The memories of some of Nigeria’s most respected pioneers came alive in Kano as the late Adamu Dan Kabo, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Emir Usman Bin Abdullahi II, Sa’ad Sa’id, and Mallam Aminu Kano were posthumously honoured during the centenary celebration of the first aircraft landing in Nigeria.
The three-day event, held in Kano, was organised by the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre in partnership with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other aviation stakeholders. It celebrated a century of aviation history and paid tribute to individuals and institutions whose contributions helped shape the nation’s aviation sector.
In addition to the posthumous recognitions, several aviation veterans, institutions, and professionals received awards for excellence and efficiency in service. The event also spotlighted Nigeria’s aviation journey and the need to rekindle investment and innovation in the industry.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sa’id Sa’ad, Managing Director of the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre and Head of Planning and Coordination for the centenary celebration, said the initiative aimed to inspire renewed interest in aviation as a major driver of economic development.
“A properly harnessed aviation sector can create thousands of jobs not only in the North but across Nigeria,” Sa’ad said. “Since the first aircraft landed in Kano, we have had the opportunity to build on that legacy. The future is bright, we have the manpower, traffic, and capacity; all we need is to put our house in order.”
He noted that the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre is currently investing in human capacity development through mentorship programmes linking retired aviation professionals with young enthusiasts to nurture the next generation of aviators.
In a keynote lecture titled “100 Years of Nigerian Aviation: The Legacy of the Nigerian Air Force,” Flying Officers A. A. Sokoya and A. M. Ogunjemiyi traced the history of aviation in Nigeria from the first aircraft landing in Kano in 1925 to the creation of the Nigerian Air Force in 1964. They highlighted the role of aviation in advancing national security, technology, and economic growth, urging stronger synergy between civil and military aviation to boost the sector’s global competitiveness.
The centenary celebration featured lectures, interactive sessions, flight simulations, and a symbolic “passing of the baton” ceremony where veteran aviators handed over to younger professionals, symbolising a transfer of knowledge and legacy for the next hundred years of Nigerian aviation.
