…graduates 5 pilots, commercial and private
The Rector, International Aviation College, Ilorin, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi says, inadequate funding to sustain the operations of the college is a major challenge.
To this end, the Management of the college is calling on the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman Abdulrasaq to come to its aid to prevent it from being shut by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Acting Rector of the College, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi disclosed this when the governor paid an official visit to the college where he decorated five graduating students who have completed their commercial and private pilot license courses.
He applauded the Governor’s recent release of N75m which had enabled the College to purchase new aircraft engine and propeller, 10,000 litres of jet-A1, and repair of the College’s fuel dump, among others.
The Rector however appealed to the governor for increased funding of the college to enable it meet all the requirements stipulated by the regulatory authority.
He said the College can do better with sufficient funding by the State Government.
Capt. Okatahi and other officials of the college commended the governor for the regular subvention to the college which has enabled the school to remain in operation.
The Rector told the Governor that the present Management inherited 55 students when it came on board in March, 2022 and said 27 of them had so far been graduated.
He, however, assured the Governor that the current Management would not disappoint the state government for the trust and confidence reposed in it.
Registrar of the College, Mr. Mohammed Jimada Jibril congratulated the governor on his re-election for second term and as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
He therefore pleaded with the Governor for the upward review of the College’s monthly subvention to enable the College implement salary structure for her staff as obtained in sister institutions like NCAT, Zaria.
He advised the management of the college to avoid a repeat of the mismanagement which drew back the progress of the institution with withdrawal of the Nigerian Air Force and Navy from the college.
“With effective management, I believe Aviation College can attain autonomy and self-sufficiency in terms of funding. Our aim for the school is to achieve this, instead of relying on subvention from the government”.
The Governor, who decorated some of the graduating students urged the College to put all its need in writing to his office.
It would be recalled that the NCAA recently lifted the restriction placed on the college to admit more students following the intervention of the governor who provided the resources for the college to meet the NCAA’s regulations.
