FG Pledges To Make Nigeria West Africa's Aircraft Maintenance Hub

WITH the graduation of 158 aerospace engineers from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), the federal government has promised to make the country a maintenance hub for aircraft in West Africa.Acting Minister of Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, said the country can now save resources that were hitherto spent in overseas to service the country's aircraft, thanks to the establishment of the college.Obada, who was a guest of honour at the AFIT's 41st graduation ceremony held at the weekend, said the institute owned by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), has been transformed from a mere technical outfit to a standard aviation training centre.She said: 'The foray of AFIT into aerial design and manufacturing holds huge potential for the aerospace industry, not only to Nigeria but also to the entire West African sub-region.'Nothing stops Nigeria from being the maintenance hub for aircraft servicing in West Africa and beyond.'On the non-existence of enabling act which AFIT has recognised a major challenge, the minister said the process making the law would soon commence. She was optimistic that the National Assembly would speedily pass such law.Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, gave assurance that the graduating students, among whom were men and officers of NAF, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Navy would contribute meaningfully to the development of the country's aviation industry.Eight of the 158 graduates were awarded Masters of Science (Msc), 22, Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD); 20, Higher National Diploma (HND) while 86 received National Diploma (ND) in different options such as Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical and Environmental Engineering, Business Administration and Purchasing/Supply.Meanwhile, Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal John Oshoniyi, stated that collaboration between AFIT and Cranfield University of the United has continued to yield the desired results.
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