Kano marked 100 years since Nigeria’s first aircraft landing with a grand celebration organised by the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The event honoured pioneers and contributors to the country’s aviation industry.
Posthumous awards were presented to late Alhaji Adamu Dankabo, late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, late Malam Aminu Kano, late Alhaji Sa’ad Sa’id, and the 9th Emir of Kano, late Alhaji Usman bin Abdullahi II.
Institutions including FAAN, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Max Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Bayero University Kano (BUK), and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Chairman of FAAN’s Governing Board, were also recognised.
Mr. Sa’ad Sa’id-Sa’ad, Head of Planning and Coordination for the anniversary, emphasised the historical significance of aviation in Nigeria and its potential to generate thousands of jobs.
He highlighted the role of the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre in training the next generation of aviators through mentorship and capacity building.
Flying Officer A. A. Sokoya, in his keynote address titled “100 Years of Nigerian Aviation: The Legacy of the Nigerian Air Force,” traced the evolution of aviation in Nigeria and highlighted the Air Force’s contributions to national security, air mobility, maintenance engineering, humanitarian support, and research.
The event also included presentations by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on major air incidents, discussions on aviation sector money laundering risks by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), flight simulations by young aviators, exhibitions, and a symbolic transition ceremony between veteran and young aviators.
The centenary celebration celebrated Nigeria’s aviation heritage while inspiring the next generation of professionals in the sector.
