By Kehinde Akinpelu,Ilorin
The International Aviation College, Ilorin says it is set to commence an awarding postgraduate diploma programme in Aircraft maintenance engineering courses in collaboration with the Kwara State University, (KWASU) Malete before the end of this year.
The Chairman Governing council of the college, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Gobir, who is also the Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin disclosed this in his office while receiving members of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar committee led by its Chairman, Engineer Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, Danmasani of Ilorin who was represented by Ambassador Usman AbdulAzeez who were on a congratulatory visit to the new chairman.
He said all the courses to be run by the college will be supervised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) postgraduate in aircraft maintenance licence, Also NBTE will supervise the ND/HND programme concurrently
According to him, such programme and other courses would not only improve the capacities and expertise of the students but aslo improve the financial situation of the college to stand on its own without waiting for government subventions.
Alhaji Ahmed Gobir who is also a pilot added that he met on ground on appiontment as as the chairman governing council various challenges but said that with the commitment of staff, he was able to identify areas to focus and had already started turning around the administrative and academic activities of the college.
Also speaking during the visit, the Rector of the International Aviation College, Engineer Benedict Adeyileka said the chairman has been of great support to the college since he assumed duties more so with his experience in the aviation industry.
Engineer Benedict added that the aviation college is working towards producing world class pilots who can be employed in any aviation industry all over the world.
According to him, the aviation college is the only one owned by a state government in the entire West African Region and commended the initiative of the government for establishing the institution.
Also speaking the leader of the team ,Engineer Suleiman Yahaya Alapasanpa, the Danmasani of Ilorin , who was represented by Ambassador Sheikh Usman AbdulAzeez implored the new chairman to see his appointment as an act of God and work hard to take the college to greater heights.
Ambassador Usman AbdulAzeez who was a former President of the Ilorin Emirate Decendant Progressive Union also charged all sons and daughters of the Emirate to be proactive in their chosen careers and always contribute their quota in all ramifications to the averall development of the Emirate and the state at large.
Others who spoke during the visit are Doctor Ibrahim Jawondo, Alhaji Mumini Abdulmalik, a Retired Assistant Controller General of Immigrantion Services, Mallam Nurudeen Ibrahim, Barrister I.B. Ayegbami, Hajia Aishat Iyabo Buhari , Mallam Mohammad Jamiu Abdulganiyu and the Chairman of the Media sub-publicity committee of Durbar ,Alhaji Mohammed Tunde Akanbi who called for harmonious relationship between the board and the management of the avaition college.
They advised the chairman governing council to use his international influence to uplift the college and also called on the Kwara State Government to sponsor students from the state to the college as it will be very difficult for an average Nigerian to send their children or wards to the such Institution for training as a pilot.
The visiting team were later taken round the college on tour of all the facilities .
