Skills development will enhance service delivery to passengers – FAAN MD

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has expressed its commitment to training and professional development of its staff and the media practitioners covering the industry, saying this would enhance service delivery to passengers.

Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, stated this during a training organised by FAAN in conjunction with the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) which brought together aviation journalists, members of staff of FAAN and other resource persons.

Kuku stressed the importance of the training, saying given the technical nature of aviation, the aviation journalists must be specially trained to understand the rudiments of the industry.

Kuku who was represented by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, stated that personal development would boost the performance of aci journalists while the industry would benefit from their expertise.

She said: “Without continuous personal development, you will be rotten, you will be stuck, you will be stagnant; so, education is the fuel that drives every leader.

“When you talk about leadership, education is one of the key factors that propel every leader to the next level, and we are all leaders.

“We have passengers at our airports every day, we are to give them a good customer service. If we are to give them quality service, you need to have the right training, the right skills.”

Director of CIAP, Prof. Anthony Kila, explained that the role of aviation journalists cannot be overstated, saying they needed to be well informed to be able to report the industry effectively.

“The best way to make users aware of the sector is to go through the media so that when they consume or read articles, they become informed,” he said.

Former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Mike Omeri, charged journalists to embrace investigative journalism and unearth the rot in the sector.

He lauded the current management of FAAN led by Kuku who he described as a visionary administrator committed to the growth of the sector.

Another facilitator, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin stressed the need for aviation journalists to shun sensationalism in their reportage in order not to scare away passengers.