October 03, (THEWILL) – The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) will today elect its national executive members at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The dramatis personae for election into the office of National President are Comrade Ahmadu Illitrus of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Comrade Ahmed Danjuma of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), both of who are holding senior management positions in the two agencies.
Other aspirants vying for executive positions at the poll include Comrades Emmanuel Jaja, Adekoya Olasupo Adegbola, Olaonipekun Olaniran and Tijani Ademola who are all gunning for the 1st two National Deputy President positions.
Equally, for the 2 National Vice President seats, the quadruple of Ayegbusi Olajide, Akingbogu Adekoya, Anthony Ogbuji and the only female contestant, Vera Egbukichi will slug it out to see those who clinched the posts.
Speaking ahead of the election, incumbent president, Comrade Illitrus said he is coming to consolidate on the massive achievements his administration has put in place in the last 4 years.
According to Illitrus, his administration has done a lot in most aspects of the workers’ welfare.
He said “you will be shocked to know that we have signed a record condition of service in the life of ATSSSAN within this period despite the challenges of COVID19. There were some of our affiliates that had no severance benefits in the last 10 years. No improvements on their CoS. We made promises to them which we achieved. We have signed with Arik Air, NCAT, SAHCO, Bi-Courtney, NCAA and others. I can go on and on, on the issue of the welfare of our members.
On debt settlements, Illitrus noted that his administration inherited N25 million liability with lots of staff issues unresolved.
He however, informed that “We have paid the debts as at today and we have resolved all the issues at our staff secretariat. We equally inherited the entitlement of two sessions of the national administrative officers that were left unpaid. We have paid the entitlement for the National officers for the last 4 years. If I leave ATSSSAN today, I am leaving free of all liabilities”.
Affirming his chances to return to the office, Illitrus said “I will be elected because my work speaks for me. Our people have seen what we have done and we have always run an all inclusive government. We will heal the wounds post election.”
In the same vein, Comrade Danjuma stated categorically that he has a 5 point agenda for aviation workers, if elected as the national president.
Listing the 5 point agenda, Danjuma pledged installation of democracy in ATSSSAN; Capacity building/training of members; rejuvenation/strengthening of ATSSSAN national secretariat; teamwork and restoration of ATSSSAN glory.
Danjuma also promised to strengthen all the branches in such a manner that they have a say on issues.
He said “It is our belief that if we democratise ATSSSAN, where issues of branches are taken seriously. We will go a long way in making a better ATSSSAN”.
He promised that all branches will be carried when issues concerning them are brought for settlements, just as he assured that his leadership will listen to superior arguments at all times.
“We want to rejuvenate and strengthen our national secretariat. ATSSSAN members are not happy how ATSSSAN is being run at the secretariat level. There are branches and units that are not given the opportunity to function” .
” We need to bring back the glory that ATSSSAN is known for in the industry. ATSSSAN has lost focus over this period. It is no longer the same. We need to bring back the strength the union has”.
Comrade Danjuma also promised to use dialogue, engagement and interactive measures to solve issues whenever any arises in any of their branches,adding that no leader can achieve success in isolation.
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.
