TheCable

Twenty aircraft maintenance engineers have graduated under the presidential amnesty programme (PAP) aviation training scheme.

The beneficiaries are part of the 75 pilots/aircraft maintenance engineers under the PAP aviation resuscitation programme for ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region.

Speaking on Monday in Lagos at the graduation ceremony for the trainees, Barry Ndiomu, interim administrator of PAP, said the various initiatives being executed by his administration to improve the lives of young people are “critical to the supply of manpower globally in strategic industries and trade sectors”.

Ndiomu who was represented by Wilfred Musa, PAP’s head of reintegration, said his administration supported the aviation resuscitation programme because of the enormous opportunities in the industry and its relevance in building adequate human capacity.

“By the time you all get jobs within the aviation industry, whether locally or internationally, you will earn a decent living, access robust knowledge, and become a part of a global network which will, in turn, empower you to add value to your families, communities, and ultimately, the Niger Delta,” he said.

He noted that while aviation training might be very expensive, his office would do what is “necessary to invest in the capacity development of a Niger Deltan”.

Speaking at the event, Roland Ahmed, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Leadstream Aviation Training Limited,  commended the presidential amnesty office for not giving up on the aviation delegates.

He added that with the training, PAP has become a strategic supplier of critical manpower to the fastest-growing global industry.

The 20 aircraft maintenance engineers will  proceed on a 12-month on-the-job training (OJT) after which they will be licensed, and type-rated. The OJT has been fully funded by the PAP.

The presidential amnesty programme which was instituted by late ex-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009, has played a major role in bringing peace, security and stability to the Niger Delta region, which at the time was challenged by an upsurge of militant activities.