The Kwara State Governor, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has reiterated commitment to the growth of aviation industry in Nigeria with its investment in the International Aviation College situated in Ilorin, the state capital.
The governor stated this during the flag-off of a week training course for Airport and Aviation Correspondents at the aviation college in Ilorin on Monday.
Abdulrazaq who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Tertiary Institution, Dr Abolore Alabi, said that the state government saw aviation as pivotal for the development of the state, stressing that the government currently ordered for items that would further upgrade the school and make it more competitive.
He said, “The industry is capital intensive. This is a sector that should be a booster to the economy of the country. We all need to form a synergy that will take this sector to where it should be.
“Before the end of this year, there will be some positive news about this college. We have placed orders for additional items for the college. I can tell you that 50 per cent of these equipment have arrived the college already.”
Also, the Acting Rector of International Aviation College, Capt. Okatayi Yakubu, said that the training for journalists was timely, adding that it would enhance the capacity of the aviation reporters and familiarise them with the industry’s terminologies.
Yakubu, however, enjoined the journalists to eschew sensational reporting, stressing that this may further scare away potential air travellers.
He assured that the training would be of immense benefits to the participants.
He also lauded the Kwara State Government for its supports towards the growth of the college, stressing that this had made aided development in the school.
Also, the Chairman, League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, Mr Olusegun Koiki, called on the state government to properly fund the college and make it competitive.
He advised it to remove the college from the apron of civil service and engage proven professionals that would ensure development in the school.
He said, “IAC as a specialised aviation training institution, should not be treated as an appendage of the Kwara State civil service. It requires the input of topnotch professionals in all segments of aviation industry for it to remain relevant and be on the right track in the sub-sector.”
