On Tuesday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) injected 201 fresh hands into the security apparatus of the airports, with a charge to be “as watchful as the eagle.”

This came as the organisation’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit graduated the cadets to enhance the safety and security of air travellers at the nation’s airports.

FAAN managing director Olubunmi Kuku said the graduation/induction ceremony of the STP 123 Basic Course for 201 aviation security cadets was in response to challenges in the sector.

She admonished the new inductees to use lessons from the training to prepare them to be the “vigilant sentinels of our skies.”

The FAAN boss urged them to adopt the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, remembering that the safety and confidence of passengers rested in their hands.

“You, dear cadets, are our eyes and ears. Commit all our civil aviation regulations to heart and be as watchful as the eagle. Each time a plane takes to the skies or lands safely, acknowledge that you played a vital role in making it happen,” she said.

Ms Kuku said FAAN would continue prioritising the safety, security and comfort of passengers and other stakeholders while ensuring that staff were committed to excellent public service delivery.

The FAAN chief added that the safety and comfort of passengers were at the core of FAAN’s operations. She said the induction ceremony marked a significant milestone not only in the careers of the trainees but also in the journey of FAAN towards bolstering the nation’s aviation security.

“It is also one of our strategic responses to the increase in the volume of passengers using our airports. Permit me to remind us that the safety and security of lives and property are at the core of our business.

“As such, we deploy all human and material resources to ensure we provide the nation with the best-trained personnel to carry out our various job functions with an emphasis on Aviation Security,” she said.

Ms Kuku explained that the STP 123 Course was an eight-week residential training designed to integrate new cadets into the civil aviation industry. She added that the training was to help them implement, monitor and enforce aviation security measures proactively in accordance with locally approved regulations.

“They also underwent physical training to equip them for the long hours. All these are to ensure we offer our darling customers the best service possible,” she said.

Ms Kuku thanked President Bola Tinubu for all his input, encouragement and support in improving the fortunes of the aviation sector and raising its contribution to the nation’s GDP.

The commandant of aviation security at FAAN, Femi Apata, said the eight weeks of intensive training were meant to tackle the dynamics of threats.

Mr Apata listed areas of training that encompassed all areas of the sector, adding that a portion captured security, banditry, and terrorism.

(NAN)