Aviation College celebrates Golden Jubilee

Speaking at the event, Minister of Aviation Chief Ositadinma Chidoka said he would remain committed to the transformation of the college to enable it meet the challenges of the 21st century in line with the priorities of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.“Part of the present administration’s giant stride is to reposition the college that we commissioned […]

Speaking at the event, Minister of Aviation Chief Ositadinma Chidoka said he would remain committed to the transformation of the college to enable it meet the challenges of the 21st century in line with the priorities of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
“Part of the present administration’s giant stride is to reposition the college that we commissioned three items today. We have commissioned Visual Tower Simulator for the training of air traffic controllers and training of pilots, Aslim Simulator and two new Helicopters, Bel 206.
“I believe that Jonathan’s administration has shown foresight and trust in the capabilities of the people managing the aviation sector. There is the need for all to rally round the President in achieving his vision of creating access to all Nigerians where every Nigerian must be within two and half hours of aviation service,” Chidoka said.
He added: “Today, 22 FG’s owned airports are at various stages of becoming world class airport terminals with the state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure. Government has made tremendous progress in repositioning the country’s aviation sector with the completion of the first phase of airport rehabilitation project.
“The N38 billion worth of project, which involves remodeling of 11 airports, is nearing completion and the second phase has progressed very swiftly.”
Rector of the college, Captain Samuel Caulcrick, said the vision of the college was to be the famous aviation institute in Africa and be among the best aviation colleges in the world.
He said in the last 50 years, the college had worked tirelessly to achieve its mandate through significant improvement in academic and other activities but described encroachment into the college’s land as “dangerous development in the sustenance and efficient operation of the college’s runways.”
Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, appealed to the federal government to give approval for commencement of commercial flight operations at NCAT, Zaria to enable residents of the ancient and neighbouring towns have easy access to air transportation.