AON SURVIVAL-BEFORE THE SUN SET

By Ayodele A.Harrison

The Airline Operators of Nigeria(AON), the umbrella body of all Nigeria registered airlines has no doubt come a long way since coming into being almost 17 years ago.
It is heart warming that the body will be holding a general meeting on Friday,28,June,2013 at which crucial issues and decisions are likely to be taken concerning the present and the future of the association.
However, before the Friday crucial meeting, there is a need to look at some "clinical" matters that needed to be analysed and possibly subjected to surgical operations if the association want to continue to enjoy the support and attract more airlines and upcoming ones into its fold.
For example, the founding fathers of AON had an objective of making the Association a meaningful organization that will promote the Aviation Industry, foster greater co-operation and fair competition amongst members, as well as collectively act as a representative of members in a manner that would assist the aviation industry to make good progress for our great country, Nigeria.
It is noteworthy that the AON is neither a Trade-union nor a Political party and its corporate behavior should not be such.
Good as such objectives were, what do we experience today : These goals have been eroded by leadership ineffectiveness, and hijack of the association for satisfaction for personal gains.
The noble Association has been reduced to the realm of irrelevance apart from its nuisance value appearing to render the Aviation Industry ungovernable.
It is bad enough that AON has degenerated to such low levels, but it is worse if stakeholders in the Aviation Industry continue to fold their arms and watch the Association being singularly hijacked and derailed into further disrepute.
This was displayed in the recent caustic open letter to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation on the new National Civil Aviation Policy which was unilaterally written and submitted on behalf of AON members to the National Assembly without any consultation whatsoever with members of the Association and stakeholders of the Aviation Industry. Sadly that letter is not a true reflection of the opinions of airline operators.
Having painstakingly reviewed the Constitution of the AON, it is glaring that the root cause of the problem of the Association is the failure to adhere to its Constitution and Rules and Regulations governing the Body for the past twelve years or more.
A search on the records of the Association at the Corporate Affairs Commission reveals the following:
- The General Meeting of the Association which ought to have been convened annually as prescribed by the Constitution has not been convened for over a decade, which is in breach of Article 9.1 of the Constitution of the Association.
- Contrary to the provisions of Article 8.6 of the Constitution, the incumbent Trustees of our Association are representatives of Airlines in Nigeria which are no longer a going concern.
- No general election has been conducted since 2002.
- The incumbent office holders have retained their positions for over a decade as against a cumulative period of four(4) years as prescribed by Article 13.1 of the Constitution
- Decisions on matters which ought ordinarily to have been taken unanimously by the National Executive Council are now being unilaterally taken and imposed on the Association by a single office holder.
- Inability to identify the current Officers/members of the National Executive Council such as the Vice Chairman, Publicity Secretary, Financial Controllers etc., as there is no record of the names of these office holders at the Corporate Affairs Commission.
- Absence of a neutral secretariat where members would have equal rights and equal access to documentation and information
- No financial accountability in collection of dues, levies and other income generated by the Association leaving its members without clarity on how to deal with financial issues of the Association
- Lack of visible rules that allow new airlines to join and benefit from AON
- Requirement for an updated Constitution that will enable the Association serve the members and Nation better as well protect the Association from future abuse by any officer
• It is very clear that the AON is in imminent danger of implosion and requires urgent reformation. Therefore, immediate steps should be taken by AON Members must at the Friday general meeting strive to redress these concerns, by redirecting the focus of the Association to its core objectives and values.
• It is imperative that the AON holds an emergency General Meeting on Friday, June 28, 2013, with a view to electing new Trustees and Officers that would steer the Association positively and provide meaningful leadership of the Association.
It is hoped this would be the re-birth of a purposeful AON that will enjoy the respect of Government and all stakeholders and would join in national discuss on matters that affect the aviation industry and the nation as a whole.
A research into the past of AON revealed that the Board of Trustees at the time of incorporation on 29th November,1996 comprised the following:
1. Chief. E. A. Omokhodion
2. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu
3. Chief Arthur Eze
4. Capt. Augustine Okon
5. Flt. Lt. M. U. Salisu (Rtd)
6. Alhaji Rabiu I. Rabiu
7. Mr. Kayode Odukoya
8. Capt. I. Wada
9. Capt. Bill Ruffin
10. Mr. K. Olubadewo
11. Capt. Mohammed Joji.
The Board of Trustees as at April 26,2002 when the last general meeting was held were made up of the following:
1. Dr. Steve Mahonwu
2. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu
3. Mr. Oscar Ikuemesi
4. Capt. Augustine Okon
5. Garba Shittu
6. Savannah Airlines
7. Mr. Kayode Odukoya
8. Capt. Idris Inuwa Wada
9. Capt. Shirish Raval
10. Engr. Mike Onwuka
11. Capt. Mohammed Joji
In another development, published in the daily Times of Friday,6,June, the following personalities were also as members of the Board of Trustees:
1. Chief Elisha Abumere Omokhodion
2. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu
3. Chief Arthur Eze
4. Flt. Lt. M. U. Salisu (Rtd)
5. Capt. Bill Ruffin
6. Mr. Sunday Kayode Olubadewo
It very clear from the List of the Board of Trustees of AON as filed and obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission, that majority of the good fellows listed as Trustees of the Association, with due respect no longer have Aviation and Airline business as their primary areas of interest.
Most respectfully said, these gentlemen due to no fault of theirs cannot represent the best interest of the airline industry despite their good intentions. They are completely absolved of blame. Rather, if any office is to be indicted, it should be that of the Executive Secretary now turned the Secretary General of the AON, for failure of its core responsibility to effectively oversee the day to day running of the association business.
Based on the foregoing facts and in the overall interest of AON, Aviation safety and progress of the Aviation Industry and the Nation as a whole, you will agree that the current Board of the Association must be dissolved urgently so that we can have a re-birth.