Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu has come out with a symbolic declaration that the security force that he heads has a symbolic relationship with sports, in the sense that they both imbibe the values of discipline, teamwork and excellence.

Sports247 reports that IGP Disu gave the analogy while formally receiving Team Nigeria athlete from the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Nathaniel Ezekiel, who won the competition’s men’s 400m hurdles gold medal.

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Disu added during the official reception of the athlete, who is a corporal in Nigeria Police Force (NPF), at the headquarters in Abuja that Nathaniel’s victory is a reminder of what security personnel can do when provided with the necessary platform and support to excel.

While restating that Nathaniel’s feat underscores the longstanding relationship between the police and sports, Disu added that the achievement further strengthens the possibility of security persoennel excelling simultaneously in their professional duties and sporting careers.

He then assured police personnel with sporting talents that the NPF will continue to support them, while also promising to identify, nurture and celebrate talents within its ranks in order to continue churning out heroes and heroines for Nigeria on the international scene.

The IGP, who disclosed that he was also once a sportsman, further affirmed that another aspect of Nathaniel’s achievement which he was particularly glad and proud about is that the athlete-officer has brought honour to himself, his family, his colleagues, the NPF and Nigeria as a whole.

Disu expatiated, “As a sportsman myself, I take particular pride in this achievement. Corporal Ezekiel Nathaniel, you have honoured your uniform, your Force and your country. Congratulations, and may this be the first of many more victories to come.

“I want Corporal Ezekiel Nathaniel, and every officer watching, to know that this Force will continue to invest in and support police sports. We will keep identifying, nurturing and celebrating talent within our ranks, because a Force that is strong in body and spirit is a Force that serves the nation better.

“The Nigeria Police Force and sports (are) bound together by shared values of discipline, teamwork and excellence. This victory is a powerful reminder of that bond, and of what our personnel can achieve when given the platform and support to thrive both in service and in competition.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured passengers that airport operations will continue despite the ongoing industrial action by aviation unions.

FAAN, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said it was working with aviation agencies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to minimise the impact of the industrial action and ensure that airport operations were not disrupted.

The authority said it was closely monitoring developments and remained committed to maintaining safe, secure and orderly operations at Nigeria’s airports.

The assurance comes after the industrial action disrupted flight operations earlier on Tuesday, with some airlines suspending or rescheduling services following restrictions on access to airport terminals in Lagos and Abuja.

Air Peace, Enugu Air, and United Nigeria Airlines announced operational disruptions, affecting some passengers with flights suspended or rescheduled.

The action followed grievances by aviation unions over the alleged restriction of workers’ freedom to unionise and the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) collected from passengers.

The unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress backing the action.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director-General, Chris Najomo, urged the unions to suspend the industrial action pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who the regulator said was working to resolve the dispute.

The NCAA appealed to all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved and that normal flight operations would be restored as soon as practicable. The regulator also assured passengers that flight safety had not been compromised and that it continued to discharge its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.

FAAN moves to minimise disruption

FAAN said it recognised the legitimate role of organised labour and supported efforts by Mr Keyamo and other stakeholders towards an amicable resolution of the dispute.

“In the interim, FAAN is working closely with the relevant aviation agencies, airlines, security agencies and other stakeholders to minimise the impact of the industrial action and ensure that airport operations are not disrupted,” the authority said.

The authority also said earlier operational challenges affecting the movement of some flights within the airside environment had been addressed through ongoing inter-agency coordination.

It said measures were being sustained to support the orderly continuation of flight operations.

“FAAN remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s airports remain safe, secure, functional and accessible to passengers and other airport users,” it said.

FAAN advised passengers to remain calm and maintain contact with their respective airlines for real-time information about their flights.

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The authority said it remained confident that ongoing engagements under the minister’s leadership would lead to a speedy and mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute.

It also appreciated passengers for their understanding and patience amid the disruption.

The latest assurance comes as airlines continue to adjust their operations in response to the industrial action, with passengers advised to confirm their flight status with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport.

FAAN said its priority remained maintaining safe, secure and functional airports while efforts to resolve the dispute between the unions, airlines and government continue.