De Havilland 9A |
Aviation in Nigeria started exactly 91 years ago today, November 1, 2016. The first flights landed in Kano on November 1, 1925 which was a Sunday morning. Heralding major activities in the aviation in the country was the operations of three De Havilland D.H 9A by United Kingdom Royal Air Force. “FLIGHT” was the name of the publication that documented the event . The editorial of the publication reads, “The three D.H.9A machines of the Royal Air Force which left Helwan aerodrome, Cairo, on October 27, have successfully accomplished the outward part of the journey to Kano, Nigeria, where they arrived on Sunday, November 1.
In high elation, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen.
Hadi Sirika in his response said, “I am indeed happy on the country’s achievement
in aviation. 91 years ago, three men risked their lives and gave us what we
have today. Nigeria is a big player despite the challenges we are going
through. We will surmount the challenges. I want to use this opportunity to
salute the doggedness and courage of those men. We might not be able to
celebrate with fanfare, but we appreciate aviation for connecting us and our
businesses. It has indeed changed our lives and made our world easy”.
Describing the adventure, FLIGHT said, “In view of the
extremely trying conditions under which the flight was made, the successful
accomplishment of the first half of the undertaking is a feat which reflects
the very greatest credit on the Royal Air Force in general, and on the officers
and men concerned in particular. So far there is little information available
concerning the manner in which the machines have withstood the rather severe
climatic conditions, but the very fact that Kano has been reached by all three
machines to schedule time seems to indicate that no trouble of a serious nature
can be experienced”.
With the coming of aviation into the country, Nigeria has
participated in the progress and development. Despite the challenges, Nigeria
is daily participating in the airlifting of passengers and goods with
indigenous carriers’ participation.
Aviation has assisted the country to have strong
relationship with the global community. Just last week Nigeria and Portugal announced
readiness to enter into air services relationship. Minister of State for
Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika said, “Nigeria and the Republic of Portugal are set
to commence the implementation of a Bi-lateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) as
part of government efforts towards establishing and asserting the nation’s as
an undisputed leader in air transportation on the African continent”.
Recently in what was described as “historic” by the
Minister of State (Aviation) Sen. Hadi Sirika at the 39th Assembly
of ICAO in Montreal Canada, Nigeria was re-elected into the Part 2 category of
the Council of ICAO. Nigeria scored a total of 152 votes from 152 countries.
This shows the global recognition of the contribution of the country to the
world of aviation.
With Aviation, Nigeria has become a lucrative route for
foreign airlines. Right now, there are over 21 foreign carriers operating into
the country. Also, the Business aviation is a growing market for the country.
There is so much positives aviation has brought. We salute the doggedness and
courage of the men (Squadron-Leader A. Coningham, Flight-Lieut. H. V. Rowley, and Flight-Lieut.
H. W. Baggs) who took the risk to give us what we are enjoying today.
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