Captain Olumide Lawal resigns from the NCAA, now Regional Technical Coordinator for Operations and Licensing for BAGASOO

Captain Olumide Lawal of The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority resigns from the NCAA, now Regional Technical Coordinator for Operations and Licensing for BAGASOO.

BAGASOO  is the Banjul Accord group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization.

On 29 January 2004 seven West African States namely Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone met in Banjul, Gambia to sign the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) Agreement. This agreement requires BAG member States to harmonise their policies and procedures on civil aviation and foster the development of international civil aviation through cooperative arrangements between the States.

Subsequently, in 2004, the seven BAG member States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Co-operative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Project for the Banjul Accord Group (COSCAP-BAG). The project was implemented under the ICAO Technical Cooperation Programme through assignment and technical back-stopping of internationally recruited experts in the fields of flight operations, airworthiness, flight Safety Regulations and aerdromes and regionally recruited inspectors, for carrying out safety oversight functions on behalf of the BAG member States.

At the recently concluded 14th Board of Directors meeting of BAGASOO, held at BAGASOO Secretariat, Abuja, the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Usman Muhtar Shuaibu, emerged the new chairman of the BAGASOO Board of Directors, with the Director General Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Abu Kamara as the vice chairman, for a term of one year subject to renewal for another term. (BAGASOO)

In November 2016, Captain Olumide Lawal resumes as the new Regional Technical Coordinator for Operations and Licensing for BAGASOO. The ever smiling astute regulator sure holds his own in the Aviation industry. A great force to reckon with. Little wonder why he has been offered this new role.

If you ask me to describe him, i would say, “Captain Olumide Lawal is a very meticulous and Firm Aviator! He is a professional to the core. Aptly put; A walking Nig.CAR’s”

Yesterday, being his last day at the office, it was my pleasure to hold this brief chat with him.

Career History

Capt. Olu Lawal started his flying at Nigeria Airways. Thereafter he worked at Saudi Arabian Airlines, EAS and the NCAA.

Transition from the Cockpit to a Regulator

“For me I knew what I was getting into. When you become a regulator, you don’t completely leave the cockpit, because you cannot checkout Pilots if you are not current on Aircraft type. Although we don’t fly commercial, but we still fly the simulator.”

How would you describe the experience?

“I have enjoyed working at the NCAA as a regulator. For me is like the icing on the cake from flying. Working here made me realize the whys of Training and the implications of not doing it. You don’t realize this bit as a line pilot. Is been exciting and interesting….I enjoy what I do. When you enjoy what you do then work becomes fun.’

People’s Perception- From my interactions with you, I see you as a very meticulous, and firm Aviator which may sometimes be misconstrued for being Rigid.  Some Aviators have this impression that you could be Rigid. Captain, are you rigid?

“Like you said is an impression. I am not rigid. I just like adhering to safety regulations, which is not to say I don’t see reasons when necessary. My duty as a regulator is to assist and guide operators and I try every possible means to ensure that. Where there are variations, i suggest alternative means of Compliance that will not be detrimental to safety.”

Obviously, you are still in the Aviation Sector, what differentiates your current role at NCAA to your new assignment at BAGASOO?

‘The only difference is that I will be dealing with respective CAAs of Members Countries and not directly with the Airline Operators. I am still working in cooperation with the NCAA though. So i am not completely divorced from NCAA .’

Wow! what can i say? Mamajsaviationblog wishes this Aviation Icon, the best on his new assignment. Congratulations!