Pwajok shines as Nuhu, others stand tall at ATQ award

Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, was the star attraction at the just concluded Air Transport Quarterly Magazine Award where he carted home the Star Leadership Award in Air Traffic Management just as NAMA was named the “Most Impactful Agency of the Year” 2022.

Since his appointment in January this year, the former Director of Operations at NAMA has instituted innovative development and infrastructural upgrades of navigation systems and facilities across the country that have not only improved safety of flight operations but has also placed Nigeria on the global map of countries with advanced navigation equipment.

Speakers at the event also called on the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Government to urgently approve Pwajok’s appointment as substantive Managing Director without delay.

Also, Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu won the prestigious Air Transport Industry “Aviation Man of the Year”.

The Organisers explained that the award followed Nuhu’s outstanding performance in sustaining the oversight function of the industry, especially safety regulation of the operations of airlines.

“Captain Nuhu has been able to inject a pragmatic touch of innovations and visionary foresightedness which has succeeded in lifting the regulatory work of the agency to an impressively commendable height.” Publisher of Air Transport Quarterly Magazine, Mr. Supo Atobatele told the audience.

He added that “Nuhu’s reformation, zeal and dynamism has undoubtedly contributed largely to the continental and global impact which the Nigerian aviation sector has been able to record in recent times.

It stands out as a tribute to his impressive array of sterling qualities that over three years since assumption of office, his firm stance on safety, has been able to keep the airspace safe and secure devoid of crisis.”

Similarly, the NCAA clinched the Aviation Agency of the Year for  maintaining industry safety while the newly created investigative agency, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) was recognized as the ATQ Most Innovative Aviation Agency of the Year.

Other personalities and organizations that carted home awards and recognitions include the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria which clinched the Aviation College of the Year and the Chief Executive Officer of the college and Rector Captain Alkali Mahmud Modibo won the ATQ Leadership for Excellence in Manpower Development award.

Also, Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) bagged the ATQ Chief Executive Officer of the Year alongside NiMET, which was voted Most Improved Aviation Agency of the Year.

The rest agencies that smiled home include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which emerged as the ATQ Most Outstanding Agency in Airport Management while  the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Arik Air emerged the Ground Handling Company of the Year and the Most Consistent Airline.

Sam Adurogboye, General Manager of Public Relations at NCAA won ATQ Leadership award for excellence in aviation media relations.