5th December, 2013
Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent
The Nigerian presidency will on Friday host Africa’s first President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu in Abuja, the ministry of aviation said on Wednesday.
Aliu, a Nigerian from Ondo State, was elected by the 36-Member Council of the organisation on18 November in Montreal, Canada.
“Dr. Aliu, who arrived the country today (Wednesday), will be joined by a High-Powered delegation of the Leadership of the Council led by Out-going President, Mr Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez,” said Joe Obi, spokesperson to the minister of aviation, Stella Oduah. 
“While in the country, Dr Aliu, accompanied by the Out-going President will pay Courtesy Visits on President Jonathan, the Senate President, Senator David Mark and Speaker, House Of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. President Jonathan will not be available to receive him as he is out of Nigeria on visits to Germany and France. He is expected to return home on Saturday.
“The ICAO Leadership would later be hosted by the President to a State Banquet at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja,” Obi said.
Aliu made history on 18 November when he was unanimously elected President of the ICAO Council. His term commences on 1 January 1, 2014 and ends on 31 December, 2016. He is the first African to lead the organisation in the over seven decades of its existence.