February 25, (THEWILL) –Â First female General Manager, Public Affairs of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, has successfully retired from the aviation agency, after 35 years of meritorious service.
She was given a grand reception on Friday by the staff of FAAN, which was elaborately celebrated at the Lagos office of the Authority.
Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Capt Rabiu Yadudu, applauded Mrs Yakubu, stating that FAAN will miss her worthy contributions to the aviation agency.
Describing Yakubu as a reliable and dedicated staff, Yadudu, said Mrs Yakubu has never lacked in her duty.
He said “I wish her all the best. She was very reliable and dedicated in the discharge of her duties. She never lacked in her duties. She has never been found wanting.”
The FAAN boss appreciated the retiree for being able to work very well even with little or no supervision, throughout her stay in the agency.
Also praising Mrs Yakubu for her meritorious service to FAAN, former Managing Director of FAAN, Engr Saleh Dunoma, affirmed that she has done very excellently.
“I started realising her potential when she came to Abuja. She has put in a lot of effort. She has done very excellently. I pray that she gets another appointment to enable her to contribute more to the country.”
Describing Yakubu as an Amazon, Director of Airport Operations, Engr Muktar Muye, stated “she is an Amazon. I call her Amazon because she is like a man. She is also very proactive.”
In her response, Yakubu thanked everyone that attended the send-off ceremony. She equally thanked the FAAN staff for their support, stating that without their support, she wouldn’t have been able to succeed.
She said “I was made GM, not because I was the best, but because of the grace of God.”
“I thank God for sustaining me. I couldn’t have made it without God. I have enjoyed his graciousness. I thank all the airport managers, directors and other staff of FAAN for helping me do the job. Without the cooperation of the MD, FAAN, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. I am so grateful”, she said.
The event was well attended by staff of FAAN and dignitaries including MD, SAHCO, Mr Basil Igboarumi; Director, Commercial and Business Development, Mr Sadiku Rafindadi, who represented Yadudu physically, General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB-N, Mr Tunji Oketunbi. There were also FAAN directors, GMs, DGMs, aviation union leaders and others.
Mrs Yakubu from Taraba State, a 1981 Sociology graduate of Bayero University, Kano, joined Nigeria Airports Authority (NAA), now Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in 1987.
She rose through the ranks and became the first female General Manager, Public Affairs. Before then, she had headed the public Affairs unit in Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, from 1999 to 2011.
She has also worked at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) from 2011 to 2016 after playing the role of Acting Manager, NAIA between 2015 to 2016.
She has won many awards to her credit, among which is the Ambassador of Christ.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
