Aliu re-elected as ICAO president

Nigerian representative at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which promotes understanding and security through cooperative aviation regulation, Dr. Olumuyiwa Aliu, has been re-elected for another three-year term as President of ICAO Council.

The council members at a session held at the organisation’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada, endorsed Aliu for the second term.

ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.

The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, its infrastructure, flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation.

Aliu’s first tenure commenced January 1, 2014 and will continue until 31 December 2016. Prior to his election as president, Aliu served as the Representative of Nigeria on the Council from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2013.

Aliu said ICAO in the last three years had been working tirelessly to promote the importance of civil aviation to socio-economic development, as well as its prioritisation in national and regional investment and development planning.

“We have also made great strides in securing the assistance and capacity building our Member States need most, under the ICAO No Country Left Behind initiative, and will now look forward to its next iteration which will be more focused on aviation infrastructure development,” he said in his acceptance speech.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who witnessed the election thanked the Council for its support in the re-election of Aliu for another term.

Sirika said: “I am indeed humbled and honoured to be with you in this hallow chamber, to witness the election of Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu.

“A Nigerian, an African and world aviator as president of ICAO Council for a second term in office.

“On behalf of my delegation, the government and good people of Nigeria as well as entire people of Africa. I wish to thank you very much indeed for your support and the election of Dr. O.B. Aliu.”