AN HISTORIC VISIT TO THE MM1 AIRPORT TOWER

I was privileged to visit the airport tower thank to a very good friend and brother. The yoruba’s have a say that “he who has people has everything,” that was exactly the manifestation of the saying on that beautiful day. 

Let me first say that only few people in their life time get to see what really goes on in the airport tower,not even the President. The President simply does not have the luxury of time to do so not that he does not have the authority to do so. It is a place worth visiting but unfortunately it is not open to the public because it is such a very sensitive office.

It was on the 26th October, 2016 I was on a visit to see my friend at the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. Unknowingly, it was to be the day i will be giving the rear access to this unique and historic office. My first encounter on that day was with a lady called “Chi-Chi” (the secretary) she was to lead me to my host’s office. However something funny happened at the first floor, i don’t normally allow people carry my bag but this lady insisted she has to carry it that if not her boss will not take it likely with her. To my surprise she dragged the bag out of my hand and insisted she has to carry it,i had to give up. She is indeed a fearless and determined lady, i guess that day i learnt a lesson that i cannot always have it my way. 

After concluding my brief meeting with host he decided to take me around to see the infrastructures and people behind the scene who make things happen within the airport premises but more importantly within the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency departments. At first i went to the communication office where all the behind-the-scene data of flights (both local and international) are gathered and channeled to the appropriate quarters. 

The next stop was the office for the database. I saw gigantic storage facilities with numerous cables in a well air-conditioned environment. Next was series of navigation across series of access routes that was strategically constructed and confusing. Offices linking to offices, corridors to corridors I guess it was designed such that it will be very difficult to figure out which place led to which. After about 10 minutes walk, there we are, vuhalahh! Its the Airport tower!!

At first, i was speechless because the view was breath-taking, I had a 360 degree view of the entire Airport space. You could see the airport activities clearly. It seem if a pin drop on the airport floor you could easily see it. So many gadgets, computers and other infrastructure to keep the airport safe and operation of flight seamless.

Kudos to the air traffic controllers’ and members of his team they are doing a great job.

My take home about the visit is that Nigerians are hard working people who are passionate about their job. They are patriotic, energetic, brilliant and are willing to give their best no matter what it takes. For those of us in the transportation industry we know the enormous sacrifice they are putting into their job to keep our airspace safe and make flight operation and flow seamless. We will continue to appreciate you guys!

My sincere appreciation to everyone who worked behind the scene and who continue to give their best to keep our aviation sector moving. To the crew of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency you guys are awesome. To members of staff of the Airport you guys are wonderful. It is not easy to keep one of Africa’s busiest airport running smoothly. Of course i cant forget “ChiChi” and my very good brother Engr. Emma Ajuju Ajuwa MNSE, MIAeng, MTPM (still counting) thanks for giving me a rear access, God bless you and see you at the top.