October 12, (THEWILL) – The reappointment of Capt Ado Sanusi, as Aero Contractors Managing Director, by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has divided workers of the over 60-year-old airline.
THEWILL gathered that a section of the workers of the airline is not happy with the reappointment of Capt Ado Sanusi as MD. They are said to have sent a petition to the management, expressing their position on Sanusi’s return to the airline.
According to a source from the airline, the aggrieved petitioners had threatened Captain Ado Sanusi not to resume as the CEO, otherwise, the airline will shut down operations.
The petitioners also claimed that the pilots and engineers of the Airline are opposed to Ado Sanusi’s return and that they will not be pleased with his return.
But the President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Comrade Abednego Galadima told THEWILL on Wednesday evening that NAAPE is fully in support of Sanusi’s return.
“NAAPE is not part of any petition and won’t be. We warmly welcome Capt Ado Sanusi and wish him a successful tenure of office. I have personally called to congratulate him and assured him of our maximum support”, Comrade Galadima said.
Capt. Sanusi was reassigned by AMCON in 2020 to manage the Nigerian Eagle (NGE) carrier as part of the exit strategy of AMCON from Arik Air, while Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood was seconded from Arik Air to manage Aero Contractors in 2021.
Unfortunately due to the lingering issue connected with securing the Airline Operator Certificate (AOC) of NG Eagle and the failure of the airline to take off, AMCON has decided to reassign Capt. Sanusi back to Aero.
Aero Contractors has been in Receivership under AMCON since 2016 and is undergoing restructuring with the expectation of returning to scheduled services in the very near future.
Commenting on his reappointment, Capt. Sanusi said: “I am pleased to return to Aero Contractors to continue the job of repositioning the airline. I thank Capt. Mahmood for the wonderful job he has done in holding the fort.
“A lot needs to be done to make the airline stronger to be able to face future challenges. I look forward to the support of the staff and management of the airline including other stakeholders to make the airline great once again.”
About the Author
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.
