Nation
Otunba Gbenga Daniel: Federal College of Aviation Technology Bill Passes First Reading
In a significant development for the aviation sector in Nigeria, the Federal College of Aviation Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB-52), sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), has successfully passed its first reading on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.
Senator Otunba Daniel, representing the Ijebu East District in the Senate, introduced the bill with the aim of establishing a specialized institution dedicated to the advancement and training of professionals in the aviation field in Ilara Remo, Ogun State.
The bill’s passage during its first reading signifies the Senate’s recognition of the importance of the Federal College of Aviation Technology in enhancing the country’s aviation industry. The proposed college is expected to play a pivotal role in promoting excellence, research, and development within the aviation sector, ultimately contributing to safer and more efficient air travel in Nigeria.
Speaking about the significance of the bill, the former governor of Ogun State expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Federal College of Aviation Technology will be a catalyst for innovation, skill development, and capacity building within our aviation industry. It will align Nigeria with global standards in aviation education and training.”
The bill is now set to undergo further scrutiny and debate in the Senate before potentially becoming law.
Stakeholders in the aviation industry, educational institutions, and aviation professionals have welcomed this legislative step and are closely monitoring its progress.
If the bill is eventually passed into law, it is expected to have a transformative impact on the aviation sector in Nigeria, helping the country’s aviation professionals meet international standards and contribute significantly to the growth and safety of the industry.
The functions of the college will include:
(a) to provide the highest quality full-time courses and training inthe various aspects of expertise needed in Aviation industry, and in particularto award all classes of pilot certification in:(i) Aircraft maintenance;(ii) Air traffic control;(iii) Aeronautical technology;(iv) Cabin crew training;(v) Private and Commercial Pilot license training;(vi) Crew resource management;(vii) Safety/operation and risk management.
(b) Be a center of excellence that will provide opportunities for:(i) Refresher courses for pilots;(ii) Research and development in the aviation industry;(iii) to arrange conferences, seminars and study groups relative to thefields of learning specified in section 2.
(c) to make suitable arrangement for the application of the researchfindings by the Governments and private sector for the economic developmentof Nigeria;
(d) to involve in such other fields of applied engineering andtechnological training relevant in the sector in furtherance of Aviation andeconomic development of Nigeria; and
(e) to perform such other functions as in the opinion of the Councilthat may serve to promote the objectives of the College.
The Federal College of Aviation Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2023, represents a significant stride toward bolstering Nigeria’s aviation capabilities and fostering a brighter future for the country’s aviation professionals.
The Federal Government says it plans to lift
five million young Nigerians out of poverty through its skills acquisition and empowerment programmes aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative, being implemented under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical, market-relevant skills to enhance their economic independence and employability.
Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE), coordinator of the programme, disclosed this on Monday in Ibadan at the commencement of the programme’s Oyo State phase which will run from September 28 to October 9.
She said the training is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering Nigerians through technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education.
Arogundade said the programme, which commenced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had moved to Oyo State and would be extended to other states and geopolitical zones across the country.
Under the Oyo State phase, 200 young Nigerians are being trained in Graphics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), makeup artistry and fashion designing.
Of the beneficiaries, 30 participants are undergoing training in Graphics/AI, while 85 each are receiving training in makeup artistry and fashion designing.
Arogundade said the initiative went beyond skills acquisition, adding that beneficiaries would be connected to organisations and business opportunities to support their transition into sustainable livelihoods.
“So with this programme, we are training 200 people. We will also be distributing 500 tablets during the grand finale of the programme as part of the Federal Government’s digital empowerment drive.
“We are directly empowering 700 people in this programme and there will be multiplier effect.
“We are not just training them for themselves but we are training them for their communities, for the population, and for all the states in Nigeria,” she said.
She urged participants to take the training seriously, maximise the opportunity and use their newly acquired skills to empower others within their communities.
“I want to just encourage them to do their best.
“I want to encourage them to know that President Bola Tinubu is thinking about all Nigerians, all young Nigerians in the country and ready to address their plights,” she said.
The presidential aide reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to become economically self-reliant through practical training and entrepreneurship development.
Earlier, the keynote speaker for the Graphics/AI training, Mrs Oluronke Shonubi, said the growing adoption of artificial intelligence presented Nigeria with opportunities to accelerate development, improve employability and prepare young people for emerging jobs.
One of the beneficiaries, Idowu Olalere, a 400-level student of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for providing young Nigerians with opportunities to acquire emerging digital skills.
Olalere said the training would help bridge the gap between existing skills and evolving labour market requirements.
Two other beneficiaries, Mrs Iyabo Ajayi, a makeup trainee, and Fatunbi Joshua, a fashion designing trainee, also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the opportunity.
They expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to reducing unemployment by equipping participants with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.
At the conclusion of the training, participants will receive laptops, sewing machines and fully equipped makeup kits to support their entrepreneurial pursuits and facilitate the establishment of sustainable businesses.
The programme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, reduce poverty and expand opportunities for young Nigerians through technical and vocational education.
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