President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday made new appointments of heads of agencies under the Ministry of Aviation.
Professor Bako Mansur Matazu was appointed as the new Director-General of Nigeria Meteorological Agency, (NIMET), while Captain Modibbo Alkali Mahmud was appointed as the new Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria.
The President approved the reappointment of Engr. Akin Olateru as the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).
The appointments, according to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, were in line with the administration’s commitment to the implementation of the aviation development roadmap.
He said, “Professor Matazu holds a PhD in Geography (Applied Meteorology), with membership of the Nigerian Environmental Society, African Forestry Forum, Nigerian Meteorological Society, the Climate Change Network, Nigeria and the renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Nigeria (REEN).
“He was, until his appointment, the General Manager, Meteorological Research in the Agency.
“The new Rector holds the Airline Transport Pilot Licenses of the Federal Aviation Administration, USA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Embraer, Citation and other international professional certifications.
“Captain Modibbo had served in various capacities, including Pilot in Training, Fleet Captain at Dornier Aviation Nigeria, Max Air and other organisations and has clocked about 6000 hours of flying career.
“Olateru is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with Nigerian, UK and USA licenses, Olateru began his career in engineering maintenance with Pan African Airlines and the Nigerian Police Air Wing after which he left Nigeria for further studies abroad.
“He has also worked with multiple airlines in Europe including KLM, Martin Air in Holland, British Aerospace Engineering and British Midland Airways.
“He attended City University, London and graduated with an M.Sc. in Air Transport Management with specializations in research and simulations into accident investigations.”
Odaudu stated that the appointments were with immediate effect, adding that the reorganisation is a continuous exercise that will involve other management staff of all agencies of the ministry.