By Yakubu Dati
The emergence of Mrs Bunmi Onabanjo Kuku as the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) met with unrestrained optimism due to her background as an insider who had played critical roles in fast tracking development in the aviation sector.
On her appointment, industry players recalled how years ago, Mrs Kuku applied her skills and technical expertise to create a robust document enhancing the capacity of FAAN as a service organization with a blueprint known as the Aviation Sector Roadmap.
It is writ large that after putting much in the sector, Mrs Kuku has only been positioned to give her best to the industry.
Kuku, on assumption of duty as CEO of FAAN, resisted the temptation to engage in blame games, choosing rather to focus on applying herself to solutions and silently piloting the organization to a revenue-generating entity in line with her mandate. This she did without compromising on the core values of safety, security, and comfort.
In a bid to improve the safety of flight operations Kuku relied on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), to procure world class equipments in the industry including birds/wildlife equipment with a bird phazer laser; tranquilizer guns and vector fog amongst other sensitive tools to make for safe flights.
Using her adroitness in administration, the forward thinking technocrat went ahead to deepen collaboration with security agencies in order to address issues of land-grabbing/encroachment, airside movement, VIP protocol movement, and other challenges at the airports.
Following Presidential approval to enhance the capabilities of the FAAN Aviation Security Department and the subsequent training of a select group of AVSEC personnel, Mrs Kuku also supported the agency to promote training a specialized unit aimed at significantly enhancing security measures in and around the airports.
These milestones demonstrate the new administration’s commitment to elevating the overall security baseline at Nigerian airports, as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of all travelers, staff, and facilities.
To strengthen collaboration with other agencies, the new helmsman held an interactive stakeholder meeting with Security Agencies, Handling Companies, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Aviation Round Table (ART), where she made it clear that she would carry stakeholders along in the task of achieving customer-centric focused airports; upgrading airport infrastructure; eradicating touting and maintaining safety and security at the airports.
Little wonder that few months into her tenure as MD, she earned nomination as the Regional Advisor representing Africa on the Airport Council International (ACI) World Governing Board.
This is a great achievement for Nigeria and particularly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is known for putting round pegs in round holes and marks a significant milestone for the entire African aviation community.
This is because the position enables Mrs Kuku to play pivotal roles in shaping policies and strategies that impact airports across the continent and to represent Africa on the ACI World Governing Board, which oversees 2,100 airports and 814 members across 169 countries.
As a confirmation of her proficiency and commitment, her principal, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, expressed satisfaction with her work during an inspection tour of several developmental and innovation projects at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), where he toured the newly renovated E-Wing toilet, completed by Max Impact Africa, and the extensive work done on the E-Departure area.
The tour coincided with the launch of the FAAN Private Sector Collaboration and Renovation Initiative, a cornerstone of the Minister’s 5-point agenda which leverages private sector expertise in upgrading airport facilities to drive infrastructural improvements across Nigeria’s airports.
The MD also facilitated the Minister’s flagship initiative of Emirates Airlines and Uganda Airlines resumed flight operations and Maiden Flight to Nigeria while staff of the agency have not been left behind with improved welfare packages and promotion of social interaction, where the MD personally kicked off an Inter-Directorate football tournament to the delight of the staff.
In a strategic bid to collaborate with state governors who are benefiting stakeholders, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku engaged with the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Bar. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on the upgrade of the state airport to a cargo international airport for the benefit of Plateau State, FAAN, and the nation at large.
She has also opened talks with the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, with a proposal for the expansion, rehabilitation, and upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan into an international airport.
Not done with that, the workaholic goal-getter embarked on international engagements participating at the 33rd Airports Council International Africa Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference, Exhibition & Airshow at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, South Africa.
Due to her reformation works, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been ranked among the Top 5 Most Improved Agencies in Nigeria by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
In recognition of her outstanding leadership and the remarkable performance of airports under her management, Olubunmi Kuku and her team from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria were honored with two prestigious safety awards during the ACI Africa Conference held in Johannesburg.
These awards reflect her commitment to elevating Nigeria’s aviation standards and her vision for a thriving and resilient aviation industry in Nigeria and across Africa while spotlighting her exceptional services and operational excellence.
With a passion for innovation and excellence, Mrs. Kuku is quietly piloting FAAN to a grade ‘A’ revenue-generating agency by blocking leakages and mainstreaming income to the Federal purse in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Yakubu Dati, a former General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN writes from Abuja
Yakubudati@gmail.com
