Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu has advocated urgent need for airports, airlines, government agencies and other stakeholders in the industry to support, inculcate and propagate culture of security and human capability for deterring, detecting and preventing unlawful acts against civil aviation.
The DG made this charge during a three-day retreat organised by Aviation Security (AVSEC) Department for AVSEC Managers preparatory to the launch of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Year of Security Culture (YOSC) in Nigeria. It was held recently at The Patron Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Capt. Musa who was represented by Head of AVSEC Department, Mr. Okplefu Akoja remarked that ICAO, at the 40th Session of its Assembly, adopted a resolution to continuously work on approach renewal and the development of formidable tools to enhance security awareness and security culture, making it a priority and thus designated year 2020 as the Year of Security Culture (YOSC).
According to him, ICAO through this momentous resolution aims to encourage the aviation industry to think and act in a security-conscious manner; imbibe security consciousness within normal airport operations; and promote an effective and sustainable security culture as a critical core value endorsed by top management of an organisation.
Capt. Musa disclosed that the Authority will focus on priority activities to ensure success of the YOSC agenda. These strings of activities include executing a security culture campaign at national level to raise security awareness in the aviation sector; encourage collaborations within the aviation industry in support of efforts to promote security culture; issue relevant guidance on practical security culture communication strategies, plans and campaigns; and continue to support training and offer technical assistance focused on promoting an effective and sustainable security culture within the aviation industry.
However, he expressed optimism that the declaration and start of the programme will signpost the birth of a new security consciousness in the industry; to which all stakeholders' commitments will further be strengthened through activities that have been scheduled to take place in the course of the year and beyond.
Concluding, NCAA helmsman thanked the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and other stakeholders in attendance for the commencement of activities marking the global event.
No fewer than 17 (Nos.) participants drawn the Authority's Regional Offices comprising Lagos (12 participants), Abuja (two participants), Kano, Kaduna and Port Harcourt (one participant apiece) took part in the retreat to brainstorm and fashion out creditable programmes for the forthcoming launch of YOSC.
They are Mr. Okplefu Akoja (Head, AVSEC Department), Mr. Amasa Peter (Head, AVSEC Training), Mr. Idris Abdu Aliyu, Mr. Hamza Ibrahim, Mrs. Igbinoba Morenike, Mr. Oluwole Oludare, Mr. Okeze Augustine, Mrs. Otubusen Oluwakemi and Mrs. Agbamuche Mercy.
Others included Mrs. Okpala Lovelyn, Mrs. Honora Chuma-Sydney, Mr. Essien Udom, Mr. Akomolafe Afolabi, Mrs. Offo Olayinka, Mrs. Eneogwe Nancy, Mr. Coker Olukunle and Mr. Wikere James.
YOSC was originally billed for year 2020 but for severe impacts of coronavirus disease on aviation; thus the start of activities marking the Year of Security Culture was unavoidably shifted to year 2021.