The equipment include two units of an air conditioner, a refrigerator, an executive office table, and a chair.

While handing over the equipment in Lagos, Basil Agboarumi, executive director, Corporate Affairs and Governmental Relations, SIFAX Group, said the donation was in line with the company’s commitment to its robust stakeholder engagement across all the sectors it has operations, both locally and internationally.

Agboarumi said the company also believes in the vision of LASTMA which is to ensure Lagosians enjoy logjam-free traffic in the state.

Adewale Adetayo, the General Manager, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, also noted that the gesture was to strengthen the company’s strategic partnership with LASTMA and also support the new agency’s newly-appointed General Manager.

He said: “We are in the business of transportation and LASTMA is one of our key stakeholders, especially in the area of traffic management. This gesture is to further strengthen our strategic relationship with the agency and to show our support to the new GM who we believe has what it takes to reposition the agency and fulfill the vision of LASTMA.”

Bakare-Oki Olalekan, General Manager, LASTMA, appreciated the company for the donation, adding that effective traffic management is foremost on his agenda and his men have been well motivated to achieve this mandate.

Mrs. Adenike Aboderin who is taking over from Basil Agboarumi due to the completion of his tenure is a seasoned finance professional with many years of Executive Leadership, Financial and Management experience in both Private and Public Sectors.

Her skills include policy/strategy formulation, financial advisory, oil & gas, infrastructural, marine and transport development, business/risk management and public policy.

She has held many Senior Executive Management positions in both the Public and Private sectors and until December 2023, she was the Director Finance and Accounts, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) where she managed the finance, accounts, credit control and budget directorate of the organization.

In the Public sector, she worked as the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Ogun State on Trade and Investments, and also oversaw the state’s Economic Planning Department between 2011 and 2014.

Mrs. Aboderin has huge interests in Manufacturing, Transportation, Investments and Social Development. In 2015, she had the responsibility of being the Chairman Sub – Committee on Social issues of the Presidential Transition Committee.

Prior to her public service engagements, she held different senior management position at Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank Limited), Citibank Nigeria, Premium Securities Limited and Commerce Bank, in a banking career that spanned over 20 years.

In Banking and Financial Advisory, she led various teams and groups in the following sectors of the economy – Trading, Investment, Manufacturing, Commodities, Marine, Oil & Gas, Transport and Steel.

Adenike Aboderin was also a Consulting Partner at Novateur Consulting Limited, a financial advisory firm and has held positions on various boards.

Mrs. Aboderin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB); Fellow, Association of National Accountant of Nigeria (FCNA) and an AMPAP Certified International Airport Professional (IAP).

She has attended postgraduate courses in Global Strategic Management (GSM) at the Harvard Business School, an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at the Lagos Business School, and several other courses covering Trade, investment, Energy and Infrastructure Financing, Credit, Risk, Treasury, Transaction Banking, Operations, Sales and Marketing.

She is presently pursuing another Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the University of Sussex, UK.

She is a motivator with high proficiency in business and transportation, marine, energy management, policy formulation and strategic thinking.

Adenike Aboderin is passionate about industrialization and job creation, and continuously strives to proffer solutions to the Nigeria’s development, social and unemployment issues.

SAHCO is an Aviation Ground Handling company, offering services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew Bus and Executive Lounge services and other related Ground Handling services.

On Monday, January 1st 2024, the Company started providing Ramp handling services, Cargo handling services & Warehousing services and other aviation related services to the airline.

Although SAHCO has been responsible for providing Cargo Handling and Warehousing services to Ethiopian Airlines from 2016 in Lagos, and full handling in Kano, the procurement of State-of-the-art equipment fitted with the latest technology; well trained and customer friendly staff; seamless, safe and speedy service delivery has made them pick SAHCO as their new preferred handler at the Cargo Ramp in Lagos.

Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and is wholly owned by the Ethiopian government with its hub in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest Airline in terms of passengers carried, destinations served, fleet size and revenue and they have been flying into Nigeria for over 30 years.

According to Basil Agboarumi, the managing director/CEO, SAHCO,

“SAHCO’s choice as the preferred ground handling company for full Ethiopian Airlines’ operations at the Cargo Ramp in Lagos is due to its pedigree and brilliant track record over the years. SAHCO has been providing Cargo Services & Warehousing for Ethiopian Airlines for quite a while now and we have displayed a high level of professionalism according to global best practices. This has instilled the trust and confidence which has influenced their decision to move their ground handling contract to us”.

He hinted further that with this business partnership between SAHCO and Ethiopian Airlines, customers are assured of speedy, safe and seamless ramp and cargo movements as they do business with the airline.

With this new contract, SAHCO has increased the number of airlines that has moved their ground handling contract to SAHCO to enjoy the unrivaled services that SAHCO is reputed for.

It is worthy to note that the Company as a PLC is ISAGO, RA3 and ISO:9001:2015 certified and the only aviation ground handling service provider that is present in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria providing services in Passenger Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Ramp Handling, Aviation security, Crew Administration and Premium Lounge Services.

The award was presented during the NIPR Director’s Conference and Retreat 8.0 by the NIPR President, Mr. Ike Neliaku in recognition and appreciation of Basil’s outstanding professionalism in public service.

At the event, the Chairperson Planning Committee of the conference, Mrs. Thelma Okoh said the Conference was organized to serve as a rallying point for all the Directors in Public Relations to encourage collaborative learning for the decision makers in the industry.

Also, at the event which was well attended by the Public Relations’ Directors from both the public and private sectors and the crème-de-la-crème of the society, Mr. Basil Agboarumi gave a presentation titled: Insights from Best Practices Model.

During his presentation, Basil encouraged the Public Relations Directors to ensure that they are knowledgeable about their respective operating environment so that when the opportunity to head their organizations is presented, they would be able to perform effectively.

Furthermore, Basil emphasized that integrity, loyalty and continuous personal development is key to going far in the industry and he encouraged the Directors not to rest on their oars but to continually attune themselves to learning about global best practices both locally and from foreign institutions.

Basil reiterated that for him to transition from the Public Relations landscape to seating at the head of the Board room was a product of the grace of God and competence that was demonstrated when he was given the opportunity to act in the stead of his predecessor when he was on annual leave.

This provided an opportunity to hone his skills such that the transition was seamless when his predecessor’s tenure ended. He emphasized that having the luxury of a highly competent professional team of SAHCO to work with was something that has also made his job a lot easier.

During the award presentation, Mr. Ike Neliaku, the NIPR President, said Basil Agboarumi has made the NIPR institution very proud and the award was in recognition of the good name that Basil has given the practice. He went on to say that Basil’s achievement is a testament that Public Relations Practitioners can provide leadership for institutions and are not stuck as members of the Boardroom alone.

Agboarumi while receiving the award said he was indeed humbled at the gesture and he said he was just contributing his own quota to the development of the country as a whole. He said the award would encourage more people to know that no good deed goes unrewarded and he emphasized that Public Relations Practitioners should ensure that they are dependable both to their superiors and dependants and should make sure that whatever is communicated to both the public and stakeholders is nothing short of the truth.

In conclusion, Basil introduced SAHCO as a Publicly Listed Aviation Ground Handling Service provider that is present in all the commercially operated Airports in Nigeria and is involved in activities that includes Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation Security, Premium Lounge services amongst other aviation related services.

The Award was conferred on SAHCO PLC by AVOLAD Engineering Nigeria Limited during their 2022 Accuracy and Precision Excellence Award Dinner held in Lagos.

According to AVOLAD’s General Manager, Adebayo Oluyamo, the nomination of Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) for the 2022 award is based on SAHCO’s relentless pursuit of accuracy and precision in cargo operational services at all times.

AVOLAD Nigeria Limited is an Indigenous Engineering Company that specializes in cargo/baggage weighing equipment that is used for weighing Cargo bulks which is used to provide load control with the accurate measurement of the pallets loaded on the aircraft and for determining the cost of the cargo for import and export.

Speaking further on why SAHCO was conferred the award, Oluyamo stressed that “After careful consultations during the screening process, the committee approved the conferment on SAHCO based on sterling performance and exceptional contributions towards proper maintenance and calibration of SAHCO weighing equipment, development of standard accuracy and precision procedures in operational services thereby maintaining world standards in offering cargo services.”

Reacting to the award, the Managing Director/ CEO of SAHCO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi said “SAHCO, who recently got ISO 900:2015 Certification is a company that adhere strictly to International Standards in everything we do, we are known for providing excellent services to our numerous customers, using our world class Ground Support Equipment and this award will spur us to continue to do more” he thanked the organizer for recognizing SAHCO.

SAHCO is a Public Liability Company that keeps raising the bar in the Aviation Ground Handling industry by building and maintaining a fleet of ultra-modern ground handling equipment that are fitted with the latest technological innovations.

The multi-award winning company is also has well-trained customer-centric staff with presence in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria and ultra- modern warehouses with massive cold rooms and freezers.

The Company is involved in Passenger Handling services, Ramp Handling services, Cargo Handling services and Warehousing, Aviation Security services, VIP lounge services and other Aviation related services by delivering quality services that is always aimed at exceeding customers’ expectations.

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has expanded her fleet of ultra-modern Aviation Ground Handling Equipment with acquiring Universal Loaders, Tractors, Container Dollies, Canopied Passenger Steps, Conveyor Belt loaders and Air Starter Units.

The new Universal loaders which were manufactured by French Ground Support Equipment (GSE) maker, AirMarrel in France are 7,000 tonnes lower and main deck loaders.

The GSEs are well-matched with the latest compatible standards and can be used to load both pallets and containers, according to a press statement signed by Vanessa Adetola (Mrs), Manager, Corporate Communications at SAHCO.

Also, the loaders are equipped with Aircraft Approach sensors that minimize accident or damage to the Aircraft body by restricting contact.

The three ruggedly built GSEs also known as E-LAM 7,000 are fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines and the capacity to travel long distances that makes them compatible for Nigerian terrains and long distanced tarmac. The E-LAM 7,000s can similarly be used for loading at both the front Cargo hold and at the rear Cargo hold.

In addition, SAHCO acquired three Air Starter Units (ASU) equipment from Guinault, a GSE manufacturer resident in France. ACUs are used to start an aircraft’s engine while it is on ground.

The ASUs acquired by SAHCO can power both wide body and narrow body aircrafts. They are also fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines with low emission of carbon monoxide and are built to produce 180 pounds per minute of power.

Furthermore, the ASUs are built with aluminum chassis which is to prevent rusting thereby making them an all-weather equipment which can be used under the rain or the scorching sun.

Similarly, 6 Sherpa Tractors were procured to boost the existing fleet of GSE in SAHCO. These tractors are built to service both Cargo and Passenger Baggage. The front wheels of the tractors have been modified to be bigger than the older models to enable a better stability of the equipment and to suit a rough terrain better, besides the seats have in-built leaf springs to ensure that the operator is comfortable driving the equipment thereby preventing any work-related development of hernia due to hard and immobile seats.

Likewise, the GSEs are fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines for low emission of carbon monoxide which makes them environmentally friendly. The Tractors which were produced by Goldhofer from Germany are built to have low fuel consumption capacity.

Also, SAHCO added 50 Container Dollies manufactured by Bombelli, an Italian GSE company to the new fleet of GSEs, these Container Dollies are used to transport Unit Load Devices (ULD) during Operations. The Dollies are made of galvanized steel to prevent corrosion and rusting and are fitted with spring loaded hooks which makes connection and pulling easy for operators.

Similarly, the Canopied Passengers Steps and Conveyor Belts were manufactured by Bombelli. The three Canopied Passenger Steps have factory fitted Coverings to protect Passengers from the rain or scorching sun while embarking or disembarking and they are also fitted with Aircraft Proximity sensors in accordance to world best practices.

The Passenger Steps also have the capacity of being motorized or manually operated and can be used to service the following Aircrafts; B737, B727, B757, CRJ, A318 – A321.

In addition, the three Conveyor Belts which are used for loading and offloading of baggages, are equally fitted with In-built Aircraft Proximity Sensors. Also, the roller belts are manufactured in a block assembly fashion which makes the GSE to convey loads faster, carry more weight and last longer.

Speaking about the equipment, Basil Agboarumi, the Managing Director/CEO of SAHCO,  said SAHCO is committed to always providing safe, speedy and efficient services for clients and prospective clients. Furthermore, as SAHCO clients are expanding their routes, we are also ensuring that we are exceeding their expectations by expanding our fleets too. We are constantly training our staff both abroad and locally to learn how to operate and maintain these new equipment so as to maximize their productivity.

Recently, SAHCO won the Best Ground Handling Award in Africa at the Aviators Africa Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in recognition of SAHCO’s immense contribution to the development of African Aviation. SAHCO was nominated with three other Ground Handling Companies after which SAHCO won with a landslide due to SAHCO’s continuous input in ensuring that all activities are executed according to best world practices.

SAHCO is a Publicly Listed Aviation Ground Handling Service provider that is present in all the commercially operated Airports in Nigeria which are Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Calabar, Ilorin, Enugu, Maiduguri, Gombe, Ibadan, Jos, Asaba, Benin, Bauchi, Uyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Yola, Bayelsa, Warri and Anambra.

SAHCO was picked from three nominees in the Transport Related category because of the recognition of SAHCO’s stellar performance in creating value on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on the basis of the following criteria which are share price, dividend payments, sustainability, brand value, market leadership and business strategy in 2021. 

At the event, Ogho Okiti, the Managing Director of BusinessDay Media Limited said in his opening speech that the award ceremony which was formerly known as Top 25 Awards was created to recognize leaders of public and private companies who have created sustainable alpha-generating value for their shareholders through their strategic priorities, operating efficiencies, organizational values and market engagement activities. 

He went on to say that though there has been a backdrop of slow economy growth and a volatile national economy in the past 12 months, following the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the capital markets have maintained a positive growth trend showing a testament of the resilience and agility of businesses within the bourse. 

Basil Agboarumi, the Managing Director/ CEO of SAHCO, who received the award said that though the company is fairly new to the Nigerian Stock Exchange market having joined on the 23rd of April, 2019, SAHCO has done very well as a Public Listed company by delivering Aviation Ground Handling Service in line with internationally accepted best practices. He also went on to say that SAHCO will continue to deliver safe, speedy and efficient service thereby making Nigeria proud. 

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC was prior to December 2009 a struggling establishment of the Federal Government of Nigeria, having been rescued from the ashes of the liquidated Nigerian Airways then the SIFAX Group led by its Executive Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, bought over SAHCO as a preferred bidder from the Federal Government of Nigeria, in a keenly contested privatization exercise by the Nigerian Government Privatization Agency- Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and then it was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange Market in 2019. 

Today, SAHCO is a great brand that has won its way to the heart of the Aviation Community, having undergone and received the highest available International and local certifications, providing equipment and facilities that matches with the very best anywhere in the world. 

SAHCO is a Public Listed enterprise involved in the activities which includes Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew bus and Executive Lounge services and other related Ground Handling services for World best Airlines, originating within Nigeria and from various parts of the Continent.