At least, twenty former agitators in the Niger Delta region have graduated as aircraft maintenance engineers under the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s (PAP) aviation training scheme.
The beneficiaries are part of the 75 Pilots/Aircraft Maintenance Engineers under the PAP Aviation Resuscitation Programme for ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in Lagos at a brief but colorful Graduation Ceremony for the delegates, Major General Barry Ndiomu (Rtd) Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), stated that the various initiatives being deployed by his administration to improve the lives of young people is “critical to the supply of manpower globally in strategic industries and trade sectors”.
Ndiomu who was represented by Wilfred Musa, PAP’s Head of Reintegration, recalled that upon assumption of Office over a year ago, his administration decided to throw its weight behind the Aviation Resuscitation Programme given the enormous opportunities that abound in the aviation industry and its relevance in building adequate human capacity.
Maintaining that the programme has global relevance, he said: “By the time you all get jobs within the aviation industry, whether locally or internationally, you will earn a decent living, access robust knowledge, and become a part of a global network which will, in turn, empower you to add value to your families, communities, and ultimately, the Niger Delta”.
He noted that aviation training might be very expensive but there is no amount that is too much to invest in the capacity development of a Niger Deltan.
In his brief remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leadstream Aviation Training Limited, Engr. Roland Ahmed commended the Presidential Amnesty Office for not giving up on the Aviation delegates.
He added that the PAP by reason of this investment has become a strategic supplier of critical manpower to the fastest-growing global industry.
It is worth noting that these successful twenty aircraft maintenance engineers will now proceed on a 12-month on-the-job training (OJT) after which they will be adequately licensed, and type-rated. The on-the-job-training (OJT) experience has been fully funded by the PAP.
Ahmed added that by this milestone, the Aviation Resuscitation Programme of the PAP is gaining rapid altitude in a bid to fully equip and position trained delegates in the global aviation market space.
. TheWitness
