In recognition of the crucial role of the aviation sector in driving Nigeria’s economic development, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development have trained Information and Public Relations/Public Affairs Officers. The 5-day workshop, which took place at Hogis Luxury Suites, Calabar, with the theme “Effective Agency Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination (CCC) in the Highly Complex Aviation Industry.” had Directors of Information and Public Relations/Public Affairs Officers in the Ministry and her Agencies totaling 40 in attendance.
Facilitated by the African Investments and Development Group (AFRIDEG), Dr. Frimpong Boateng, said the aviation industry is complex and requires communication, collaboration, and coordination among Public affairs departments to inform and educate the public appropriately to solve problems. Dr. Boateng affirmed that though agencies may have different mandates and policies that may be conflicting, such inter-agency conflict can be handled through effective coordination.
The facilitator maintained that agencies should not work in silos, stating that lack of trust is a major hindrance to collaboration, and urged participants to eschew unhealthy competition and focus on solving problems as a decision-maker. He emphasized the need for technology, stating that technology drives growth in the aviation industry, and called on participants to embrace the advent of technology in their day-to-day communication activities.
According to Dr. Boateng, “Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination suffers when you allow individualism.” He urged participants to acquire more relevant information on the aviation sector, stating that “acquiring information skills will promote decision-making and implementation.”
The training exposed participants to topics such as Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination essentials and performance, key aspects of communication, tetrafunctional communication essentials in the aviation industry, effective communication strategies for customer service, effective communication strategies for aviation leaders, and emotional intelligence, among others. He advised participants to disengage from self-centeredness and embrace information sharing, stating that the essence of communication is not to gain prominence but to ensure understanding and proffer solutions.
Speaking at the workshop, the Head of Press and Public Affairs Unit of the Ministry, Mr. Odutayo Oluseyi, thanked the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, CON, FICArb UK, for his leadership role, mainly on capacity building. He described Keyamo as an agent of change who is not relenting in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mr. Oluseyi said the training for Public Affairs Officers was the first of its kind in the history of the ministry, stating that with such training, the officers would provide accurate and timely information to the general public. He said effective communication, collaboration, and coordination remain paramount if the sector must tell its success story. He urged all policymakers in the Ministry and its agencies to maintain this tempo to drive home expected results.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection in Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Dr. Abdullahi Musa, said the training would go a long way in bringing synergy between the Ministry and its agencies. The training is key to Nigerians and the industry; “we cannot achieve the desired results without proper communication, collaboration, and coordination.” Dr. Abdullahi urged all stakeholders to strengthen capacity among Public affairs officers, noting that information remains the lifeblood of every organization.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Obiageli Orah, also commended the training, stating that; “it was a wonderful initiative and an opportunity to interface with the Ministry and other agencies”. Mrs Orah further emphasized that the initiative would enhance idea-sharing, team work, inter-agency collaboration and further encourage productivity. She praised the professional competence of the Facilitator and called for increased participation among the aviation agencies and stated her agency’s willingness to promote the initiative.
The participants were staff of Press and Public Affairs department of Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Signed
Nwagwu, Daniel Chibueze
Principal Information Officer
For: Head Press and Public Affairs Unit
