The Group Managing Director/CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, has called for investment in the nation’s aviation sector as a way of boosting the national economy.
Otti made the call at the just concluded Aviation Investment Forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Aviation to showcase opportunities for stakeholder buy-in in the sector. The event was sponsored by Diamond Bank Plc, a leading commercial bank in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Otti said, “Investment in aviation is a gateway into foreign investments particularly as it is the major entrance route of investors. The opportunities in the sector are incredible such as serving as a maintenance hub for other countries in Africa, building new airports and downstream services in all the airports. For the individual, investment in aviation means safer travel, quicker services so you don’t have to sleep at the airport just because you want to travel, reduced fares due to robust competition and convenience.”
“At Diamond Bank we realize these opportunities and for now we are supporting some airlines in acquiring aircraft. There is an airline in this country that has about eight aircraft in its fleet. All of them were financed by Diamond Bank and given to them. There is also a relatively young airline that we financed the purchase for about five aircraft for,” Otti added.
The Director General of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Anthony Anuforo, disclosed that the agency has been re-structured to amplify the ministerial mandate to consolidate, realign and commercialise. Accordingly, NIMET was moving from being a net receiver to a net contributor to government.
He noted that the agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK MET Office to provide world class metrological services in Nigeria, and called for partnerships in the areas of aviation, oil & gas, maritime, engineering, high end construction and insurance.
Some dignitaries at the event include: The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, OON; Sam Egube, Director, Corporate Banking, Diamond Bank; Uzoma Dozie, Director, Diamond Bank; Capt. Chinyere Kalu, Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology; George Uriesi, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; and Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, Director General of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.