Dr Abdullahi Musa, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has been conferred with the traditional title of Dan Kade of Kontagora Emirate in Niger State in recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment, education, philanthropy and community development.

The title was conferred on Musa by the Emir of Kontagora, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Barau Mu’azu II, who said the NAMA director had earned the honour through his sustained commitment to the progress and welfare of the emirate.

The Emir highlighted Musa’s philanthropic activities, scholarship awards to indigent students, youth empowerment initiatives and support for infrastructural improvement and other community development projects.

In a statement announcing the conferment, NAMA’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Stephen Onabe, said the traditional honour recognised Musa’s sustained contributions to the advancement of the emirate.

Musa, an academic, political scientist, researcher, author and public administrator, has built a career spanning teaching, educational administration, legislative and local-government service, institutional management, public affairs and consumer protection.

Congratulating him on the honour, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, described the title as a fitting recognition of Musa’s integrity, humility and dedication to the development of Kontagora Emirate.

Garba, who said he had personally witnessed Musa’s commitment to his community, described him as a worthy ambassador of his people.

He expressed confidence in Musa’s ability to uphold the responsibilities attached to the title and prayed for divine guidance as he assumes the traditional role.

Responding, Musa expressed appreciation to the Emir for considering him worthy of the honour, describing it as both a privilege and a call to greater responsibility.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities, empowering young people and improving the wellbeing of residents.

Musa said the recognition had further strengthened his resolve to contribute to the prosperity of Kontagora Emirate.

Aviation workers’ unions have commended the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Michael Achimugu, for his contributions to the agency’s public image, stakeholder engagement and passenger rights advocacy.

The Deputy General Secretary of the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Olayinka Abioye, gave the commendation during a congress of aviation unions at the NCAA Regional Office in Lagos on Tuesday.

Abioye congratulated Achimugu on his recent awards, describing him as a professional whose work had strengthened communication between the aviation regulator, airlines, passengers and other industry stakeholders.

He urged participants at the congress to recognise Achimugu’s contributions, saying his efforts had helped project a positive image of the NCAA both within Nigeria and internationally.

“He is giving the NCAA a very good image internationally and within the country,” Abioye said.

The commendation follows a series of recognitions received by Achimugu in 2026 for his work in aviation communication, consumer protection and passenger rights advocacy.

On October 5, he received the Protocol Man of the Year Award from the Centre for Protocol Profession Development and the Council of Protocol Professionals at the 13th International Protocol Officers Conference, Workshop and Awards in Lagos. He was represented at the ceremony by the Assistant General Manager, Education and Awareness Unit, Mrs Ekeh Okam.

Earlier, on June 29, Achimugu received the 2026/2027 African Brands Personality Award at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja in recognition of his contributions to consumer protection and passenger rights advocacy.

He also received the Aviation Agency Director Award at the 15th Nigeria Aviation (NIGAV) Awards in Lagos on April 17 for his role in consumer protection and engagement with aviation industry stakeholders.

Following the recognitions, Achimugu thanked the organisers of the Protocol Man of the Year Award and pledged to continue promoting the rights and responsibilities of air travellers and aviation operators in Nigeria.

As head of the NCAA’s Public Affairs and Consumer Protection directorate, Achimugu oversees communication on the agency’s regulatory activities, public education on passenger rights and the handling of consumer-related concerns.

The directorate also provides information on flight delays and cancellations, baggage-related issues and ticket refunds, while facilitating communication between the regulator, airlines, the media and the travelling public.

The unions’ commendation highlights the role of public communication in strengthening relationships between aviation regulators and industry stakeholders, as well as improving awareness of consumer protection responsibilities.

The NCAA is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s civil aviation industry, including aviation safety, regulatory compliance and the protection of air travellers’ interests.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, have agreed to establish a stronger civil-military aviation safety framework following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft incident at Igbokoda.

The agreement will deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in airworthiness, certification, training, capacity building and other areas critical to aviation safety.

Keyamo announced the initiative on Wednesday after paying a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff over the Igbokoda tragedy, during which he signed the condolence register and held a private meeting with the Air Chief.

Speaking after the meeting, the minister said the incident had reinforced the need for civil and military aviation authorities to share expertise and work more closely to protect lives.

He said the two sectors, despite operating under different statutory frameworks, ultimately serve the same country and protect the same citizens.

“It is one country, one people. When disaster happens, it affects everybody. There were civilians in that air crash and when there’s an air crash in the civil aviation too, there can be military personnel. And so, it is important that we cooperate in the area of safety,” Keyamo said.

According to him, the Nigerian Air Force already depends on civil aviation infrastructure, particularly air traffic control, making it necessary to build a more structured relationship between the two sectors.

Keyamo disclosed that he had contacted the Director-General of the NCAA and facilitated direct communication between the NCAA leadership and the Chief of Air Staff as part of efforts to strengthen the partnership.

He said a joint committee involving the NCAA and NAF would be established to coordinate cooperation in airworthiness, certification, training and other aviation safety measures, while respecting the statutory responsibilities of both institutions.

The minister also offered Nigerian Air Force personnel access to relevant training programmes organised by civil aviation authorities.

“There is no reason why we cannot take some names from the Air Force. We have a lot of training we go for, so there is no reason why we cannot,” he said.

Keyamo further acknowledged the specialised expertise within the Nigerian Air Force, noting that military aviation professionals could also contribute to strengthening safety within the civil aviation sector.

“This is a kind of cross-pollination and symbiotic relationship we have decided to build for the safety of the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

Responding, Air Marshal Aneke thanked the minister for the condolence visit and continued support for the Nigerian Air Force.

He said discussions had already commenced on a framework that would allow personnel from the civil aviation sector to contribute to the Air Force’s safety environment, particularly in airworthiness and certification, while NAF personnel would also provide expertise to the civil aviation sector where necessary.

“We have both agreed that we need to move the aviation industry, whether military or civil, to a higher level,” Aneke said.

The Chief of Air Staff welcomed the proposed training opportunities for Air Force personnel, saying stronger professional cooperation would improve capacity and aviation safety nationwide.

He stressed that both institutions had a common responsibility to protect Nigerian lives.

“We are serving the same government; we are protecting the same Nigerians. So we are just a blend of each other,” he said.

The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen information sharing, technical cooperation, professional training and safety coordination between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.