FAAN, LASEMA Deepen Partnership on Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Response
Oru Leonard
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on emergency preparedness, disaster management and coordinated response operations.
Kuku gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of LASEMA, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, to the FAAN headquarters in Lagos.
She commended LASEMA for its continued support during emergency situations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, noting that the partnership between both agencies has significantly improved emergency response coordination and incident management in Lagos State.
According to the FAAN boss, the collaboration has remained strategic in the areas of emergency mock drills, disaster response exercises and safety management operations within airport environments.
Kuku also welcomed LASEMA’s proposal for FAAN’s participation in the proposed Lagos Institute of Disaster Management, an initiative being developed by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with Lagos State University, the International Organization for Migration and other institutions.
She, however, stressed that any training programme involving airport personnel must comply with the operational standards and regulatory frameworks of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.
The FAAN MD explained that the authority operates under strict aviation safety regulations, adding that participation in the proposed programmes would be subject to necessary approvals and compliance requirements.
Kuku further disclosed that FAAN already operates a structured emergency management system with designated Incident Commanders coordinating emergency operations across airport facilities.
To sustain engagement on the initiative, she named the South-West Regional Manager, Mr. Arewa Olatokunbo, as FAAN’s focal point for further discussions with LASEMA.
She reiterated FAAN’s commitment to sustaining its longstanding partnership with LASEMA in advancing emergency preparedness, coordinated response mechanisms and aviation safety management in line with global best practices.
Earlier, Oke-Osanyintolu said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between FAAN, LASEMA and the Lagos State Government in disaster management and emergency response.
He noted that LASEMA was seeking FAAN’s support and participation in the Lagos Institute of Disaster Management in recognition of the authority’s critical role in emergency management within the aviation sector.
