The chairman, Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), Olaniyi Adigun, has been conferred with the 2023 Distinguished Aviation Personality of the Year.
The award was bestowed on Adigun at the 10th edition of the Nigeria Transport Lecture, organised by Nigeria Transport Award, publishers of the Transport Day, held on Thursday, at Ikeja, Lagos.
The ceremony convened by Mr. Frank Kintum, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Transport Day, is an annual event where eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in professional excellence and service to humanity in the private and public sectors are honoured.
According to the Kintum, Adigun was conferred with the special award in recognition of his huge contribution to the development of the aviation industry, especially the ground handling sub-sector where he has made a huge milestone in over four decades.
Kintum explained that Adigun was selected for the award by the board and management of Transport Day after emerging tops in the polls conducted by the team.
He specifically said that since Adigun was appointed the Chairman of AGHAN, he had been able to reposition the ground handling companies in the sector and worked endlessly to ensure a review of the former handling rates, which had been in existence in the last three decades.
He said: “Mr. Olaniyi Adigun, the President of AGHAN was nominated for this honour after a rigorous exercise, which focused on his activities and achievements in the Nigerian aviation industry, spanning over four decades. Adigun through his works, has consistently promoted safety, which is the hallmark of the global aviation industry.
“We want to use this medium to call on Adigun to continue to do more for the growth and development of the Nigerian aviation industry. To whom much is given, much more is expected from him.”
In his speech, Adigun thanked the organisers for finding him worthy to be selected for the honour. He also expressed delight at the achievements of AGHAN, but maintained that the association and the successes recorded were not about him, but its entire members.
He added that the award had thrown AGHAN up for more good work.
He said: “I feel very elated, appreciated and privileged to be awarded as the Aviation Personality of the Year 2023 after a long effort that we put into the sector, especially in the ground handling sector of the industry.
“It is unfortunate that the ground handling sub-sector of the aviation industry has not been given fair deal and attention by the government and its agencies, but some organisations in the sector have realised the enormous work that we do and awarded me the honour.
“Like I do say, the government and its agencies are always losing money because of unfair competition in the handling sub-sector of the industry, especially between the two major ground handling companies. AGHAN as a body, has been trying to bring the major competitors together for the enhanced Nigerian economy and we pray this will work out very soon and for the betterment of the industry and the country at large.
He regretted that the airlines were taking full advantage of the unhealthy competition between the two major ground handling companies, but said since AGHAN came onboard a few years ago, such unwholesome practice had reduced to the barest minimum.
Adigun rose through the ranks to be appointed as the Executive Director, Sales & Marketing of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc from 2018- 2024.
During his stay, the department was able to implement various sales and marketing strategies that increased the company’s revenue significantly, while its number of clienteles increased tremendously.
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