Eno Targets Aviation Manpower As 20 Akwa Ibom Indigenes Train As Pilots

• Governor Umo Eno receives the fifth Airbus A220-300 acquired by his administration for Ibom Air.

• 14 of Ibom Air’s 30 pilots are Akwa Ibom indigenes, while 20 others are undergoing cadet pilot training in Ethiopia and Zaria.

• Eno says fleet expansion is designed to strengthen the state’s aviation industry and create sustainable career opportunities for youths.

September 03, () — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared that the state’s investment in Ibom Air is being driven not only by fleet expansion but also by a deliberate effort to develop indigenous manpower for the aviation industry.

Eno stated this yesterday in Uyo while receiving the fifth aircraft acquired by his administration for the state-owned airline, an Airbus A220-300, as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary.

The arrival of the aircraft was marked with a water-cannon salute, as the governor and other dignitaries welcomed the latest addition to the airline’s growing fleet.

Speaking at the ceremony, Eno said the expansion of Ibom Air was intended to position Akwa Ibom as a stronger player in Nigeria’s aviation industry while opening up opportunities for young people from the state.

According to him, the state has already recorded progress in indigenous aviation manpower development, with 14 of Ibom Air’s 30 pilots currently being Akwa Ibom indigenes.

The governor further disclosed that 20 other indigenes were undergoing cadet pilot training, with 10 receiving training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while another 10 were undergoing training in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Eno said the development reflected his administration’s commitment to equipping young people with specialised skills capable of providing them with sustainable career opportunities.

“This is a month of gratitude. Today, we are here to welcome Airbus. We are expecting growth in the aviation sector,” the governor said.

He noted that as Ibom Air expands its fleet and operations, the state would continue to explore opportunities to increase the participation of its indigenes across different areas of the aviation value chain.

The latest aircraft brings to five the number of aircraft acquired by the Eno administration for Ibom Air, reinforcing its investment in the expansion of the airline and the development of the state’s aviation ecosystem.

The development also attracted commendations from Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other dignitaries, who praised the governor’s investments in aviation and other sectors of the state economy.

The arrival of the aircraft forms part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary, during which the state government has highlighted investments in infrastructure, aviation, human capital development and other sectors under the administration’s development agenda.