The Chairman of Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited (PAHCOL), Samuel Oluwole, has lamented the spate of flight delays and cancellations among domestic airline operators, 40 years after deregulation of the airline sub-sector.

Oluwole also said 65 years after independence, the sector had come of age, but he insisted more still needed to be done for the sector in Nigeria to remain competitive.

Oluwole stated these at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on the sidelines of the conferment of a Doctor of Transport and Logistics Management (honoris causa) on him by Pebble Hills University, Delaware, in the United States of America (USA).

Oluwole was honoured for his significant contributions to society, especially the nation’s aviation industry, where he had served for over four decades.He emphasised that 40 years after the deregulation of the sector, the airline sub-sector was yet to live up to expectations, despite the liquidation of the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways.

“Right now, we are not there yet, but we hope to be there,” he said. Oluwole was honoured with the doctorate degree during the fourth Strategic Summit on Good Governance with the theme: ‘The Africa We Deserve: Leadership, Governance, and Collective Progress – The Case of Nigeria,’ held by Pebble Hills University.

Presenting him with the honour, on behalf of the Board of Pebble Hills University, Prof. Ezekiel Isidahomen said Oluwole, and three others were recognised with the doctorate degrees in various fields following their great achievements and considering their wonderful performance as international business practitioners, motivators and human resource experts.Isidahomen congratulated the honorees and challenged them to continue to keep the flag flying in their different endeavours.

According to him, the recipients of the honorary doctorate degrees had proven to the university that they were prominent leaders in their various fields and persons of integrity who had demonstrated superior expertise and commitment. Isidahomen specifically said that Oluwole was deserving of the highest acclaim that the university could bestow on him as an individual.

In his remark, Oluwole expressed delight with the university for the recognition of his contributions to the aviation industry and leadership in Nigeria. He described the recognition as a great and monumental moment, stressing that the recognition would inspire him to do more for society, especially in the aviation industry where he belongs.