A former President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Isaac Balami, has charged the new President of the association, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh to prioritise professionalism and focus on building the reputation of Nigerian pilots and engineers beyond the shores of the country.

Balami also advised the new leadership to strengthen the association’s local foundations while simultaneously reaching out to foreign aviation bodies to create partnerships that would benefit the industry’s professionals.

Balami gave the advice earlier in the week in an interaction with some aviation journalists in Lagos.

Balami, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 7Star Global Hangar, said that for Nigeria to continue to sustain its leadership position in the continent’s aviation industry, NAAPE had a vital role to play.

Gindeh, who works at the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), was elected the President of NAAPE on Friday, September 26, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He polled 51 votes to defeat his rival, Francis Igwe, an aircraft engineer with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who garnered 17 votes.
Balami also congratulated Gindeh on his election, describing him as a seasoned professional who would elevate the association to unprecedented heights.

In his congratulatory message, Balami, expressed confidence in the new leadership.The two aviation professionals share a history that dates back to Balami’s tenure as NAAPE President, when Gindeh served as the Branch Chairman of the same association at Aero Contractors.He said: “Capt. Bunmi Gindeh is a great man who loves aviation so much. He is a seasoned pilot and has paid his dues in the aviation industry.

“I do not doubt that the new president will take NAAPE to the next level, surpassing its current status. And I want to assure Gindeh that he has my full support and I’m available to support at any level.”

Balami who is also the founder of the University of Aeronautics and Management, Nigeria’s first specialised aeronautics university, went further to offer strategic counsel to the new NAAPE boss.

He further urged the new leadership to embrace international collaboration and standardization, saying these remained critical to professional development and career mobility.

The election also saw Mudi Muhammad, an aircraft engineer at Arik Air, emerge as the national deputy president unopposed, while Adewale Adenugba secured a second term as first trustee. Other elected officials included Edwin Udoh as Financial Secretary, Blessing Ahmadu as Publicity Secretary, and Michael Nicholas as Second Trustee.

In his acceptance speech, Gindeh praised the outgoing administration led by Abednego Galadima, particularly commending the establishment of a training institute.

The new president outlined his vision for the association, emphasising member welfare, standardized contracts across the industry, safety advocacy, and upgrading the secretariat to meet modern standards.