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|title=NCAA
|title=NCAA
|publisher=Commonwealth of Nations
|publisher=Commonwealth of Nations
|accessdate=2011-05-24}}</ref><ref name=removal>{{cite web
|accessdate=2011-05-24}}</ref>.On the Febuary 18, 2013 the NAAPE<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201303120543.html
|url=//http://naape-ng.org/
|title=Demuren sacked as NCAA DG
|title=History of NAAPE
|publisher=NAAPE
|work=Vanguard
|accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref> published an open letter to the [[President of Nigeria]] calling for Demuren's dissmal.<ref>{{cite web
|date=11 March 2013
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref> .
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)

|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>


The letter insist that Dr. Demuren had not had any relevant work experience for ’15 years’ prior to his appointment as DG . The letter goes further to detail the abuse of power and 'conflict of interest.'<ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>. On March 11 2013, Demuren was sacked by President [[Goodluck Jonathan]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-sacks-demuren-director-general-ncaa/141885/
|title=FG Sacks Demuren, Director General NCAA
|publisher=This Day
|accessdate=2013-03-12}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://vanguardngr.com/2013/03/demuren-sacked-as-nca-d-g/
|title=Demuren sacked as NCAA D-G
|publisher=Vanguard
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref> A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Sam Nwaobasi, said the decision was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan after “a careful consideration” of Demuren’s “unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the aviation sector.”<ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://africansearchlight.com/?p=10607
|title=FG may prosecute sacked NCAA Boss Demuren
|publisher=African SearchLight
|accessdate=2013-03-12}}</ref> . Before his sack, Demuren had been long been over due for retirement as his tenure as the DG had expired.<ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-sacks-demuren-director-general-ncaa/141885/
|title=FG Sacks Demuren, Director General NCAA
|publisher=This Day
|accessdate=2013-03-12}}</ref>.<ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/43433/2012/12/25/dana_crash_demuren_fall_guy.html
|title=Dana Crash: Demuren The Fall Guy
|publisher= Leadership
|accessdate=2013-12-25}}</ref>
==Education==
==Education==


Line 41: Line 73:
==Professional career==
==Professional career==


[[Image:DemurenNCAATeamInspection.JPG|thumb|300px|left| Dr. Demuren (middle) leading NCAA Team conducting a routine ramp safety inspection at a Nigerian Airport.]]He was recruited from the United States of America to join the [[Federal Ministry of Aviation]], Nigeria in 1976 as Senior Airworthiness Surveyor and rose to become Assistant Director, Airworthiness in June 1989. On the creation of the defunct Federal Civil Aviation Authority in 1990, he was appointed Deputy Director Air Transport, Economic Regulations and Licensing. He rose to become the Director Safety Services in 1991. In August 1995, He was “forced” into retirement because of his strict adherent to Safety after a Government “restructuring” exercise.
[[Image:DemurenNCAATeamInspection.JPG|thumb|300px|left| Dr. Demuren (middle) leading NCAA Team conducting a routine ramp safety inspection at a Nigerian Airport.]]He was recruited from the United States of America to join the [[Federal Ministry of Aviation]], Nigeria in 1976 as Senior Airworthiness Surveyor and rose to become Assistant Director, Airworthiness in June 1989. On the creation of the defunct Federal Civil Aviation Authority in 1990, he was appointed Deputy Director Air Transport, Economic Regulations and Licensing. He rose to become the Director Safety Services in 1991.


==Dismissal from FCAA==
After retirement, he worked as Aviation Consultant and later formed Afrijet Airlines in 1998. Afrijet Airlines became one of the biggest Cargo Airline in the country by 2005 servicing various cargo destinations on the Continent.<ref>{{cite web
In 1995, Dr Demuren was the director of Safety Services with NCAA (then FCAA). Demuren carefully escaped out of the country in 1995 to avoid being jailed for serious fraudulent activities in the defunct FCAA. The then Minister of Aviation, then Air Commodor Nsikak Eduok.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrijet_Airlines
|url=//http://www.nigerianairforce.net/nigerianairforce/PastChiefs/AirMarshalEduok.
|title=Afrijet
|title= PastChiefs
|publisher=Wikipedia
|publisher=nigerianairforce
|accessdate=2011-5-24}}</ref> The airline also had strategic alliances with foreign partners including MK Airlines U.K. and Panalpina World Transport (Nigeria) Limited which expanded cargo aircraft operations and freight services from Europe (Luxembourg, London, Ostend, Munich, etc) to Nigeria (Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt) and to other major African cities including Nairobi, Kinshasa, Accra, Johannesburg, Malabo, etc. In addition to operating cargo services from Nigeria, the airline also operated passenger flights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.<ref>{{cite web
|accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref> vowed to ensure his prosecution, against all entreaties. It was only after Eduok left office that Dr. Demuren returned to the country <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.flyafrijet.com/Partners.aspx
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|title=Afrijet Airlines - Partners
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Afrijet Airlines
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2011-5-24}}</ref>
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>

==Afrijet==
After his dissmisal, he worked as an Aviation Consultant and joined [[Afrijet Airlines]] in 1998. Afrijet was already established as a British, Company based in, [[Fairoaks Airport]] and later extended to [[Lagos, Nigeria]]
<ref>"Directory:World airlines." ''[[Flight International]]''. 16–22 March 2004. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200055.html?search=%22Air%20Ukraine%22 53].</ref>


He was the Managing Director/Chief Executive of [[Afrijet Airlines]] until he was appointed [[Director-general|Director General]] of the [[Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority]] in late December 2005.<ref name=ncaa/>
He was the Managing Director/Chief Executive of [[Afrijet Airlines]] until he was appointed [[Director-general|Director General]] of the [[Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority]] in late December 2005.<ref name=ncaa/>
Line 59: Line 96:
|work=Daily Champion
|work=Daily Champion
|date=21 January 2011
|date=21 January 2011
|accessdate=2011-05-24}}</ref>. Before his departure from Afrijet Airlines a lot of controversy surrounding currency exchange manipulations. The comments of Deloitte auditors to Afrijet Airline and their subsequent re-drawl from handling the Afrijet account with regards to Dr. Demuren's tenure particulary the company 2005 account where the hangar accounts were transferred to the personal account.'In the open letter petition to the ((president of Nigeria it is stated that '(Demuren)changed all particulars of the hangar from Afrijet to Evergreen of which he (Demuren) is the Chairman and his son, the CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|accessdate=2011-05-24}}</ref>.
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>. NAAPE touched on this to their petition to the President. This part of the controversy of exchange of foreign currency paid to Afrijet. An exchange with Dana group ([[Dana Air]]) through Broadbank now part of Union Bank <ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>

According to factual reports provided to the [[President of Nigeria]]. Dr. Demuren was invited was invited three times to [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]]<ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>. After Demuren pulled out of Afrijet on his appointmnet he teamed up with DANA group ([[Dana Air]]) and assisted them in the set up of [[Dana Air]] as DG NCAA <ref>{{cite web
|url=//http://saharareporters.com/press-release/looming-flight-safety-crisis-nigeria-occasioned-ncaa%E2%80%99s-non-compliance-icao-standard-an
|title=Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA’s Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)
|publisher=Sahara Reporters
|accessdate=2013-02-19}}</ref>


==Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority==
==Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority==
Line 109: Line 163:
|accessdate=2011-05-24}}</ref>
|accessdate=2011-05-24}}</ref>


=== Dana Air Crash ===
==Dana Air Crash==
Dana Air Flight 992 a scheduled commercial passenger flight from [[Abuja]] to [[Lagos]], Nigeria. On Sunday, 3 June 2012, the aircraft crashed into a furniture works and printing press building in the Iju-Ishaga neighbourhood of Lagos.<ref name=Time56>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2116497,00.html|title=|author=Jon Gambrell|date=5 June 2012|work=Time|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=4 June 2012}}</ref> The crash, believed to have been caused by dual engine failure and subsequent forced landing,<ref name="AIB Report" /> resulted in the deaths of all 153 people on board, as well as approximately ten deaths and an unknown number of injuries to people on the ground.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120603-0|title=Aviation Safety Network|date=}}</ref> It is the the second-deadliest aviation accident involving a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, behind [[Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308|Inex-Adria Flight 1308]], and the second-deadliest on Nigerian soil, behind the [[Kano air disaster]]in 1973.
Following 6 years of perfect record in aviation safety, on June 3 2012, [[Dana Air Flight 992]] crashed in the Iju-Ijesha neighborhood of Lagos resulting in loss of 153 people on board.<ref>{{cite web

|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Air_Flight_992
Although, it is widely speculated the the crash was due to dual engine failure Dr. Demuren suggested otherwise. In an interview Demuren stated that it was a 'human error' that caused the crash, adding that about 80 per cent of air accidents are caused by human error.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Dana Air Flight 992
|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/dana-air-plane-crash-blamed-on-human-error/139379/
|publisher=Wikipedia
|title=Dana Air Plane Crash Blamed on Human Error
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref> The air accident investigation kicked off right after by the [[Accident_Investigation_Bureau_(Nigeria)|Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB)]] of Nigeria with support from the [[NTSB|National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)]] of the USA. The [[Flight Data Recorder]] (FDR), also known as the “Black Box”, was sent for analysis to the United States with a team of investigators from the AIB.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201206060329.html
|title=FG Grounds Dana Air as Probe Team heads for US
|work=ThisDay
|work=ThisDay
|author=Chinedu Eze
|date=6 June 2012
|date=13 Febuary 2013
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref> A joint committee made up of politicians from both the Senate and House of Assembly of Nigeria was set up by the federal government to investigate the crash.<ref>{{cite web
|accessdate=2013-02-13}}</ref>
|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Air_Flight_992
|title=Dana Air Flight 992
|publisher=Wikipedia
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref> While investigation was still going on, there were several controversial reports that came up from allegations blaming the age and maintenance records of the aircraft to inadequate levels and contamination of fuel used.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://saharareporters.com/article/dana-air-crash-morning-after-and-what-next%E2%80%A6
|title=Dana Air Crash; The Morning After and What next …?
|work=Sahara Reporters
|date=5 June 2012
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref> On February 11 2013, the [[Wall Street Journal]] released a report which showed that the [[NTSB]] found the cause to be human error.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323511804578298311522137492.html
|title=Human Error seen in Nigeria Air Crash
|work=Wall Street Journal
|author=Andy Pasztor and Drew Hinshaw
|date=11 February 2013
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref>


==Bribery Allegations==
=== End of an Era ===
On the 21st of June 2010, Dr Harold Demuren was questioned by the [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]]. A petition against Demuren alleged that the NCAA boss bought the latest models of Toyota Camry and Prado Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) for some members of the [[National Assembly]]. He was questioned over a $1.4 million and an additional $100,000 he took from the [[Federal Government of Nigeria]] for the repair of an aircraft, with no proof of the job being done. He was also questioned on the award of several contracts without due process, while most of the contracts were inflated. <ref>{{cite web
On March 11 2013, the federal government decided to take action on the action from the politically motivated committees which recommended that due to the age of aircraft and lack of maintenance causing the crash, the DG of NCAA should be removed. The statement released cited 'unsatisfactory response to stakeholders'.<ref name=removal/> Following the announcement, various stakeholders all across the aviation industry voiced their grievances as to why a national hero who have kept the airspace safe for over 7 years and helped Nigeria attain category 1 amongst other accomplishments was unfairly treated.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.punchng.com/news/stakeholders-react-to-demurens-removal/
|url=http://newafricanpress.com/2010/06/26/demurenncaa-boss-quizzed-by-efcc/
|title=DEMUREN,NCAA BOSS QUIZZED BY EFCC
|title= Stakeholders react to Demuren’s removal
|work=Punch
|work=newafricanpress.com
|author=Martha Eigbefoh
|date=12 March 2013
|date=26 June 2010
|accessdate=2013-3-15}}</ref>
|accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref>


==Notable Achievements==
==Notable Achievements==
Line 209: Line 247:
• Laid the foundation of the National Civil Aviation Policy for [[Nigeria]]<ref name=iata/>
• Laid the foundation of the National Civil Aviation Policy for [[Nigeria]]<ref name=iata/>


• Longest serving Director General of [[Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority]] (NCAA) – Dec 2005 to Mar 2013<ref name=ncaa/><ref name=removal/>
• Longest serving Director General of [[Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority]] (NCAA) – Dec 2005 to Present<ref name=ncaa/>


• 1st and only [[Africa]]n Member in the Board of Governors of [[Flight Safety Foundation]] – 2003 to Present<ref name=iata/><ref name=fsf>{{cite web
• 1st and only [[Africa]]n Member in the Board of Governors of [[Flight Safety Foundation]] – 2003 to Present<ref name=iata/><ref name=fsf>{{cite web

Revision as of 15:56, 15 March 2013

Dr. Harold Demuren
Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
In office
29 December 2005 – 11 March 2013
Preceded byEngr. Fidelis Onyeyiri
Succeeded byCapt. Fola Akinkuotu
Personal details
Born (1945-05-31) 31 May 1945 (age 79)
Ogun State, Nigeria
SpouseOsaretin Afusat Demuren
Alma materMassachusetts Institute of Technology
ProfessionAeronautical Engineer

Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren (born May 31, 1945 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria) is an Aeronautical Engineer. He was Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority from December 2005 to March 2013.[1].On the Febuary 18, 2013 the NAAPE[2] published an open letter to the President of Nigeria calling for Demuren's dissmal.[3]

The letter insist that Dr. Demuren had not had any relevant work experience for ’15 years’ prior to his appointment as DG . The letter goes further to detail the abuse of power and 'conflict of interest.'[4]. On March 11 2013, Demuren was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan.[5] [6] [7] A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Sam Nwaobasi, said the decision was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan after “a careful consideration” of Demuren’s “unsatisfactory response to the numerous concerns of stakeholders in the aviation sector.”[8] . Before his sack, Demuren had been long been over due for retirement as his tenure as the DG had expired.[9].[10]

Education

He attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School from January 1958 to December 1964 where he obtained Cambridge Higher School Certificate (HSC) and General Certificate of Education (GCE Advanced Level) in 1964. In 1965, he won a Soviet Union Government scholarship to study Aeronautical Engineering in the former USSR. He obtained Diploma in Russian Language at the Moscow State University, Moscow, USSR (1965–1966). He proceeded to Kiev Institute of Aviation Engineers, Kiev in former Soviet Union where he obtained Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering (M.Sc.) in 1972 and then to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. for his Doctor of Science D.Sc. in Aircraft Gas Turbine & Jet Propulsion Engines (1975).[1]

His research work was on the Aerodynamic Design, Manufacturing and Testing of High Temperature, High Pressure Ratio Transonic Turbine Blades for advanced gas turbines and jet aircraft engines for the United States Air Force and Navy at the M.I.T. Gas Turbine and Jet Aircraft Propulsion Laboratory (1972–1974) and also a Joint experimental investigation with the Turbo-machinery Group of Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics at Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Belgium, a NATO Research Institute (1974–1975).[11]

Professional career

Dr. Demuren (middle) leading NCAA Team conducting a routine ramp safety inspection at a Nigerian Airport.

He was recruited from the United States of America to join the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria in 1976 as Senior Airworthiness Surveyor and rose to become Assistant Director, Airworthiness in June 1989. On the creation of the defunct Federal Civil Aviation Authority in 1990, he was appointed Deputy Director Air Transport, Economic Regulations and Licensing. He rose to become the Director Safety Services in 1991.

Dismissal from FCAA

In 1995, Dr Demuren was the director of Safety Services with NCAA (then FCAA). Demuren carefully escaped out of the country in 1995 to avoid being jailed for serious fraudulent activities in the defunct FCAA. The then Minister of Aviation, then Air Commodor Nsikak Eduok.[12] vowed to ensure his prosecution, against all entreaties. It was only after Eduok left office that Dr. Demuren returned to the country [13]

Afrijet

After his dissmisal, he worked as an Aviation Consultant and joined Afrijet Airlines in 1998. Afrijet was already established as a British, Company based in, Fairoaks Airport and later extended to Lagos, Nigeria [14]

He was the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Afrijet Airlines until he was appointed Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in late December 2005.[1] His appointment was later confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in February 2007 in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act of 2006 that stipulates the tenure of 5 years for the Director General of NCAA.[15]. Before his departure from Afrijet Airlines a lot of controversy surrounding currency exchange manipulations. The comments of Deloitte auditors to Afrijet Airline and their subsequent re-drawl from handling the Afrijet account with regards to Dr. Demuren's tenure particulary the company 2005 account where the hangar accounts were transferred to the personal account.'In the open letter petition to the ((president of Nigeria it is stated that '(Demuren)changed all particulars of the hangar from Afrijet to Evergreen of which he (Demuren) is the Chairman and his son, the CEO.[16]. NAAPE touched on this to their petition to the President. This part of the controversy of exchange of foreign currency paid to Afrijet. An exchange with Dana group (Dana Air) through Broadbank now part of Union Bank [17]

According to factual reports provided to the President of Nigeria. Dr. Demuren was invited was invited three times to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission[18]. After Demuren pulled out of Afrijet on his appointmnet he teamed up with DANA group (Dana Air) and assisted them in the set up of Dana Air as DG NCAA [19]

Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority

In late 2005, there was a loss of confidence in air travel and apathy in the aviation industry as two fatal air disasters in a span of 7 weeks left the nation mourning. The two incidents were Bellview Airlines flight 210 that killed all 117 people on board on October 22, and Sosoliso Airlines flight 1145 that killed 105 of 108 passengers, including 61 students from Loyola Jesuit College on December 10, 2005.

Dr. Demuren (left) receiving US FAA Category One Certification from former US Ambassador to Nigeria Robin Sanders (right) on August 23, 2010 in Nigeria

Following these tragic events, the Federal Government sought Dr. Demuren to head the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as its Director General in late December 2005 to revamp, reposition and restore confidence in domestic air travel.[1] After his appointment, Demuren immediately took on the challenge of reforming the Nigerian Aviation sector and restoring the lost confidence to the Industry drawing up a strategic short, medium and long term plan anchored on Safety, Security and Satisfaction (consumer) in that order of priority. Dr. Demuren introduced a safety reform Agenda which enthroned professionalism, integrity and transparency in the conduct of Aviation business.[11]

Christmas Day Bomber

In December 2009, Demuren was first to provide vital information to the public on facts leading to Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab's failed attempt as the "Christmas Day Bomber". These included how Farouk bought his ticket in Accra, Ghana on KLM Airlines, proceeded on December 24 through the normal screening and check-in process, and had his US Visa scanned through the Advance Passenger Information System which returned a "no-objection". Demuren also defended the Nigerian Airport security system by promptly providing information and footage, demonstrating the advance security and technological solutions deployed in Nigeria. The global community was astonished at the degree of detail and depth of the information provided by a so-called 3rd world country in contrast to its reputation for chaos and mediocrity. Interestingly, Schipol, Amsterdam Airport, Farouk's transit port, was unable to detect any irregularity during the security screening process.[20] Following this incident and in order to enhance safety and security, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos became one of the first worldwide to deploy Full Body scanners and Explosive Detection Systems.[21]

File:DemurenGonzalezICAOAssembly.jpg
Dr. Demuren (left) with ICAO Council President, Robert Gonzalez (right), presiding as President of the 37th ICAO General Assembly in Montreal, Canada in October 2010.

US FAA Category One Certification

On August 23, 2010, under the leadership of Dr. Demuren and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria attained American Federal Aviation Administration International Aviation Safety Assessment (FAA IASA) Category One Certification. This allows direct flights from Nigeria to Continental United States (USA).[22] Prior to his appointment in 2005, there were no direct flights between Nigeria and USA. There are now several direct flights between Nigeria and U.S. destinations including Atlanta, New York and Washington D.C., with services to Houston to begin in November 2011.[23]

President of ICAO General Assembly

On September 28, 2010, Demuren was elected as the President of the 37th General Assembly of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) held in Montreal, Canada from 28 September to 8 October 2010. The appointment was unanimously endorsed by all the delegates of the 190 contracting states of the ICAO.[24] His emergence made history as the first time an African was elected to preside over the ICAO General Assembly, the United Nations global aviation agency. The assembly passed landmark policies on global Aviation Safety, Aviation Security and the Environment for the Industry. It was at this notable assembly that the historic Climate Change agreement was reached.[25]

Dana Air Crash

Dana Air Flight 992 a scheduled commercial passenger flight from Abuja to Lagos, Nigeria. On Sunday, 3 June 2012, the aircraft crashed into a furniture works and printing press building in the Iju-Ishaga neighbourhood of Lagos.[26] The crash, believed to have been caused by dual engine failure and subsequent forced landing,[27] resulted in the deaths of all 153 people on board, as well as approximately ten deaths and an unknown number of injuries to people on the ground.[28] It is the the second-deadliest aviation accident involving a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, behind Inex-Adria Flight 1308, and the second-deadliest on Nigerian soil, behind the Kano air disasterin 1973.

Although, it is widely speculated the the crash was due to dual engine failure Dr. Demuren suggested otherwise. In an interview Demuren stated that it was a 'human error' that caused the crash, adding that about 80 per cent of air accidents are caused by human error.[29]

Bribery Allegations

On the 21st of June 2010, Dr Harold Demuren was questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. A petition against Demuren alleged that the NCAA boss bought the latest models of Toyota Camry and Prado Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) for some members of the National Assembly. He was questioned over a $1.4 million and an additional $100,000 he took from the Federal Government of Nigeria for the repair of an aircraft, with no proof of the job being done. He was also questioned on the award of several contracts without due process, while most of the contracts were inflated. [30]

Notable Achievements

Dr. Demuren (left) receiving the 2011 IATA African Aviation "Personality of the Year" Award from IATA President John Tyler in Morocco in Nov 2011.

• 2011 IATA African Aviation "Personality of the Year" – Nov 2011[31]

• 2010 Flight Safety Foundation "Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award" - Nov 2010[32]

• 1st African to be elected President of ICAO General Assembly - Sept 2010[24]

• Obtained U.S. FAA Category 1 Certification for Nigeria (6th African Country) - Aug 2010[22]

• Led Nigeria to successfully complete the ICAO Universal Safety Audit - 2006, 2008 & 2010[11]

• Led Nigeria to successful completion of the Aviation Security Audit of Murtala Mohammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport by the United States of American Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010[11]

• Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society – 2008[33]

• Fellow of Nigeria Academy of Engineering – 2008[34]

• Fellow of the Chartered Engineers (UK)[34]

• 2008 Thisday Awards "Regulator of the Year" - 2008[35]

Dr. Demuren (left) with TSA Assistant Administrator, John Halinski (right), after signing a US/Nigeria Security Pact at the TSA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia in June 2011

• Launched the IATA E-ticket / Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) regime which revolutionized the Air travel industry in Nigeria – 2008[34]

• Strived for the rapid passage of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Autonomy Bill into Law - 2006[11]

• Implementing the Cape Town Convention replacing Old-Age Aircrafts in Nigeria - 2006[36]

• Re-established confidence in the Nigerian traveling public and international community after the tragic Air disasters of 2005[11]

• Introduced a new Civil Aviation Safety Regulations that ensured Safety Oversight of all aviation activities in Nigeria in compliance ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).[11]

• Laid the foundation of the National Civil Aviation Policy for Nigeria[11]

• Longest serving Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) – Dec 2005 to Present[1]

• 1st and only African Member in the Board of Governors of Flight Safety Foundation – 2003 to Present[11][37]

• President, Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) West Africa – 2003 to Present[11][37]

• Co-Founder of Afrijet Airlines (1998)[11]

Family

Demuren has been married to Osaretin Afusat Demuren since 1973. They met for the first time as students in the former Soviet Union in 1969. They got engaged in Moscow, and later got married in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1973. Mrs. Demuren, also a professional record achiever herself, rose to become the 1st Female Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1999 and retired from the Apex Bank after 33 years of service in 2009.[38] They have several children and grand-children.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "NCAA". Commonwealth of Nations. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  2. ^ "History of NAAPE". NAAPE. Retrieved 2012-07-02. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ "FG Sacks Demuren, Director General NCAA". This Day. Retrieved 2013-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  6. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ "Demuren sacked as NCAA D-G". Vanguard. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ^ "FG may prosecute sacked NCAA Boss Demuren". African SearchLight. Retrieved 2013-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  9. ^ "FG Sacks Demuren, Director General NCAA". This Day. Retrieved 2013-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  10. ^ "Dana Crash: Demuren The Fall Guy". Leadership. Retrieved 2013-12-25. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Harold Demuren". IATA. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  12. ^ "PastChiefs". nigerianairforce. Retrieved 2009-01-01. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  13. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  14. ^ "Directory:World airlines." Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. 53.
  15. ^ "The fight for Demuren's seat unhealthy – Stakeholders". Daily Champion. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  16. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  17. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  18. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  19. ^ "Looming Flight Safety Crisis In Nigeria Occasioned By NCAA's Non Compliance With ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPS)". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  20. ^ Kelvin Osa-Okunbor (27 December 2010). "How Farouk checked in from Lagos". The Nation. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  21. ^ "Nigeria to equip airports with body scanners". Google. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  22. ^ a b "U.S. Ambassador congratulates NCAA's Demuren on Nigeria's Category 1 Air Safety Rating". U.S. Embassy. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  23. ^ "Continental Airlines receives Approval to offer Lagos, Nigeria Service for Sale". Business Wire. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  24. ^ a b Lateef Lawal (16 October 2010). "ICAO Elects NCAA DG, Harold Demuren 1st African President". Nigeria Masterweb Daily News. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  25. ^ Martha Eigbefoh (12 November 2008). "Demuren emerges ICAO first African President". ThisDay. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  26. ^ Jon Gambrell (5 June 2012). Time. Associated Press http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2116497,00.html. Retrieved 4 June 2012. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ Cite error: The named reference AIB Report was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ^ "Aviation Safety Network".
  29. ^ Chinedu Eze (13 Febuary 2013). "Dana Air Plane Crash Blamed on Human Error". ThisDay. Retrieved 2013-02-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Martha Eigbefoh (26 June 2010). "DEMUREN,NCAA BOSS QUIZZED BY EFCC". newafricanpress.com. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  31. ^ "IATA crowns Demuren as African Aviation Personality of the Year". Nigerian Compass. 25 Nov 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  32. ^ "Safety Award Presented to African Visionary". Flight Safety Foundation. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  33. ^ Wole Shadare (London) (12 Nov 2008). "UK aviation body to assist Nigeria on air safety". Nigerian Best Forum. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  34. ^ a b c Rotimi Durojaiye (7 May 2011). "Aviation – Engine of the Country's Economic Growth - Demuren". Daily Independent (Lagos). Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  35. ^ "Demuren wins Thisday Regulator of the Year 2008 Award". Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  36. ^ "Nigeria signs Cape Town Convention". Commonwealth of Nations. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  37. ^ a b "Flight Safety Foundation – Board of Governors". Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
  38. ^ Funke Oloade (20 March 2010). "First Female Director – Smooth Climb to the Top". Thisday. Retrieved 2011-05-24.

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