAA, Captain Najomo.
Najomo, popularly known as ‘Jolly Papa’ in the aviation cycle because of his unassuming style, caught his teeth in the sector where he was a pilot for many years having flown for many airlines.
Without doubt, because of his experience, he has the capacity to fit into any position he finds himself, which led credence to his appointment as the acting director general of the NCAA over a year ago.
Najomo, an airline administrator, two-time director at the NCAA, before rising to the position of acting director general in the NCAA wasted no time in swinging into action immediately after his appointment as he within a short space stirred up activities in the sector which undoubtedly raised the bar in airline operations and safety issues to complement the transformation agenda of the federal government.
As expected, Najomo, who having spent more than one year in acting capacity and therefore deserves to be confirmed as the substantive DG by the National Assembly should have a smooth sailing experience to the substantive position in view of the achievements the NCAA and the sector have recorded under him.
It was based on this premise that many key players out of anxiety and confidence have started celebrating his confirmation which they argued have been long over due.
Within a twinkle of an eye, the hitherto jubilation was almost marred by some negative vibes coming from some people described as ‘experts’ who have been accused of engaging in acts capable of truncating the confirmation of Najomo as the substantive DG.
The gang up against the NCAA DG has already created a strong division among the different interest groups and the director of public affairs and consumer protection at the agency, Mr Michael Achimugu have attributed the campaign of calumny to some ‘puff-puff experts’’.
In a strong reaction sent to the media, Achimugu had declared: “My attention has just been drawn to a lame, desperate and obviously sponsored last-ditch attempt by the famed “puff-puff experts” (apologies to Honourable Minister Festus Keyamo SAN) to truncate the confirmation of Captain Chris Najomo as substantive DG, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
“First, they came with allegations that the man had paid two hundred and fifty million naira to purchase an official vehicle without recourse to procurement processes. When that plot was blown out of the water, this rabid group resorted to all shades of blackmail, sponsored false narratives, among other tactics just to achieve their selfish aims.”
According to an adage that says ‘there can be no smoke without fire’, at any rate, anywhere this sudden negative narratives are coming from, let truth be told, Najomo has achieved so much in the last one year hence, he deserves to occupy the position of a substantive DG.
He has paid his due and therefore, should not not be denied his reward just because of some flimsy allegations and remarks. Above all, there is the need for the experts or those behind the negativity to tread softly in their conspiracy theories which may boomerang on the national interest.
