The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) says it has begun the aviation resuscitation programme for cadet pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.

A statement on Tuesday by Freston Akpor, senior assistant on media to the PAP interim administrator (IA), disclosed this on Tuesday.

The statement stated that the training was part of efforts to create sustainable livelihoods for ex-agitators and create a pool of skilled manpower for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

It said that the ceremonial flag-off of the training was held in Lagos on Monday.

The statement quoted Gen. Barry Ndiomu, interim administrator of PAP while speaking at the ceremony saying that “enormous opportunities abound for the beneficiaries in global aviation.”

Mr Ndiomu, represented by Wilfred Musa, PAP’s head of reintegration, recalled that past PAP administrations made efforts at revamping the training programme.

The statement said Ndiomu maintained that administrative glitches and the complex nature of the aviation industry was the only challenge and this had made all marginal success to be attained.

“Ndiomu said that the flag-off of the programme was initiated more than eight years ago and that this showed that the current PAP leadership was critical about advancing the lives of ex-agitators.

“He also noted that the aviation industry was a major “touch point for commerce” in any country while urging those who are misinterpreting the initiative behind the programme to “pay attention” to its long-term benefits and instant values.

“He also spoke on the argument that beneficiaries may relocate abroad for greener pastures upon completion of programme, adding that there is nothing wrong with that,” it said.

According to the statement, Mr Ndiomu says as long as they are working abroad and sending home forex, they will in turn add value to the Nigerian economy.

“Ndiomu said moreso, we exist within the context of a global village where the mobility of labour is encouraged for the purpose of knowledge expansion and strategic networking.

“He urged aviation stakeholders to take note of the programme, and begin to look towards leveraging on the enormous pool of skilled manpower that the programme will produce for the aviation industry.

“He also cautioned that discipline must be imbibed throughout the ex-agitators’ learning process, to give more prominence to the Code of Conduct that the beneficiaries signed before the commencement of the training.

“Ndiomu said the leadership of PAP would not hesitate to delist anybody who runs fowl of items as listed in the code

The statement also quoted the facilitator, Alom Aviation Services Ltd., Capt. Austin Omame, as expressing optimism that “within a year, the trainees will be gainfully employed in the aviation industry”.

“Capt. Austin Omame, MD/CEO of Alom Aviation Services Ltd., assured that the beneficiaries will be closely monitored throughout the training with the aviation firm.

“He said that the training was an approved one by the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) and was duly certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).”

The statement also quoted Ofuafo Ghavwan, one of the beneficiaries, as applauding the leadership of PAP for sending them to one of “the best aviation training schools in West Africa, situated in Lagos”.

It said Mr Ghavwan noted that the training opportunity had already guaranteed them jobs in the aviation sector where such skilled manpower were in high demand.

The trainees are part of 75 pilots and aircraft engineers sponsored by PAP to various Aviation Training Organisations (ATO’s) in Lagos, Johannesburg and Toulouse, (France) for type-rating courses as part of its aviation training scheme.

(NAN)