Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, (Nahco Aviance) has emerged overall winner in the Transportation & Aviation Industry category of the 2015/2016 edition of the Nigerian Risk Awards.

The award according to its spokesman, Tayo Ajakaye, is testimony to the company’s spirit of resilience and hard work.

He said the firm having emerged the runner-up in the last edition, took creative steps to clinch the award the next year.

NAHCO, he said, was  scored by the judges as the winner in a field that parades top brands.

In the words of Adewale Akinwale, Head, Enterprise Risk Management of the Company:”  NAHCO  earned this through our hard work and commitment to safety, efficiency and dedication towards improving our bottom-line revenue in the interest of our shareholders.”

“We had zero aircraft damages. We cut our cargo claims payment down from N53, 434,096.03 in 2014 to just N177, 356.78 in 2015. We achieved all these despite the threat of economic collapse due to 2015 general election fears, highly volatile foreign exchange rates which led to reductions in cargo volumes and passenger numbers, crippling fuel scarcity situations which grounded many organisations to a halt and in the face of an unethical industry competition”.

Meanwhile, NAHCO Free Trade Zone (NFZ), a subsidiary of the firm has announced the appointment of Arc Usman Arabi Bello as Chairman.

Bello, who was before now the Vice Chairman of the company, took over from Mr. Bolaji Balogun who retired in March.

A widely-travelled properly expert, Bello is also an administrator of repute.  His directional managerial responsibilities cover the consultancy consortium Ericon Bello & Associates and its subsidiary, Arabi Bello & Associates, where he is principal partner.

He sits on the boards of quite a number of companies including  HNB Security and  Protection Company Limited as Chairman;  Bello Group of Companies and ZycomSurveillance Inc.

Architect  Bello’s professional career in Architecture and other related fields has beenpurposeful and productive. A long standing member of the Nigeria Institute of Architects and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Bello has brought his own signature approach to the design and execution of buildings to enrich the built environment. His works are legion in parts of Nigeria notably Kaduna, Yola, Lagos and Abuja.

Bello had been with the NAHCO  Free Trade Zone since its establishment and has significantly contributed to its growth. His new assignment would enable him give focused guidance to the executive management of the company.

NFZ is a product of Nahco Aviance diversification strategy  which went full flare a few  years back.