By Cosmas Okereafor
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo (SAN), recently granted an audience to the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Abhishek Singh who paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. His visit was made public following a press release issued by the Special Adviser to the HM on Media and Communications Mr. Tunde Moshood and made available to Upright Communications Speaking during the visit, the Indian High Commissioner said Nigeria’s airports are performing very well, adding that each visit reinforces his conviction that both countries have much to gain from each other.He stated that there is tremendous potential in the industry and that he sees at least six or seven areas in which both countries can collaborate.The High Commissioner expressed his desire for the Honourable Minister to visit India, adding that the Indian Minister for Civil Aviation, whom he described as a very young and dynamic man, would also want to visit Nigeria.On capacity building, the High Commissioner said India is ready to deepen its programme in Nigeria, noting that over 250 Nigerians benefit from the scheme every year.He described Nigeria as a great country, stating that India holds Nigeria in high regard and that his country would be glad to receive the Honourable Minister.
In his response, the Honourable Minister thanked the High Commissioner for the visit and welcomed the proposals, noting that India’s record in aviation, particularly in the area of capacity building, offers valuable lessons for Nigeria as the Ministry pursues the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the aviation and aerospace sector.He stated that the Ministry is committed to deepening bilateral ties that will not only strengthen the country’s aviation infrastructure but also create opportunities for Nigerian professionals to acquire the skills and exposure needed to compete globally.The Honourable Minister identified training, capacity building and the transfer of knowledge as priority areas for the Ministry, noting that the partnership with India should be structured in a way that equips Nigerian engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals with the expertise required to drive the sector forward.The Minister has directed that a technical team be set up to work out the details of the proposed partnership between both countries.
