FORMER DG NCAA, ENGR. FIDELIS CHUKWUEMEKA ONYEYIRI IS DEAD

The management and entire staff of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) wishes to announce the passing to glory of their former Director General, Engr. Fidelis Chukwuemeka Onyeyiri.

He died on Sunday, 25th July, 2021.

Engr. Fidelis Chukwuemeka Onyeyiri was an accomplished public administrator and a renowned engineer.

Born on 29″‘ July 1948 in Anara in Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State. He had his early education at Llad Excellent Primary and Secondary School. He had his MBA at Enugu State University of Science & Technology and another Masters in Business and Management at the University of Abuja.

His aviation career began in 1969 with the defunct Nigerian Airways where he served as the Line Maintenance Engineer to Deputy Director, Engineering and Planning. Thereafter, he also joined services of EAS Airlines in 1995.

He took up appointment with the Directorate of Safety Regulation and Monitoring (DSRAM) as the Assistant General Manager (Airworthiness Approvals) which was then the regulatory arm of the Federal Ministry of Aviation now the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

During his tenure as the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Engr. Onyeyiri distinguished himself as an excellent manager of both human and material resources. He embarked on quite a number of landmark projects, including restructuring the NCAA; enforcement of compliance to safety rules (inspection, operation, certificate, licensing, monitoring and protection) for the overall interest of operators, passengers, and the general public.

His other achievements include the division of Directorates in NCAA. The Directorates are: Directorate of Air Transport Regulation (DATR); Directorate of Aerodrome and Air Space Standards (DAAS); Directorate of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS); Directorate of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards (DOLTS); Directorate of Administration and Corporate Affairs (DAC); and the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA). In addition,he initiated consumer interactive forum under the supervision of Consumer Protective Unit (CPU) educating the air travellers and operators on their rights and obligations to each other.Other achievements are the provision of Inspectors Handbook by NCAA; NCAA being scored 86% by ICAO’s Audit Panel; introduction of International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) recommendations for foreign carriers operating into the Country; and successful monitoring and supervision of rehabilitation works on runways at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. He also contributed to the publication and presentation of the following books: The Air Travelers Guide; The Consumer Digest; and Air Navigation Regulations among others.

Engr. Fidelis Onyeyiri, a determined, hardworking and strikler for excellence was happily married with children.