AFRAA's new scribe assumes duty

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The new Secretary General of the Nairobi-based African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Dr Elijah Chingosho, has assumed office, an AFRAA statement made available to PANA said.

Dr. Chingosho took office at AFRAA's headquarters in the Kenyan capital on Saturday, taking over from Mr. Tewodros Tamrat who
has been acting in that capacity since 29 June last year, following the resignation of former Secretary-General Nick Fadugba.

The new scribe was appointed during the 42nd Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Association held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
21-23 November 2010.

Speaking after the handing over, Mr. Tamrat, who is the Director, Government, Corporate & Industry Affairs, congratulated Dr.
Chingosho on his appointment and wished him well.

He assured the new scribe of his personal unflinching support to ensure that AFRAA becomes a better organisation than it is now, and expressed his appreciation to the Executive Committee and 42nd AGA for appointing someone from within AFRAA to the high office of Secretary General for the first time in the Association’s history.

Mr Tamrat expressed his confidence that the new Secretary General will take “bold and pragmatic initiative in line with the clarion call for positive change at AFRAA by members and partners”, adding: “This is the only way he can justify the confidence reposed in him and move AFRAA to the next level.''

On his part, Dr Chingosho lauded Mr. Tamrat for successfully steering the affairs of AFRAA during the last six months of transition, saying: “Clearly, you have re-stabilised AFRAA and from now on, I can count on a united AFRAA.''

On the task ahead, Dr Chingosho said with the support and cooperation of members, the executive committee, partners and the secretariat team, “a new AFRAA will be borne that is result oriented and geared towards satisfying the needs of members.”

He assured the industry of “a new, transparent, vibrant and professional industry association that all will be proud of.''

Dr Chingosho thanked the Executive Committee and the entire membership of AFRAA for the confidence they reposed in him by electing him Secretary General of the Association, and assured the member airlines of his determination to “measure up to the expectations of airlines and partners by repositioning AFRAA as a vibrant and proactive trade organisation in Africa.”

Prior to his appointment, Dr Chingosho had served as the Director of Safety, Technical and Training of AFRAA for the past 9 years.

With over 24 years aviation experience in technical and general management, three Masters Degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, Business Administration and Transport Economics and a Doctorate in Business Administration, Dr Chingosho is well-equipped with the knowledge, skills and expertise to deliver on his new mandate.

AFRAA, a trade association of airlines from the member states of the African Union (AU), was founded in Accra, Ghana, in April, 1968, to foster commercial and technical co-operation among African airlines and to represent their common interests.

AFRAA's membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators, and its members represent 83% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
-0- PANA PR/SEG 3Jan2011