By John Austin Unachukwu
Aviation and Intellectual Law Reports are necessary to fill gaps in keeping records of and providing easy access to court decisions in those practice areas, a Lagos based lawyer Adedapo Tunde-Olowu has said.
Tunde-Olowu, Editor-in-Chief of Aviation Law Report in Nigeria (AVLRN), said the absence of comprehensive reports in those areas and his passion for aviation sector jurisprudence fuelled his decision to publish the AVLRN.
He spoke with journalists in Lagos at the weekend.
“In the course of my over 30 years as a lawyer, I discovered gaps in law reporting of court decisions in certain practice areas, notable among which are aviation and intellectual property.
“This discovery and my passion to contribute my little quota to the development of Nigeria’s legal system motivated me to embark on this project, starting first with aviation. We are presently working on a report covering decisions in intellectual property,” Tunde-Olowu said.
The lawyer noted that they began with aviation because it is one of the key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
He said: “It is reported that the aviation sector contributes about $10 billion to Nigeria’s GDP. Aviation provides an efficient and rapid worldwide transportation network, making it essential for global business. It generates economic growth, creates jobs, and facilitates international trade and tourism.
“The AVLRN is remarkably different from the existing law reports because the format and print quality are unique. The report covers decisions of the superior courts of records in Nigeria
“This means we are able to provide all actors, stakeholders in the aviation sector including the Bar and the Bench, academia and government agencies with a comprehensive and authoritative reference material.
“This makes the AVLRN unique, but beyond this, we are tech-minded and innovative. In this light, one of our plans is to roll out an e-version of the AVLRN in order to give our readers access to these decisions anywhere in the world.”
Tunde-Olowu also made a case for why the country needs a national carrier. He urged the Federal Government to relent.
According to him, the economic advantages of owning a national carrier are so enormous that they can turn the economic fortunes of the country around.
“In July 2018, the Federal Government unveiled ‘Nigeria Air’ as the name of the proposed national carrier at the Farnborough International Public Air show in London.
“The initial take-off date of the airline was December 24, 2018. The airline was to be private sector-led and driven. I am in support of establishing a national carrier for many reasons,” Tunde-Olowu said.
He added: “Firstly, the establishment of a national airline will break the dominance of foreign airlines in Nigeria’s aviation sector and reduce capital flight.
“Secondly, a national airline is a very useful tool for boosting tourism. Thirdly, a national airline will generate employment for Nigerians.
“Fourthly, a national airline will enable Nigeria to fully utilise its Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) with other countries.
“Fifthly, a national airline will inevitably lead to the setting up of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities within the country in Nigeria. An MRO will stem capital flight from MROs carried out abroad by local airlines.”
He advised that government’s involvement in running airlines be limited “because government-run national carriers are inefficient and unsustainable.
“Government does not have the resources, managerial and technical expertise to successfully run an airline. To attract investors and reputable technical partners, government should provide an enabling environment for a private-sector driven aviation sector. This will ensure a steady flow of revenue for government.
“Even if government insists on participating in the establishment of a national carrier, its participation must be under a private public partnership framework in which government holds minority shares. Government and must not be involved in running the business.
On the impact of COVID-19 on Nigerian economy, the lawyer said: “It has literally brought life and business, as we know it to a grinding halt. The human race is battling to save itself from an existential threat of epic proportions.
“Various governments have taken drastic measures with a view to stanching the spread of the deadly virus.”
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