The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has elected a Nigerian, Ms Adefunke Adeyemi, as the Secretary General of the continental aviation regulatory body.
While she was announced as the SG at the 34th AFCAC Plenary in Dakar, Senegal, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu also made this known in a statement on Saturday, July 16.
According to the SA, the continental body was thrilled to have the astute aviation professional serve in the strategic position.
Odaudu emphasised: “The Bureau and the Secretariat of AFCAC have the honour to inform AFCAC member states, international organisations, states’ partners and all aviation and affiliated stakeholders that Ms Adefunke Adeyemi has been elected the new Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).”
Adeyemi takes over from the former Secretary General, Mr Tefera Mekonnen. His tenure ended this January, following which Ms Angeline Simana steered AFCAC as Interim Secretary General.
In her reaction, Adeyemi noted that her objective is to build on the progress already made by predecessors and teams of AFCAC to see a new dawn for change through positive action for AFCAC and African aviation.
The global aviation expert emphasised: “The vision for African aviation is to enable a fully connected, prosperous and united Africa.
“We have made so much progress and we must stay the course and build on the current momentum to strengthen existing partnerships and create new mutually beneficial relationships.”
In the words of Adeyemi, “We are stronger together. And I am fully committed to collaboration, multilateralism and fostering cooperation with all states, partners and relevant stakeholders to move African aviation forward.”
Adeyemi’s career took off the ground as a practising lawyer in Nigeria and then as Company Secretary and General Counsel to Virgin Nigeria Airways. Thereafter, she joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) where she has worked in different roles over the last 12 years.
The alumnus of the University of Cambridge is described as a catalyst of change with a career spanning over 20 years.
