The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, has restated commitment to partner with Nigeria in the establishment, provision of funding and faculty of the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr James Odaudu, Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, on Saturday made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Mr Salvatore Siacchitano,  the ICAO President gave the assurance when Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, led the country’s delegation to the 41st General Assembly of the organisation to his office at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

Siacchitano said that Nigeria’s decision to establish the university was a welcome development.

LR: Mr Salvatore Siacchitano, ICAO President and Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, 

He  said that ICAO would always be part of every effort geared towards addressing the manpower needs of member-nations in order to service and manage the ever-expanding aviation industry.

The president stated that the university would represent a new channel for the training of professional managers for the industry, especially within the African region, being the first of its kind on the continent.

He promised to personally visit the site for the university during the forthcoming ICAO Air Negotiation event (ICAN) to be hosted by Nigeria in December.

According to him, the visit will give him a clearer picture of the immediate needs and the level of participation of the organisation.

Siacchitano thanked the government of Nigeria for its commitment to the ideals of the organisation at all times.

He added that the acceptance to host the ICAN event was a clear demonstration of the said commitment.

Responding, Sirika expressed Nigeria’s gratitude to the ICAO Council President for his reassurance of the council’s earlier pledge to be involved in the university project.

Sirika said that all the necessary regulatory requirements had been met and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The minister assured that the forthcoming ICAN event holding in Nigeria would be a resounding success like the earlier ICAO events hosted by Nigeria.

In a similar development, the government of Qatar has also expressed its readiness to participate in the establishment and running of the African Aviation and Aerospace University to be located in Abuja.

The Qatari Minister of Transport, Jassim  Al-Sulaiti disclosed this in a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika at the sidelines of the ongoing 41st ICAO General Assembly) in Montreal, Canada.

According to the minister, the government of Qatar is excited to partner with Nigeria through providing some funding and training of its manpower in the university.

He said such a collaboration would be a better option for his country.

Sirika thanked the Qatari minister for believing in the project, adding that the involvement of the country would further deepen the relationship between the two countries.

The two ministers agreed to meet further to develop modalities for partnership in the project, given the interests being shown by some ICAO members and the organisation itself. (NAN) (www.nanews)