Kwara State Government Directs Local Councils to Sponsor Students to Aviation College
The Kwara State Government has issued a directive to the Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state to sponsor their indigenes to the Ilorin Aviation College (IAC). This move aims to boost the aviation sector by providing opportunities for aspiring pilots and flight dispatchers.
During a recent meeting with the management of the college, Mr. Kayode Alabi, the Deputy Governor of Kwara State, emphasized the importance of local governments sponsoring their indigenes for the Standard Pilot and Flight Dispatchers’ Courses at the college. He suggested that even if some local governments could not afford the fee for the standard pilot course, they could still sponsor at least three individuals for the flight dispatchers’ course, which also offers promising career prospects in the aviation industry.
To ensure the successful implementation of this directive, the deputy governor instructed the college’s Business Development Unit to collaborate with the Chairman of Kwara State Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
In other news, the Ilorin Aviation College recently celebrated the graduation of four students who successfully completed their courses of study. One student obtained a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Instrument Rating, and Multi-Engine qualifications, while the remaining three were awarded Private Pilot Licenses (PPL).
This graduation comes just one month after five newly graduated pilots were honored by the college, bringing the total number of pilots produced since March 2022 to 31. The State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, reiterated his commitment to supporting the college in its mission to contribute to the development of qualified manpower in the aviation industry. He commended the college management and staff for their dedication and urged them to continue producing more students to reduce the existing backlog.
Reflecting on the graduation, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi, the Acting Rector of the college, thanked the governor for his support and encouraged the graduates to leverage their skills and potential to contribute to the growth of the aviation industry. He emphasized that the industry eagerly awaited their valuable contributions.
One of the graduates, Ezema Chindera, expressed his gratitude for the support from the state government, describing his graduation as the realization of a long-cherished dream.
The Kwara State Government’s initiative to sponsor students to the Ilorin Aviation College demonstrates its commitment to empowering its citizens and promoting the advancement of the aviation industry. By investing in the education and training of future pilots and flight dispatchers, the government is ensuring a skilled workforce that will contribute to the growth and development of the sector. This move aligns with the government’s broader vision to position Kwara State as a hub for aviation excellence, creating job opportunities and economic growth in the process.
