Historic Book on Century of Nigerian Aviation Set for Public Launch in Lagos
A landmark publication chronicling a century of aviation development in Nigeria is set to be launched on 23 May 2023.
The book, titled “100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects”, offers an extensive exploration of the country’s aviation journey from its earliest flight in 1925 to present-day transformations.
Penned by Mr Wole Shadare, an international award-winning journalist and aviation editor at New Telegraph Newspapers, the 368-page book is being described as one of the most comprehensive works ever published on Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The launch will take place at the Golfview Hotel, located at 12 Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo Road, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
In a statement released in Lagos, Mr Shadare said the book is “probably one of the most important books on 100 Years of Aviation in Nigeria.”
He noted that it serves as a rich compendium of facts and figures, offering valuable insights for stakeholders, scholars, and researchers keen on understanding the evolution of aviation in Nigeria—from the historic first flight that landed in Kano in 1925 to the sector’s modern developments.
According to the author, “The story of Nigeria’s aviation industry has been put in the correct perspective, using my rich and varied experience and uninhibited access to relevant source materials, covering both historical and contemporary areas of Nigeria’s aviation history.”
The publication is being positioned as a must-have reference for aviation professionals, airline operators, regulators, service providers, policy makers, students, and industry observers.
It is also the first major updated account to comprehensively document the trajectory of the aviation sector from 1925 through to 2025.
The public presentation of the book will be graced by high-profile personalities in the aviation and policy-making circles.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.
Other dignitaries expected at the launch include the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku; Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr Umar Farouk; and former Director-General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren.
Dr Demuren, who also wrote the preface to the book, will deliver a keynote address and provide a general overview of the aviation industry’s progress and prospects.
The book will be reviewed by Professor Anthony Kila, a Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development, political economist, and Director at the Commonwealth Institute for Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos.
Chairing the occasion will be the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Dr Wale Babalakin.
As part of the launch event, the maiden edition of the Aviation Metric Colloquium will also hold. This annual event, inaugurated alongside the book launch, aims to gather industry leaders and decision-makers to propose actionable solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The theme for the inaugural colloquium is: “Issues in the Growth and Development of Aviation in Nigeria: A Critical Perspective”.
With the anticipated launch of this scholarly work, stakeholders are looking forward to a turning point in addressing longstanding issues plaguing the industry.
