Being the speech of the Commissioner of Accident Investigation, Engr Sam Oduselu at the Closing Ceremony of Aircraft Accident Investigation Course at Cranfield University, United Kingdom on 26 February, 2009. |
All protocols observed.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
Today marks a milestone in the life of Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria. Our investigators have just completed a very important course that will reposition our agency for its onerous responsibility of promoting safety in the aviation industry.
Let me also say that today marks my happiest day as it makes the realisation of my dream for the AIB and the aviation sector very bright.
Before I demonstrate how important this course is to our organisation, it is imperative to stress that the level of safety in Africa has become a concern to the global aviation community and every effort made towards removing this concern is desirable.
The role of Accident investigation and prevention in enhancing aviation safety by uncovering causes of aircraft accidents and incidents following thorough analysis and the use of safety recommendations cannot be overemphasised.
It was in consideration of this reality that the Federal Government in April, 2007 established the AIB as an autonomous agency to guaranty its independence and efficiency.
Since then we have been recruiting sound aviation experts and investing heavily on capacity building. This course marks a highpoint of that effort.
The importance of this course is demonstrated by its rich content, the quality of the instructors and the credibility and proud heritage of Cranfield University.
I am happy to note that this 6-week course, which was developed in close collaboration with the accident investigation community pools considerable expertise and experience of investigators, operators and researchers to deliver a level of training that is second to none. We are proud to have our investigators as beneficiaries of this world class training that will in turn make accident investigation in Nigeria world class and thereby help us to realise our vision of becoming a foremost accident investigation body in the world. With this training, which has as its focus the fundamentals skills required by an accident investigator and reflects the modern trends in accident investigation, our investigators are well positioned to conduct well researched, credible and world class investigations. I am also glad to note that the course also concentrates on some of the more specialized technical details of aircraft accident investigation and includes a week-long simulated accident investigation to apply the new skills learned. This course is coming at a time we are being called to offer regional leadership in accident investigation. It may interest you to note that we are the only accident investigation body in the West African sub-region.
I want to salute our investigators for their patience and studious disposition during this course and hope that they will allow the knowledge that they have acquired to impact on AIB and aviation safety in Nigeria and Africa. My sincere gratitude goes to the staff and faculty of Safety and Accident Investigation Centre of Cranfield University for making this training a reality and for the commitment they invested into the programme. We deeply appreciate this relationship and hope to continue to take advantage of the benefits it offers. We are going back to Nigeria with a world class knowledge that will greatly improve aviation safety not only in the country but in the African continent.
Thank you and God bless.
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