By Chinelo Obogo
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) recently organised a one-day workshop for its public relations staff and aviation journalists to deepen their knowledge of airport operations and ultimately boost the accuracy of reporting.
The workshop, titled; “Reporting Aviation and Airports,” was held at the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) in Lagos.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, opened the workshop by stating the importance of education and continuous personal development. She said without these, leaders would remain stagnant.
“Education is the fuel that drives every leader. When you talk about leadership, education is one of the key factors that propel every leader to the next level,” Kuku stated.
A former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, also spoke at the event, stating that while experience is important, it must be complemented by continuous on-the-job training to ensure optimal performance. He commended Kuku, for initiating programs aimed at improving Nigerian airports. “The essence of this workshop is to immerse ourselves in FAAN’s current efforts to reposition Nigeria’s airports and to explore other areas of aviation and airport reporting, especially as our country seeks to advance from a stagnant stage,” Omeri said. The workshop featured sessions on four topics: Airport Operations and Management: Stakeholders and Responsibilities, Aviation Incident Reporting: Sensationalism and Responsibilities, Legal Perspectives in Aviation Reporting, and Media and Partnerships. Over 60 participants, including aviation reporters and FAAN staff, attended the workshop.
One of the sessions, “Airport Operations and Management: Stakeholders and Responsibilities,” highlighted the responsibilities of stakeholders in the aviation industry. Participants learned about the intricacies of airport management, the importance of stakeholder collaboration, and the critical aspects of maintaining safety and efficiency at airports.
Another session focused on “Aviation Incident Reporting: Sensationalism and Responsibilities.”
This topic addressed the challenges faced by journalists when reporting on aviation incidents. Participants were taught the importance of avoiding sensationalism and prioritising factual reporting.
The ‘Legal perspectives in aviation reporting’ session provided participants with an understanding of the laws governing aviation in Nigeria. Sub topics included regulatory compliance, legal liabilities, and the ethical considerations involved in aviation reporting while the session on “Media and Partnerships” explored the importance of building strong relationships between the media and aviation stakeholders.
The workshop concluded with a discussion, where participants shared their insights and experiences and commended FAAN for fostering collaboration between aviation professionals and media personnel and striving to improve the accuracy of information disseminated to the public.