THE MAN UMAR AHMED FAROUK.
By Helen Udoh ,Outlook Media ABUJA.
Meet Umar Ahmed Farouk, the substantive Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency -NAMA courtesy of the benevolence of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -GCFR sequel to Farouk’s vast wealth of experience in the aviation sector. His recent appointment is one of the many feathers to his cap which has distinguished him from other public servants in recent times.
Umar Ahmed Farouk is an Engineer by profession. His industrial versatility and career exposure outlived decades with operational base across Nigeria, UK, Europe and several other continents of the world. Farouk as mostly called is an asset to Nigeria and the envy of several nations. His dexterity speaks volume of his nationality. In the aspect of ethical virtues and psychological potencies, Farouk has an unbeatable record to his name. Little wonder they say, “a golden fish has no hiding place”.
Umar Ahmed Farouk has an enviable educational background rooting from Government Science Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State, Sokoto State Polytechnic where he obtained National Diploma and a Higher National Diploma in 1985 and 1988 respectively. He also bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna -Niger State. He also has in his kitty a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Lagos State University in 1999 with another Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2009. He was born on the 18th of January 1964
Since 2002 when Farouk was absorbed into the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency -NAMA, he has held several managerial positions including; Minna Airport General Manager, Procurement Manager, Airspace Manager as well as Special Project, Kano Region. Farouk’s circle of ethical traits interweaves unquestionably with his industrial successes and lifetime accomplishments. His exceptional ability to multitask and his relatable tenacity to solve problems without apportioning blames to his subordinates primes him suitable than others for the directorial appointment he occupies.
Amongst the countless and indelible footprints of Farouk in both the Engineering and Aviation Industries in Nigeria are the Stand-Alone High Powered Jotron Radios in Lagos and Kano Area Control Centres, the deployment of the Instrument Landing System -ILS at the Kanu International Airport, Doppler Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range -DVOR at the Mallam Aminu Kanu International Airport, the Incorporation of the several innovative programs and new technology to mitigate the deficiencies bedeviling the Airspace Navigation Service Advancement in the sector.
The Kebbi-born Aviator also served in a directorial capacity during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Safety Electronics and Engineering where upon his strategy and proficiency were massively felt in the aeronautical aspect of our economy.
As an Astute Professional wired with robust knowledge and inexhaustible wealth of experience in the Aviation sector, Farouk has not only repositioned NAMA but has also become the trending sensation in the country with numerous Awards of recognition including; the Fellowship Award of Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 2018 and the National Productivity Order of Merit Award conferred on him by Nigeria’s former President Mohammadu Buhari in 2019.
The crème de la crème of the Aerospace is a revered member of many professional bodies including; Member Chartered Institute of Supply, Purchase and Management; Member Chartered Institute of Administration -MCIA; Member Nigeria Society of Engineers -MNSE; Member Council for the Regulations of Engineers in Nigeria -MCOREN. With all of these feats, Farouk has proven his immense capacity and undebatable readiness to positively influence the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. As an high-profile personality in the Aviation Industry and the Managing Director of NAMA who is already hitting the ground running, Farouk is determined to leave no stone unturned in making sure that the aerospace sectoral stakeholders are Aviation Policy Protection and Promotion compliant.