Yemisi Izuora
The newly appointed Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu has officially assumed office.
He took over from his predecessor, Engineer Saleh Dunoma after a brief ceremony during which he promised to strengthen the agency to attain increased professionalism and growth.
In a brief hand over ceremony, Captain Yadudu commended his predecessor saying he was a thorough leader whose wealth of experience can and will still be tapped into.
“As long as you remain here, your experiences are still key. We are still going to maintain some communication on issues that concern consultations, recommendations and so because if you want to succeed, it is not only about the people that are with us now, some are retired, some others are outside the country.
“Now, we are fortunate to still have him with us and he is still very much around. I assure you on a personal level, I will maintain contact with him regularly. For me, I have been here two years and in that time I have seen the leadership qualities, he is very supportive and very reliable and I saw all these during the certification process.
The new FAAN MD, however stated that the industry was moving in terms of processes and technology and the airport service must follow suit.
” The industry is moving, new technology, new processes and its either you are going forward or you are moving back and so we have to keep improving services, improving on our processes and procedures.
“Primarily, I need to say in the next few months, we are going to concentrate on improving ourselves and I think the best way we are going to improve the agency is to discipline ourselves. We must sustain a high level of discipline year-in, year- out as it allows you to perform to the best of your ability.
Secondly, respect. We must maintain a high standard of personal discipline in the discharge of our professional responsibilities, with these qualities, we can accomplish all’, he said.
The former Managing Director in his outgoing speech, thanked everyone for the support shown to him over the years at the helm of affairs of the agency.
Dunoma, who recounted his history with the agency said he started with FAAN when it was the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) and climbed the ladder.
“I served in various cadres. First of all, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity to serve in this exalted position and I want to say thank you to all of you, even those that are not here for supporting me in my career, throughout my stay here from NAA days to being Managing Director.”