Shake-up in Aviation Ministry
…FG appoints Acting MD for NAMA, redeploys directors in NCAA, FAAN
…Promotion in administration, management has been politicised — Expert
By Tobi Adetunji and Ariemu Ogaga
The Federal Government has approved the appointment of a former Director of Operations, Mr. Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, as the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, conveyed Pwajok’s appointment in a letter.
This follows the expiration of the tenure of Captain Fola Akinkuotu, on January 7, 2021.
Pwajok, who retired from service in December, was directed by a letter from the Human Resource Management of the Ministry with reference number FMA/ PS/ APPT/ CEO/014/1/23.
The letter titled: “Appointment of Director to Oversee the Office of the Managing Director/CEO” and signed by A.D Muhammad for the Minister was directed to the immediate past MD.
“I am directed to inform you that the honourable minister has approved that Mr. Pwajok Mathew Lawrence, Director of Operations to oversee the Office of the Managing Director/ CEO pending the appointment of a substantive MD/CEO.
“You are to kindly accord the director all the necessary support and cooperation he needs while overseeing the office. While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept the esteem regards of the honourable Minister,” it read.
Earlier, Nigerian NewsDirect reported that the Federal Government approved Akinkuotu as the MD of NAMA on January 7, 2017, at a time other heads of aviation agencies were also named.
His appointment was for a period of five years in accordance with the Act establishing the agency.
Meanwhile at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Minister approved the re-appointment and redeployment of some Directors and Special Assistants.
A letter signed by the Director, Human Resources Management, S.D. Muhammed and dated January 12, 2022, with reference number FM/PS/APPT/CEO/014/1/12 addressed to the Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, said, “I am directed to inform you that the Minister of Aviation has approved the re-appointment and redeployment of Directors and Special Assistants in the office of the Minister and the agencies as indicated in the attached list.
“Officers deployed to the Minister’s Office are to continue to draw salaries and other entitlements from the agencies of deployment.
“I am also requesting that all handing and taking over exercise where applicable be completed before the close of work on January 21, 2022.”
Also in FAAN, Anozie Hanarius was reappointed director, Human Resources, Aboderin Adenike retained her position as Director, Finance, and Administration.
Abdulkadir Rafindadi and Capt Yusuf Muye were also reappointed as Commercial and Business Development and Operations directors respectively while Alli Maina was appointed Director, Engineering just as Gold Bridget Iwinose heads the Legal Unit.
In the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Adamu Wakili and Capt Chris Najomo, whose appointments took effect from January 7, 2022, were respectively appointed as Director, Human Resources and Director Air Transport Regulation.
Bahagio Agio who was first appointed as an Operations, Licensing & Training Standards on September 2, 2017, retained his position; Odunowo Tayib who was first appointed as Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards in 2017 retained his position.
Furthermore, Sani Bilikisu and Ajiboye Isiak retained their position as Director of Finance & Accounts and Director, Airworthiness Standards respectively.
Musa Mai Sallau who was first appointed as a Director in May 1990 got reappointed as Director, Human Resources in the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Alhaji Umar Farouk Ahmed retained his position as Director, Engineering and Electronics, NAMA while Pwajok Lawrence Mathew who retired after 35 years of service was re-appointed as a Director and has been asked to oversee NAMA.
At the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Capt Dayyabu Danraka who was first appointed as Director of Operations got his appointment confirmed and retained his position.
Mohammed Wali is the Director, Engineering; Salisu Auwal is now Director, Human Resources and Kakangi Aliyu is the Legal Adviser.
Promotion in administration, management has been politicised – Expert
In his reaction to the shakeup, an Aviation Expert and Group Captain (Rtd), John Orjikuku, averred that promotion in administration and management has been politicised.
Orjikuku, however, said the appointment of Pwajok means well for the aviation industry, saying it is the only appropriate one among the reorganisations.
He said, “The change in the heads of the agencies are or could be political but not the subordinate levels. Moreover, changes in any of the surbodinate levels in the agencies do not need political shake-up; changes in these levels are subject to the administrative or management regulations.
“Unfortunately, the subordinate posts which are in the administration and management of the staff career progressions have been politicised that the career staff have nothing to look up to as progressions but acquisitions of wealth in any manner before leaving the service.
“The manner of the appointments into the professional posts would have negative effects in the effectiveness or efficiencies of the operations of the agencies and their developmental progress.
“The appointment of Pwajok is the only appropriate one among the ‘shake-up’ and this is very welcome as an encouragement for those coming behind him in the career progression lineage. I wish other appointments are same as that of Pwayok.”
