Emirates Treasures Its Nigerian Employees - Sheikh Al-Maktoum

The World’s leading airline, Emirate Airlines, has reiterated its commitment to staff welfare pointing that it holds its Nigerian employees in high esteem. This was what urged them to retain their Abuja staff during the airlines suspension of flight operations in the year 2016. The staff had their full pay and benefits till flight operations resumed on December 15th 2017, rather than been laid off as the case may have been in the face of such challenges.



The Emirates Group equally honours its employees world-wide for their commitments, excellence, performance and services, because the airline places significant premium on employee recognition and rewards. Just recently, the Emirates Group honoured its top employees for extraordinary commitment and excellence at the Najm Chairman’s Awards ceremony.

The ceremony which took place at the Emirates’ Group Headquarters had some of its staff receive honourable awards. Some of the awardees include Giles Peter Daniel Birch, the First Officer (Airbus), Emirates Flight Operations, who won the Najm Chairman’s Award for his work on a project to reduce usage and maintenance costs for A380 auxiliary power units (APUs); Gavin Keyes, the Ramp Agent, dnata International-Australia, who was awarded the Najm Chairman’s Award for his quick and prompt action to avert a potential crash on the ground that could have resulted in injuries to employees and serious damage to an aircraft. Eissam Mostafa Mohamed Ouf, one of Emirates Cabin Crew member, who was awarded the Najm Chairman’s award for his lightning speed reaction that saved a baby’s life onboard; Fadila Bachiri, Department Officer, dnata Airport Operations who was  awarded the Najm Chairman’s Award for her life saving actions on a choking passenger; and Khadija Arsanova, the Customer Service Manager, dnata Travel Services, who was recognized with the Najm Chairman’s Award for her exceptional customer service.

These awardees were recognized at The Najm Chairman’s Award 2017/2018, for a range of outstanding achievements, from saving lives and providing support in difficult situations, to creating innovative business solutions.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group stated: “Every year, we come together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our employees. Their hard work, tenacity, compassion, and continued pursuit of excellence are vital to the success of Emirates and dnata, and I congratulate them for their brilliant performance and contributions. Be it individually or collectively, we firmly believe that the most outstanding contributors who have gone beyond expectations should be recognized and rewarded.”

Najm, means ‘star’ in Arabic, and is the Emirates Group’s rewards and recognition system that recognises employees for their commitment to excellence and innovation. This is the 11th edition of the annual Chairman’s award, which has seen more than 70 employees recognised for individual and collective achievements within the Emirates Group. Award nominations run through a rigorous review, selection and voting process by heads of departments and members of the senior executive team.

The ‘Najm Chairman’s Awards’ ceremony took place at Emirates’ Group Headquarters, and was presented Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. Colleagues, families and friends of this year’s winners also gathered to support and cheer on their loved ones and colleagues.

To make it possible for public secondary school students to have access to credible and beneficial career information regardless of their social or economic background, we distributed over 100 career books to students in Lagos.

In partnership with Rotary International District 9110 in Lagos during its annual Rotary Youth Leadership Award Programme, the telco empowered the students and inspired them to read more.