Nigerian Army cadet officers enroll for pilots’ training course at Ilorin Aviation College
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has encouraged student pilots of the Nigerian Army (NA) Aviation to view every challenge they encounter as a chance for personal and professional growth.
This message was conveyed by Brigadier General OD Williams, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, during the opening of the orientation for the student pilots’ course 19, 2024 at the International Aviation College (IAC) in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The orientation program welcomed 11 students, 10 of whom were from the Nigerian Army Aviation. The pilot training initiative aligns with the COAS’ command philosophy aimed at transforming the Nigerian Army into a “well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force” capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint operational environment.
Notable attendees included the Council Chairman of IAC, Kwara Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr. Mary Arinde, Chairman of the International Aviation College Ilorin Governing Council Alhaji Ahmad Gobir, and Acting Rector of IAC Ilorin, Captain Yakubu Okatahi.
Brigadier General Williams, speaking on behalf of the COAS, emphasized that this training marks a significant step towards fully operationalizing NA Aviation.
“This step, amongst others, is aimed at fully operationalising the NA Aviation, which will no doubt reshape the battle space for all our operations; thereby enhancing operational effectiveness of the NA,” he stated.
He highlighted the critical nature of the Pilot Training Programme, describing it as the foundational stage for the careers of the NA Aviators.
“Over the next months, you will undergo rigorous training, which will aim at enhancing your skills both as aviators and as future leaders in the NA Aviation,” Williams said, underscoring the importance of the training period.
Williams also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ongoing strategic guidance and invaluable support to the Nigerian Army.
Addressing the students, Captain Yakubu Okatahi, the Acting Rector of IAC, urged them to stay focused and prepare for the demanding challenges ahead, assuring them of the institution’s commitment to making their training worthwhile.
He highlighted that the IAC is a Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)-approved institution dedicated to pilot training and manpower development in the Nigerian aviation sector.
Alhaji Ahmad Gobir, the Council Chairman, also encouraged the participants to dedicate themselves to their studies to achieve outstanding results.
This orientation marks the beginning of an intensive training period designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army through the development of skilled aviators, ready to take on future leadership roles within the Army Aviation sector.
