It is rare for labour unions to applaud their employers. Their relationship is usually cat-and-mouse, precipitated by issues of welfare and work conditions. This is especially so in large organizations with different professional staff unions. The only exceptions occur where and when an organization performs beyond the expectations of its workers.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is one such example. In a rare acknowledgement of the outstanding leadership of Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, the Managing Director/CEO of NAMA, all the professional staff unions in the agency were recently effusive with encomiums for him for the massive transformation he had brought to the agency in just one year in office.
NAMA which was established by the Federal Government in 1999 is responsible for the provision of air navigation services throughout the Nigerian Flight Information Region. Based at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the agency provides air traffic control, air navigation, charting and consulting services. NAMA is also charged with responsibility for developing Nigeria’s airspace infrastructure to a level consistent with the requirements of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
So, what did Engr. Umar do differently to earn the praises of the staff unions in NAMA? First, the MD/CEO has brought confidence to the aviation industry occasioned by a remarkable reduction in Air Safety Reports. He achieved this through strict adherence to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, showcasing enhanced operational safety and efficiency.
On infrastructure development, Engr. Umar has refurbished control towers in seven major airports, including Owerri, Sokoto and Ibadan, with plans underway to extend the effort to six more airports. Under Umar also, NAMA has succeeded in upgrading to solar-powered systems, reducing operational costs and ensuring reliable energy supply to critical facilities.
To enhance the safety and security of the nation’s airspace, the agency has embarked on the upgrade of its surveillance infrastructure across the nation’s airports and other remote installations across the country. In recognition of the value added by Engr. Umar, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently approved the elevation of NAMA to its certification category of ISO 9001:2015. The agency attained the certification after undergoing a strenuous certification audit by representatives of ISO.
The MD/CEO has also encouraged capacity building by investing in local and international training programmes for air traffic controllers, engineers, and other personnel to align with global best practices. He has equally done well in staff welfare by clearing outstanding allowances and implementing measures to ensure timely payment of staff dues and entitlements.
Commending on the achievements of Farouk in just one year in office, Presidents of professional associations in NAMA said at a recent function that workers of the agency were now being carried along with the pace of development. The President of the Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN), Dr. Ibrahim Audu, said the achievement of the ISO 9001of 2015 certification of NAMA was one of the greatest things that had ever happened to the agency with tremendous significance in the industry. Similarly, the President of National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) Engr. Selzing Miri, commended the NAMA boss for his satisfactory handling of workers welfare. Citing the area of training, Miri said that NAMA would be the envy of other organizations should the MD continue the way he has piloted the affairs of the organization.
On his part, the president of National Association of Air Traffic Communicators of Nigeria (NACAN), Alhaji Mohammed Sani, said that for the first time in the history of NAMA, three courses for communications department were going on in the college of Aviation in Zaria.
Engr. Umar who hails from Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, attended the Sokoto State Polytechnic, Sokoto, from where he earned a National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in 1985 and 1988 respectively. He later attended Federal University of Technology, Minna, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He bagged two Masters degrees in Business Administration and International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Lagos State University (LASU) and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, respectively.
Umar joined NAMA in 2002 as a Chief Engineer. Since then, he has held several managerial and strategic positions in the agency such as Airspace Manager, Minna Airport; General Manager, Procurement and General Manager, Special Projects, Kano Region. He was appointed Executive Director, of Safety Electronics and Engineering in 2016.
Umar who is a member of many professional organizations, was conferred with the prestigious honour of National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The selection of Engr. Umar by the Top10 magazine as one of the regulatory agency leaders in Nigeria is in recognition of his outstanding achievements as the Managing Director/CEO of NAMA in the efficient delivery on its statutory mandate and general contribution to the national economy.
