NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Nigeria To Host Airport Council International Conference In 2010 By Lateef Lawal Nigeria is to host the 20th General Conference of the Airport Council International(ACI), Africa Region, September 19, 2010 at the Federal Capital, Abuja. This was announced yesterday by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), Mr Richard Aisuebeogun at the Presidential Lounge Press Center, Murlala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. He said President Umar Yar'Adua is expected to declare the event open. The FAAN boss who was with the Secretary General of ACI, Africa Region, Mr Ali Tounsi, said about 500 delegates are expected from member countries across Africa. The theme of the conference, according to Aisuebeogun is: "The Challenge of Safety, Security and Technology in Emergent Trend In Africa" with specialists on the field already on stand-by for the conference. He said Tounsi was in the country to inspect the level of preparedness of Nigeria(FAAN) for the hosting of the continental conference, especially the state of the facilities to be used. Aisuebeogun listed the benefits that Nigeria will derive from hosting the conference which is coming on the heels of the 50th Independence Anniversary of the country as: *Apart from putting Nigeria's name on the list of host countries, it will position the country better as a leader in the West Africa sub-region and Africa as a whole. *It will give a financial boost to the country's economy while many business concern will want to identify with the conference project through sponsorship of the various hosting programmes. *It will foster opportunity of strenthening non-aeronautical revenue stream for FAAN through relationships and prospects from the event,in addition to affording the Authority theopportunity of up-grading the facilities at the airports *Traffic and Tourism will get the greatest boost as foreign delegates will want to explore the natural resources that abound in the country *It will also create more awareness of the activities of ACI among policy makers, especially government officials and this will bring about positive changes and *Afford aviation suppliers of goods and services the opportunity to exihibit and showcase their products and services to the benefits of the industry. Posted by Lateef Lawal