The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved about N200 million for the improvement of the status of the International Aviation College, Ilorin.
A portion of the money would be used to refurbish some of the facilities that were already dilapidated in the college before the advent of the present administration.
The state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Afees Abolore Alabi, stated this at the symbolic Check-Ride for nine Commercial Pilot License, CPL and Private Pilot Licensed, PPL Students held at the premises of the institution along Ilorin International Airport Road.
Dr Alabi noted that the fund was also approved to ensure that students of the aviation college graduate within record time.
He said the proposed date for the graduation of students has been billed for December 2022 while paper works and other schedules of the convocation programme would secure the approval of the Governor.
The Commissioner stated that Governor AbdulRazaq has also given approval for the procurement of some engine parts and JET- A1.
Dr Alabi further said that the process of cash-backing after the said approval was ongoing.
He said the Governor’s gesture would project the image of the institution to attain its enviable position.
He maintained that the college was left deteriorating until the intervention of the present administration, which was aimed at restoring the past glory of the institution.
The Registrar of the college, Mr Muhammed Jibril, said that the management met about 55 outstanding students on the ground who must be graduated if the institution was to continue to operate as a college of aviation.
Jibril stated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA hitherto placed an embargo on admitting fresh students into the college and part of the conditions to have new students was to clear the outstanding students.
He commended the state government for resuscitating the college and prompt approval of requisite funding for its operation.
One of the Commercial Pilot Licensed students, Oladele Ajidagba, thanked the state government and management of the aviation college for the support students received throughout their studies.
Seven of the students were presented for Commercial Pilot License, CPL, two others got Private Pilot License, PPL while others are expected to follow in subsequent Check-Ride exercise.
Confidence Okwuchi
