The acting Director General, Nigeria, Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo has identified effective communication, teamwork, and decision-making among crew members as the factors that can promote safety in flight operations.
Captain Najomo emphasized that the priority of NCAA is safety, but noted that it is also the responsibility of airlines and others who play roles in air transportation to support NCAA to ensure that flights operate safely in Nigeria’s airspace.
Najomo made this known while declaring open, the Annual Cabin Safety Workshop with the theme: ‘Culture, attitude and cabin safety’, in Lagos, yesterday, saying that there should be a collective effort towards enhancing safety in the aviation industry.
The Director General who was represented by the NCAA Regional Manager, Lagos, Erelu Bukola Teriba, also said the workshop, which adheres to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, is billed to provide participants with valuable insights into the responsibilities of cabin crew and other aviation professionals.
He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and improvement in maintaining a safe flight environment.
“Safety is an ongoing process, this workshop is a unique opportunity to learn and collaborate, by participating in this workshop, we can collectively contribute to a safer aviation industry.”
The groundbreaking cabin safety workshop, according to the Head, Cabin Safety Inspector, NCAA, Mrs Maria Umoh- Ordor, focuses on the critical intersection of culture, attitude and safety in the aviation industry.
She noted that it also aims to equip cabin crew and safety professionals with the tools to overcome cultural biases and maintain the highest standards of professionalism.
Mrs. Odor emphasized the importance of transcending cultural norms and attitudes to prioritize safety.
“Culture is a way of life, and attitude reflects our behavior. As cabin crew and safety professionals, we must rise above these factors to become true professionals. We are committed to making this an annual event, by choosing a specific theme and speaker for each workshop and we can tailor the content to address the most pressing safety challenges,” she said.
The workshop, the first of its kind in several years, marked a significant milestone in aviation training. The previous workshop was held in 2016, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary interlude.
The Guest Lecturer, Sir Paul Ogwuru while speaking on the theme stated that, culture and attitude constitute the tools for enhancement of cabin safety; stressing that a positive attitude is essential for cabin safety, and both contribute to overall safety ratings, adding that aviation authorities like International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO and NCAA require airlines to regularly train cabin crew to ensure they are prepared to handle their duties both on the ground and in the air.
“Consequently, attitude becomes the rallying point and manifests as a connector to culture and cabin safety. These three are inseparable and this behooves organizations to be on the same page with regulatory bodies in this case the NCAA for the maintenance of its standards. Cabin Crew are saddled with ensuring the safety, comfort and well-being of passengers”, she said.
