The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to human capital development in the aviation sector as he received admission forms from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, through the Special Adviser on Local Content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb.
By Victoria Omini.
The presentation took place at the Governor’s office following a three-day working visit by the Special Adviser to the aviation institution in Zaria, Kaduna State. The visit, facilitated by the governor, was aimed at fostering a strategic partnership between NCAT and the Cross River State Government to promote the training and development of skilled aviation personnel from the state.
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| The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu and the Special Adviser on Local content Ambassador Awatt celeb |
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, Ambassador Awatt Caleb disclosed that the initiative underscores the “people-first” philosophy of the Otu-led administration, which prioritizes opportunities for indigenous learning and capacity building. He noted that the governor remains committed to positioning Cross River indigenes to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the aviation industry.
According to him, discussions with the management of NCAT also explored the possibility of establishing a campus of the institution in Cross River State. He described the proposed partnership as one that would yield mutual benefits for both the state and the college, particularly in expanding access to aviation education and technical expertise.
Ambassador Caleb further explained that the training programmes secured cover a wide spectrum of aviation disciplines, including piloting, air traffic engineering, cabin crew services, flight instruction, aircraft certification, and air hostess training, among others. He emphasized that the initiative is designed to nurture a new generation of aviation professionals from Cross River State.
The Special Adviser also linked the initiative to the recent acquisition of two CRJ-1000 aircraft by the state government, noting that investment in human capacity is critical to sustaining infrastructure development in the aviation sector. He stressed that training indigenous professionals would ensure the efficient management and safety of aviation operations in the state.
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| CRJ-1000 aircraft |
Governor Bassey Otu, while commending the efforts of the Special Adviser, reiterated his administration’s resolve to empower citizens through targeted programmes that enhance employability and technical competence. He assured that the state government would continue to support initiatives that open up opportunities for young people in specialized sectors such as aviation.
In a related development, the Commissioner for Aviation in the state Capt. Imah Eno Utum.(Rtd) pledged the ministry’s readiness to collaborate closely with the Office of the Special Adviser on Local Content to ensure the successful implementation of aviation-related policies and programmes.
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| S. A on Local content, Ambassador Awatt celeb and The Commissioner for Aviation, Capt Inah Enough Utum(Rtd) |
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a major restructuring of NCAT in a bid to decentralize aviation education across the country. The directive seeks to expand the institution’s reach beyond its traditional base in Zaria.
As part of the initiative, NCAT will now operate across six campuses, representing the nation’s geopolitical zones. The newly designated locations include Akure in Ondo State for the Southwest, Osubi in Delta State for the South-South, Ebonyi in Ebonyi State for the Southeast, Ilorin in Kwara State for the North Central, Yola in Adamawa State for the Northeast, while Zaria in Kaduna State will continue to serve as the Northwest hub and original base of the institution.
Industry stakeholders have lauded the decentralization policy, describing it as a strategic move to democratize access to aviation training, promote regional development, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce globally competitive aviation professionals.
Analysts believe that Cross River State’s proactive engagement with NCAT positions is advantageous to benefit from the Federal Government’s initiative, particularly in attracting one of the institution’s campuses or related training opportunities to the state.
The development is expected to not only enhance technical education but also stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and deepen national integration through the equitable distribution of aviation resources and infrastructure.
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