President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award on the Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar.

The award was in recognition of his immense contributions towards the improvement of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) facilities to ensure safe and efficient air traffic services in the Nigerian airspace.

Engr. Farouk on Thursday made the list of 25 notable Nigerians and 7 organizations who received the prestigious award at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja at the 18th National Productivity Day Celebration and Conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award with the theme: Productivity for National Re-engineering, Security and Growth, organized by the National Productivity Centre, Abuja.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, President Muhammadu Buhari said his administration was committed to the promotion of the ideals of a productive nation, given the significant role of productivity in wealth creation, employment generation, social progress and improved standard of living hence the need to entrench the culture of productivity and excellence in the psyche of all Nigerians.

He tasked the awardees redouble their efforts towards making Nigeria a better and more productive country.

In his remarks after receiving the award, Engr. Farouk said the recognition by the President would galvanize him to work harder for the development of the nation, even as he expressed optimism that Nigeria was on the right trajectory towards growth and development given the efforts of the present administratitve.

He advised Nigerians, particularly his colleagues at NAMA to imbibe the virtues of hard work, perseverance and dedication to duty, saying that “the lesson of this recognition is that hard work pays, and would surely be rewarded in the fullness of time.”

Engr. Farouk attended Government Science Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, from where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later enrolled at the Lagos State University (LASU) where he obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 1999. He also bagged another Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira in 2009.

A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Chartered Institute of Administration, Farouk was in 2018 also conferred with the fellowship of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE).

He has served NAMA in various sensitive capacities including Airspace Manager, Minna airport and General Manager, Special Projects. In 2016, he rose to the position of substantive Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering Services (DSEES), a position he occupies to date.

According to the citation by the National Productivity Centre, Farouk’s recognition by the President came on the heels the installation of critical navigational aids like the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Doppler Very High Omni-Directional Radio Range (DVOR) in some strategic airports in the country which he spearheaded, adding that he has shown commitment towards ensuring that NAMA attained its statutory mandate through his engineering know-how and application of new technology based on best practices and international standards.

Engr. Farouk who is registered with the council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is also a member of the National Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE), Chartered Institute of Administrators as well as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, among other professional bodies. He is married with children.