February 07, (THEWILL) – The Kwara State Government has stated that they are in discussions with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to ensure that the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin is positioned in the right place in the industry
The State also canvassed for synergy among airline operators, regulators and stakeholders to improve the present state of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
According to the State Government, the current state of the industry is not impressive as all would have expected.
The Governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulrahmah Abdulrazaq, stated this at the opening of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) annual training conference at IAC.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner, Tertiary Education, Dr Afeez Abolore Alabi, said though the industry is capital intensive, it is a major booster to the economy of the nation.
“We also have to share in the blame for what we are experiencing in the sector. Suffice to say that every one of us has one or two lessons to take from what is happening in the industry and at this time, we also have to come together and form a synergy that would take this sector to the level you and I would be proud of,” he said.
He said before the end of the year, there would be another positive story around the college, as it has acquired some equipment and is also in discussions with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that the college is positioned in the right place in the industry.
The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, represented by the Director, Human Resources and Administration, Alhaji Adamu Wakil, urged the media to do more in projecting the sector in a positive light and avoid sensationalism.
“I encourage you all to uphold at all times, the ethical principles of journalism like accuracy, courage, objectivity, transparency and non-partisanship. It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry,” he stated.
Acting Rector of the IAC, Captain Yakubu Okadahi, said since the inception of the college, it has graduated 300 pilots while many are currently undergoing training at the college.
Chairman of LAAC, Mr. Olusegun Koiki, in his opening remarks, called on the management of the college on the need to tighten its seatbelt and be more competitive.
According to him, the college may have been funded by the State Government, but as a specialised aviation training institution, it should not be treated as an appendage of the Kwara State Civil Service.
The theme of the training conference is, “the need for accurate aviation Reporting by aviation Journalists and the impact of inaccurate reporting.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
