Airport Reporters

IATA UNVEILS KEYAMO IN ADDIS ABABA AS ONE OF AFRICA’S TOP FOUR FOREMOST AVIATORS At a special session at the ongoing IATA Focus Africa Conference holding in Addis Ababa, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, as one of Africa’s top four most prominent aviators. The announcement which was made by IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi underscored the continental recognition of the Minister’s leadership and reforms. Alawadhi, in his remarks, cited Keyamo’s cutting-edge policy direction, strategic reforms, and unwavering commitment to global aviation standards as the basis for the recognition. He specifically highlighted Nigeria’s effective administration of the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework, as well as the country’s impressive 91.4% score in ICAO safety oversight, positioning Nigeria among the leading aviation nations in Africa. “T...

  Airport worker returns passenger's lost  purse with  $1,700 , travel documents  .Frank Omorojie  By Kelvin Osa Okunbor  A casual worker attached to Environment Department of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Frank Omorojie has returned a lost purse containing $1,700 , a British passport , Nigerian passport and a credit card he found at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The discovery happened on Wednesday at the Rwanda Air check-in counter.  For many, that amount of money could have been life-changing. For Frank, it was simply someone else’s lifeline. Without hesitation, Frank handed over the purse to Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials.  Following standard procedures, the items were documented and passed to the Customer Service Department, where an urgent announcement was made. Within minutes, a female Nigerian passenger, who had already resigned herself to the worst,...

  Keyamo advocates  collaboration to enhance Africa's  flight connectivity  The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo  has called for stronger collaboration among African nations to advance aviation safety, enhance connectivity, and improve operational efficiency across the continent. Delivering a goodwill message at the IATA Focus Africa Conference holding in Addis Ababa, the Minister emphasized that Africa stands at a defining moment in its aviation evolution, with vast untapped potential despite its relatively small share of global air traffic. Addressing  participants, including representatives of the International Air Transport Association, aviation leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, Keyamo commended IATA for convening the conference under the theme: “Elevating Aviation Safety, Connectivity and Operational Efficiency in Africa.” He noted that the theme aligns with the critical priorities required to unlock sustain...

 FAAN Targets Next Generation to Bridge Aviation Skills Gap The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched a strategic initiative aimed at cultivating a new pipeline of talent for the aviation industry, focusing on secondary school students and gender diversity in technical roles. The programme, spearheaded by Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, FAAN’s General Manager, Training and Human Resource Development, aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) objective.  The initiative seeks to address a critical shortage of professionals in specialised fields such as piloting, aeronautical engineering, aviation security, and firefighting. Speaking of bridging the gender and professional gap, Akinlade emphasised that the aviation industry is often viewed strictly through a technical lens, which can sometimes discourage young students or result in gender imbalances. "We are bringing awareness to the young gener...

 NDLEA EDO INTERCEPTS 748.02KG OF TRAMADOL, OTHERS The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large shipment of controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, on the Benin-Lagos Expressway. The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju,  stated this while presenting the latest operational breakthrough to journalists in Benin City on Monday. Commander Mitchell noted that the operation is a positive result of the tasking order by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (RTD)  to take proactive measures in preventing inter-state drug trafficking in the country. On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the command’s ongoing painstaking efforts to combat drug trafficking culminated in the interception of a Mercedes-Benz truck branded with the Nigeria Labour Congress insignia and bearing the registration number Federal Capital Territory NLC 146 FC.  The truck was found with ninety-five cartons cont...

 FAAN Celebrates Aviation Icon Kunle Soname at 60 .....A Visionary Who Redefined Private Air Travel in Nigeria    The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, on behalf of the entire management and staff, extends hearty congratulations to renowned Nigerian entrepreneur, sports enthusiast, and founder of ValueJet, Mr. Kunle Soname, on the occasion of his 60th birthday today. In a press release signed by the Authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection,  Mr Henry Agbebire, the FAAN MD/CE described Mr. Soname as a trailblazer whose contributions to Nigeria’s aviation sector have left an indelible mark. Through the establishment of ValueJet, one of the country’s leading private airlines, Soname demonstrated uncommon courage, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. “Mr. Kunle Soname is not just a businessman; he is a visionary who saw what ma...