NAHCO, SAHCO host breaking of fast with Muslim customers

In association with their Muslim clients and stakeholders at Ramadan, two leading air ground handling companies, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco Aviance) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO), have hosted their Muslim clients and stakeholders to iftar dinner in Lagos separately.

NAHCO said its event was a mark of togetherness and oneness with important client base of the company who are Muslims.

SAHCO, however, described its own event, hosted at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, as an opportunity to strengthen relationships within the aviation industry while reflecting on the values of faith, discipline, ethical conduct, and unity.

NAHCO event
Speaking, the Group Executive Director, Commercial & Business Development, NAHCO Plc, Prince Saheed Lasisi, said the annual breaking of fast event the Company holds with Muslim stakeholders is to identify with the sacrifices made by them during the holy month of Ramadan.

“The holy month of Ramadan is a very important one for every Muslim faithful. So for us in NAHCO, we always use the opportunity to identify with these important stakeholders while praying that our sacrifices be accepted.”

Lasisi used the opportunity to reiterate the Company’s commitment to providing the best ground handling service that is second to none on Africa. He backed up the assurance with the recent purchase and deployment of top range GSE which NAHCO had embarked on since the commencement of it re-fleeting programme in 2024.

Prince Lasisi also informed stakeholders at the event of the only one-of-its-kind in Nigeria NAHCO’s export packaging centre, the NAHCO Export Packaging and Processing Centre (NEPPC), which all major exporters and compliance – seeking ones have been making use of in exporting their commodities to Europe, America and the global market.

Also speaking at the iftar dinner, the General Manager, External Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Bashir Gulma, said the event underscores the importance NAHCO places on things that matter to its stakeholders; pointing out that religion is one of those things.

Stakeholders at the event commended NAHCO for hosting the event while urging the company to continue to demonstrate leadership, not only through the services it provides, but also through non – core aviation services like this and also in its area of Corporate Social Responsibility.

SAHCO Event
The SAHCO special Ramadan Iftar lecture and dinner brought together a wide range of stakeholders including airline representatives, handling agents, government regulators, aviation professionals, and other partners who work closely with SAHCO in the aviation sector. The event created an atmosphere of reflection, networking, and shared commitment to ethical practices in business and professional life.

In her opening address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SAHCO, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, welcomed guests and thanked them on behalf of the SAHCO Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi (CON) for honouring the invitation. She emphasized the company’s strong belief in faith, inclusiveness, and mutual respect among people of different religious backgrounds. She highlighted that SAHCO remains committed to fostering an environment where diversity is respected and celebrated.

According to her, Ramadan is a period that promotes reflection, sacrifice, compassion, and discipline, values that are equally important in the corporate world. She explained that SAHCO believes such gatherings help strengthen bonds among Partners and Stakeholders while also encouraging ethical conduct and professionalism in the aviation industry.

The event featured two enlightening lectures delivered by respected Islamic scholars who spoke on the spiritual and ethical significance of Ramadan and how its lessons can be applied to everyday life and professional practice.

The first lecture was delivered by renowned scholar and academic, Professor Tajudeen Olalekan Yusuf, who spoke on the topic “Ramadan as a School of Spiritual Discipline, Economic Justice, and Ethical Business Transformation.” In his lecture, Professor Yusuf highlighted how the discipline of fasting goes beyond abstaining from food and drink, explaining that Ramadan teaches self-control, fairness, compassion, and accountability.

He further emphasized that the lessons of Ramadan should influence how individuals conduct their businesses and professional responsibilities, encouraging fairness, transparency, and justice in economic dealings. According to him, organizations and individuals who apply these principles will contribute to building a more ethical and sustainable business environment.

The second lecture was delivered by Iman Ibrahim Tirmidhee, the Imam of the Aviation Workers Central Masjid located at the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Ikeja, Lagos.

His lecture was titled “From Ramadan to the Workplace: The Role of Taqwa in Ensuring Ethical Practices in the Aviation Industry, Airport Operations, and Cargo Businesses.” Imam Tirmidhee spoke extensively about the concept of Taqwa (God-consciousness) and its importance in guiding the actions of individuals both in their personal lives and in the workplace.

He stressed that when individuals carry the values of Ramadan into their professional duties, it leads to greater integrity, accountability, and dedication to duty. He also noted that the aviation industry, which relies heavily on safety, trust, and professionalism, greatly benefits when workers uphold strong moral and ethical standards.

The lectures were followed by the Iftar dinner where guests broke their fast together in an atmosphere of unity and goodwill. The gathering also provided an opportunity for networking, engagement, and strengthening relationships among aviation stakeholders.

The event was well attended by SAHCO Directors and Management staff, partners, representatives of airlines, aviation regulators, government agencies, industry stakeholders, and other well-wishers. Participants commended SAHCO for organizing the event and for continuously promoting initiatives that encourage ethical values, inclusiveness, and collaboration within the aviation community.

Through initiatives like the Ramadan Iftar lecture and dinner, SAHCO continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering strong partnerships, promoting ethical business practices, and building a supportive and inclusive corporate culture within Nigeria’s aviation industry.