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Best Emerging Airport: An Award That Says It All

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“Ladies and gentlemen, the award for the Best emerging airport – Africa region goes to … Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria …”

As the crowd broke into a thunderous applause, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, managing director and chief executive officer, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), rose gracefully and walked to the stage under the klieg lights to receive the award in far away Abu Dhabi, UAE, at the 4th Annual Emerging Airports Conference and Exhibition on April 10, 2014.

Being a silent achiever who avoids the spotlight, this was one moment he could not avoid, as the Sheiks adjusted their veils to catch a glimpse of the ‘emerging airport’ from Africa.

Providence has just thrown him onto the world stage!

Though he had just been recently appointed the MD of FAAN, Saleh was the man criss-crossing the length and breadth of Nigeria as Director of Projects, supervising the remodelling of 22 airports across the country for the past two years.

He was the unseen hand that was silently moulding the concept of the Airport Remodelling Project into reality. So it was a twist of fate that he was the one to receive this award to MMIA as MD/CEO of FAAN.

As the then Director of Projects of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, it was his brief to supervise the massive Airport Remodelling Project.

The significance of that project is that it is the most ambitious airport development project since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, after the Aerodrome Development Programme of the mid 1970s.

The MMIA which won the country that award, benefitted immensely from the project under Engr. Dunoma’s methodical supervision.

Apart from the reconstruction of its old GAT into an ultra modern domestic terminal, the international terminal of the airport has also been expanded to about double its original size and fitted with ultra modern facilities.

In addition, a new international terminal is being constructed close to the existing terminal in preparation for making the airport a major regional hub.

Dunoma, a 1979 Building Engineering graduate of ABU, Zaria joined FAAN in 1980 and has since served the Authority in various sensitive capacities.

At various times, he acted as Airport Manager, Kaduna Airport and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, respectively in 2000, before his appointment as substantive Airport Manager, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, a position he held until he was reassigned in 2005 to the newly created Directorate of Aviation Security and Safety as the pioneer General Manager (Technology and Capacity Building).

The diverse nature of his job in airport management provided him the unique opportunity of being exposed to several facets of airport operations.

He was appointed Director of Engineering Services in February 2009 and served in that capacity until 2012, when he was appointed Director of Projects, a position he held until his recent appointment as MD/CEO.

Since his appointment, Engr. Saleh has embarked on a marathon inspection of the remodelling project, transversing the airport landscape from Sokoto to Benin, Akure to Jos, Makurdi to Calabar, silently revolutionising airport operations in the country. There is little wonder that this is happening because he is on a familiar turf, having served both as Airport Manager and Director of Projects.

This award to MMA is yet another global acclamation of the revolution that is taking place in Nigeria’s aviation sector, as propelled by President Goodluck Jonathan Transformation Agenda in the sector.

That the award came when Nigeria officially became the 26th largest economy in the world made it more significant to potential foreign investors in the country’s aviation industry.

The sheiks in their crowns and flowing gowns struggled to catch a glimpse of this emerging market.

Nigeria’s GDP recently rose to $510 billion following the reclassification of the base year of the GDP from 1990 to 2010.

The development saw the size of the Nigeria’s economy appreciate by 11 steps to become the 26th largest economy in the world, ahead of South Africa’s which had held sway as the continent’s largest economy for some time.

The country’s aviation industry will be a major beneficiary of this economic breakthrough, especially now that new investment opportunities such as aerotropolis and the perishable cargo initiative have been introduced in the industry, under the Aviation Transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Yabuku Dati is the general manager, Corporate Communications at FAAN. He wrote from Lagos


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Cloud Energy Solar Shines Bright with 200 Watts Street Lighting Bulb

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Nigeria’s foremost indigenous Renewable Energy Company, decorated by industry partners as the most Outstanding Energy Provider, Cloud Energy Solar, living true to its appellations, is focusing its renewable energy competencies beyond the home and office.

Cloud Energy has increased its impact in street lighting with the design and production of the 200 Watts street lighting bulb.

The 200 Watts bulb consolidates the reputation of brightness and long lasting for the Cloud Energy range of energy saving bulbs, in the homes and offices.

Spurred by the abundance of the sun, the Cloud Energy Solar Company seems challenged to never let the sun set. The Managing Director of Cloud Energy, Mr. Theophilus Nweke, launching the 200 Watts bulb observed that the times are dangerous in terms of security.

Therefore, the brilliance of the street lighting will eliminate all lurking shadows from the streets and security posts. It is an answer to a call to duty for all patriots to deploy their competencies to enhance national security.

The renewable energy boss said that citizens must be prepared to make sacrifice to give Nigeria its deserved place as the giant of Africa. These sacrifices can come from the kind of opportunities that OEMs give to Nigerians. For example, Cloud Energy, a leading solar practitioner is currently offering rooftop solar panels with a flexible payment plan up to two years or more.

Property owners can now design their buildings with solar panels on the roof and keep paying long after they have completed and moved into the houses.

This flexible payment consideration, the Cloud Energy Boss explains, extends to the entire range of Cloud Energy Solar products – Energy storage products, Inverters, Batteries; Lifestyle products, Fridges, Freezers, Fans Television sets, and solar accessories.

These offers are conveyed in a campaign entitled Bridge the Energy Gap, a clear departure from the traditional way of presenting offers in the market.

The bridge has been used as a symbol to convey a sense of professional support, assistance, and partnership.

The bridge beyond meaning a make-up for a shortfall also provides a thorough fare to the energy transition, without bottlenecks. It deletes all doubts and gives a sense of certainty for a transition.to Solar.

The bridge is the fact that Cloud Energy in partnership with its finance partners offers different kinds of payment plan to ensure a done deal, in electricity, without tears.

Cloud Energy, founded in 2015 has earned respect by installing Solar and Inverter systems for discerning clients, mainly academic, research institutions and multi-nationals across the nation.

In less than a decade Cloud Energy has foot prints in the Banking and Finance sector with ATM installations; Homes and Public buildings with Solar Systems; and is a viable partner to governments through the Rural Electrification Project.


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Airtel HR Director, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias Honoured as HR Leader of the Year

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The Director of Human Resources and Administration at Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, has been awarded as HR Leader of the Year at the 2024 HR People Magazine Awards, organized by Mapelwood Global Resource.

The award ceremony, held recently at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, celebrated the achievements of outstanding HR professionals across Nigeria who have contributed significantly to organizational success and workplace culture.

Speaking on the recognition, Carl Cruz, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, expressed immense pride in Ayo-Elias’s achievement, describing it as a milestone not only for her but also for the company.

“Adebimpe’s impact, dedication, and leadership extend well beyond Airtel, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her influence in the HR field. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her continued contributions to the industry,” he said.

Receiving the award, Adebimpe expressed gratitude for the honour, reiterating her commitment to advancing world-class HR practices within her organisation.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of those we serve within and beyond the organization. Airtel Nigeria creates an environment that nurtures growth, encourages innovation, and prioritizes the well-being of every employee and as such, this award motivates me to continue championing these values,” she said.

This award reaffirms Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to developing and empowering talent, further establishing the company as a leading force in creating an impactful, forward-thinking workplace.


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Canada Orders TikTok to Shut Down Operations Amid National Security Concerns

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Canadian government has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations within Canada, directing the social media platform to close its offices in Toronto and Vancouver.

Despite the office closures, Canadian users will continue to have access to the app itself.

The decision was announced following a national security review led by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that TikTok’s activities posed a threat to national security, though he declined to provide specific details.

“We came to the conclusion that these activities… would be injurious to national security,” Champagne told CBC News, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s actions.

TikTok has voiced strong opposition to the order, vowing to challenge it in court. A spokesperson for TikTok argued that the closure will lead to significant job losses and stated, “Shutting down TikTok’s Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone’s best interest.”

The move follows Canada’s previous restrictions on TikTok, including a ban from government-issued devices in 2023 due to privacy and security concerns.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has faced similar scrutiny from the U.S. government, which has also considered further restrictions over national security concerns.

TikTok maintains that it will continue to serve Canadian users on its platform, allowing creators to connect and businesses to operate.

However, the dispute between TikTok and Canadian authorities signals ongoing tensions between governments and the app’s China-based parent company.


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