It was a moment of celebration for stakeholders in the aviation sector as Osubi Airport and its Airport Manager, Winston Egwuatu, were honored at the 15th edition of the Nigeria Aviation Awards. At the prestigious ceremony, Osubi Airport emerged winner of the Best Airport Safety Management System of the Year, while Winston Egwuatu was named Nigeria Airport Manager of the Year.
Minister Commends Excellence
Speaking during the event, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the Nigeria Aviation Awards and Ministerial Dinner were established to promote excellence in operations and reward diligence within the aviation industry. The minister, represented by Mahmud Adam Kambari, urged workers across the sector to remain committed to high standards, stressing that safety remains the hallmark of aviation operations. He encouraged award recipients to sustain the qualities that earned them recognition, while advising those who did not win to intensify efforts for future editions.
According to him, the Nigeria Aviation Awards (NiGAV Awards) and Ministerial Dinner have become a prestigious annual platform dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievements, best practices, and notable contributions to the growth of the Nigerian aviation industry.
Award Winner Expresses Gratitude
Reacting to the double honor, Egwuatu expressed gratitude to God and commended members of staff for their dedication and teamwork, which he said made the achievement possible. He stated that the airport management had remained focused on maintaining high operational standards through effective maintenance schedules, excellent grass management, and strict adherence to safety protocols. Egwuatu also recalled that Osubi Airport recently celebrated 18 months of achieving its “Goal-Zero” target with no bird strike incidents — a milestone considered significant in the aviation sector.
Sustained Success
Also speaking, Ofulue Kasiemobi said the airport had dominated the awards for five consecutive years. He praised Egwuatu’s pragmatic leadership style, describing it as a major factor behind the sustained success of the Osubi Airport project.
