The United Nations Aviation School Project has begun a 120-day `Train the Trainer’’ programme holding simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja to train 34 Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel to combat terrorism in Nigeria.
Sam Adurogboye, the General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed that the training started on March 6 with personnel from both the NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attending the UN-initiated programme – NCAA has four participants, while FAAN, which provides security surveillance at all the airports, has 30 participants.
The training is holding at the FAAN Training School in Lagos and at the NCAA Training Hall in Abuja.
Adurogboye explained that the objective of the training was to effectively mitigate the threat posed to civil aviation by terrorist organisations.
“The training will also provide a key element for robust national aviation security policy to meet global standards in infrastructure, safety and security. In addition, this initiative will enhance the capacity within the UN system to help interested member states to implement the multiple dimensions of countering terrorism,’’ he said.
Adurogboye said Nigeria was chosen for the pilot programme in appreciation of its clear and well-documented road map on developing the aviation sector, with particular emphasis on safety and security.
The programme is being anchored by Redline Assured Security Company of United Kingdom on behalf of the UN.
The Director General, NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, is coordinating on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.