Nigeria security training center will safeguard airports in West Africa, FAAN MD

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

The certification of the Aviation Security Training Center of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been described as one that will aid the development of aviation security training and manpower development as well help facilitate the implementation of security measures across airports in West and Central Africa.
The training facility, according to the Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma will also allow Nigeria play a leading role in the accomplishment of security and other safety recomendations set by ICAO on the continent.
Donuma spoke at a ceremony to present the certificate of recognition and take off of the facility in Lagos by ICAO where he asserted that FAAN is pious to contribute meaningfully to achieving all the global aviation regulatory body security and safety recommendations.
The FAAN ASTC, he affirmed will provide competent technical and administrative support to ICAO in order to achieve all training activities in Africa.
While commending ICAO and sister agencies in the sector, he affirmed that that center will enable the agency domesticate most of the training hitherto done outside the country and also attract patronages from the civil aviation sub-sector in the regions.
Describing the ICAO center as a well thought out project, Director General of the Nigeeian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Usman Muhtar, said that the training facility which took only less than 24 months to achieve is a testament to FAAN readiness to provide AVSEC Training Courses to cater for the English speaking states in the West Africa sub region.
“ the request for the designation of FAAN AVSEC Training School as an ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre(ASTC) was made on the June 18,2017, after which an evaluation by ICAO was conducted in May 2018 by the Regional Security Officer for Western and Central Africa office and that under 24 months , the request was granted.”
Muhtar stated Nigeria currently has five certified ICAO AVSEC Instructors and over 60 qualified National AVSEC Instructors that can be of service at the ASTC.
Leader of the ICAO team and Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr. Mam Sait Jallow commended the Federal Government adding that with the designation of the ASTC of Nigeria, the network of AVSEC Training Centres now include 35 centres wisely distributed in all ICAO regions to provide AVSEC training at the international, regional and national levels, to all categories of personnel involved in the implementation of security measures, policies and procedures in line with its strategic objectives to improve the level of implementation of Annex 17 Standards.
At the same time, FAAN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Government on Aviation Security on behalf of the federal government.
While Sale Donuma penned the agreement on behalf of the federal government, Mr. Kenan Wood from the British High Commission represented the UK government.