The Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Engr. Benedict Adeyileka has said the institution never had issues with the maintenance of their aircrafts but rather compliance in the training of their students.
He however said the college had recovered from the issue and is now in full compliance with most of the Nigerian airspace and aviation rules and regulations.
The Rector made this known at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital while answering questions on a Radio Kwara personality interview programme, “Playing Host”.
Speaking further, he said, the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Air force are in collaboration with the college, adding that talks are ongoing with the Yobe and Kano State governments as well as other institutions to train students from their various states in the college.
Engr. Benedict urged the Kwara State Government to direct the 16 local government councils in the state to sponsor at least one student for a programme in the college so as to encourage other states to do same
The Rector also solicited for take-off grants from the government to purchase more aircrafts and building of hotel accommodation as well as other capital projects.
The Aviation licensed engineer and instructor announced plans by the college to expand its scope apart from its present ongoing engineering school by establishing a pilot and a cabin crew school as well as short term courses where students would be trained to serve as good turn over for the institution.
According to him, very soon, the college would be graduating students as licensed aircraft maintenance engineers while medical students too would have the opportunity to fly aircrafts to rural areas to treat patients.
Speaking on the cause of plane crashes, the rector said air crashes are recorded either due to carelessness from the airline operators or as a result of fatigue on the part of the pilot.
He stressed that pilots are not allowed by the regulations of the aviation authorities to take alcohol eight hours before operating a flight.
Engr. Benedict who was the acting director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority before his latest appointment described Nigerian airspace as safe for flight operations.
