On behalf of the entire Abba Gana family, I dedicate this article to my late uncle who passed away on the 18th of November 2020 and was buried according to Islamic rites same day.
This loss is not only to the family, friends and well wishers but to the entire Aviation World and Borno State.
Captain Shettima Abba Juddum Gana was born on December 31, 1946 in Maiduguri. He attended the Nigerian Defense Academy Kaduna (1966- 1968), Indian Armed Forces Transportation & Supplies Institute Bereily India (1970 – 1971), Columbus Georgia USA (1976- 1979), Century Aviation Services Inc Columbus Georgia USA (1977 – 1979), Cessna Pilot Center Columbus Georgia USA (1980), International Aviation Management Training Institute (IAMTI) Canada (1990), Ahmadu Bello Univeristy Zaria Nigeria (1989 – 1991), Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna trained as a combatant officer and commissioned as 2nd lieutenant (1968) , Young Officers Basic Training (Military) Bernaily India (1971), Initia Flight Training Army Transportation (1974), Commercial Pilot License USA (1978), Airforce MAC Affiliation Load USA (1978), Planners Course Diploma Fort Benning Georgia USA (1978), Air Freightening Columbus Georgia USA (1979) , Diploma in Management of Aviation Training Canada ( 1990), BA Hon’s English Language ABU Zaria Nigeria (1991).
SERVICE RECORDS; – Combatant Commissioned Transport Officer Nigerian Army Transport Corps Services (1966- 1979). – Managing Director/Chief Executive Century Aviation Air Cargo/Passenger Charter Sevices Nigeria Limited Lagos (1980 – 1989). – Commandant/Chief Executive Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria (1989- 1999). – President of African Civil Aviation Commision (AFCAC) Representing Federal Republic of Nigeria (13th Plenary Session , Abuja 11th – 18th May 1995. (1995- 1998). – Chairman, African Aviation Training Institutions Forum, Coordinating Continental & Intercontinental Training Standards of ICAO TRAiNER Program (1995 – 2001). – National coordinator, Total Radar Coverage of Nigerian Airspace in Colloboration with FAAN, AFCAC, ICAO & Government of Nigeria ( 1997- 1999). – Re -elected (unopposed) by the 53 African Member Countries as President of African Civil Aviation Commision ( AFCAC) Representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the (15th a plenary Session Abuja 20th -24th April 1998 (1998- 2001).
Captain Shettima Abba Gana had so many responsibilities in African Civil Aviation Commision (AFCAC) which included Enforcing Civil Aviation Rules/Regulations, Coordinating Activities of Civil Aviation Authorities, Working in Co-operation with other Civil Aviation Commision’s in Europe, America, Middle East, Asia. Complimenting Activiteis of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the five World Continents, Coordinating the activities of African ICAO council members on Aviation matters with respect to decisions and formulation of Aviation policies on behalf of Africa ( 1995- 2004).
Captain Abba Gana was made Honorary President of AFCAC For life on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by unanimous vote at the 16th plenary Session of the African Commision by all African States in Cairo Egypt for performance/ achievements as two terms “AFCAC” President at the 16th plenary Session, Cairo 21-23 April 2001. Thereafter Capt. Abba Gana to continue to serve from 2001 as Hon President for life on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As Hon. President of AFCAC he was responsible for so many things which included his endorsement by the AFCAC States resolving to as practiced in Europe the plenary session should endorse Captain Abba Gana to participate in AFCAC Bureau from the year 2001- 2004 and also act as Advisor/Consultant for the lifespan of the newly elected Bureau. It also resolved that he should carry out all other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Bureau/ President.
The Honarary Life Presidency of AFCAC was accepted on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, the Permanenrt Secretary in Nigeria Ministry of Aviation and by Captain Abba Gana. He was also saddled with the responsibility of assisting in completion of pending assignments as well as implementing the final transitional arrangement between ICAO and AFCAC autonomy by the year 2004.
Thereafter Captain Abba Gana the Honorary Life President would on behalf of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria continue Seving as Advisor/Consultant to AFCAC Bureau For Life and will carry out assignments given by the Bureau and the president. During his lifetime he was a member of the Lagos Flying Club Nigeria, Aircraft Owners Assocation (USA) and Zaria Flying Club Nigeria.
He had received so many professional Award /Acheivements to mention but a few which included awards in recognition of Excellance in all Round Performance in the Service of the Nigerian Armed Forces (1978), Merit Medal by the United States of America Army (1976) and Nigerian Armed Forces Merit Award Presented by the then Head of State and Commander in the Chief General Olusegun Obasanjo (1978).
Captain Shettima Abba Gana loved to play tennis, playing squash, long distance running and reading during his lifetime. He was very religious. He is survived by three sons Mohammed Abba Gana, Musthafa Abba Gana and Ibrahim Abba Gana and four beautiful grandkids.
He was also survived by a brother Umar Abba Gana, sisters, many nephews and nieces, friends, colleagues from all over the world and loved by all. Today as we mark his three-days prayers by all family members, please join us all from all over the world and all loved ones he left behind … May Allah in his infinite mercy grant him Aljannat Fiddaus and grant us the family members the fortitude to bear this great Loss ……..
(lastly I remembered many years ago when he emailed me his CV, I called and asked what I was going to do with it and he laughed and said Princess you are a born writer. When the right time comes you would need it to guide you, never knew what that meant till today).
KULLU ZA IKATUl MAUT!
