Keyamo Visits Air Force HQ, Condoles NAF Over Crash, Agrees Stronger Aviation Safety Cooperation
Aviation Minister meets Chief of Air Staff after Igbokoda tragedy, backs closer civil-military collaboration on safety, training and airworthiness
By Reloaded News Desk
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has visited the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja to condole with the service over the loss of personnel in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Keyamo signed the condolence register and held a meeting with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, following the crash that claimed the lives of those aboard the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft.
The visit also produced an agreement to deepen cooperation between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities, particularly in areas relating to aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training and capacity building.
The Minister expressed sympathy to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the deceased, while acknowledging the sacrifices made by Air Force personnel in the defence and security of the country.
Keyamo said the tragedy underscored the need for closer interaction between the civil and military aviation sectors, noting that both ultimately serve the same country and its citizens.
The emerging cooperation is expected to strengthen the sharing of technical expertise and improve coordination between the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force on aviation safety matters.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed the Nigerian Air Force to commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the objective of preventing a recurrence. He also declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died in the incident.
The crash occurred on October 5 near Igbokoda in Ondo State while the aircraft was on a routine mission. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people, 20 passengers and five crew members died in the incident.
The strengthened cooperation between the civil and military aviation authorities comes as investigations into the tragedy continue and attention remains focused on aviation safety, operational standards and measures to prevent future accidents.
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