Aviation: Trained Personnel, a key component in global standard

By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria.
The Director General, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria Dr. Aminu Musa Yusuf has identified training and retraining of personnel as a key component toward meeting global standard in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
 
This was contained in a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations (PPR), NITT, Mr Paul Ali-Mshelizah and made available to the newsmen in Zaria.
 
Musa-Yusuf made this known at the closing ceremony of a customised training programme organised for staff of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) held at the NITT in Zaria.
 
He described aviation as a delicate industry that must conform to global norms and standard as enunciated in International Civil Aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).
 
Musa-Yusuf, who was represented by the Director, Transport School, Dr Abimbola Odumosu, said safety was at the core of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) activities which emphasises regular training and capacity building.
 
“As such, there is need for training and retraining to keep aviation personnel abreast with recent developments in the industry which NITT has the mandate and expertise to deliver.
 
“I must therefore, reiterated the determination of the institute to promote “safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector,” he assured.
 
While appreciating the management of NCAA for sending its staff for the training programme, the D-G charged the participants to be good ambassadors of NITT and make the best use of the knowledge they had acquired.
 
Speaking at the occasion, the Director Training, Mr Bayero Farah said in order to give the best possible knowledge, experts were assembled from within the institute while other very technical modules were outsourced.
 
Mr Andy Ejembi, spokesperson of the participants said the objective of the training programme was largely achieved. He observed that the training was an eye opener as they were exposed to the rudiments of airport operations and management.
Ejembi noted that they had been equipped with practical and useful skills “instrumental to helping us carry out our duties and responsibilities. Now we can actually make a difference in our respective fields”.
The institute registrar, Malam Sule Bello said that there was increasing demand for air travel which requires corresponding skills update for efficient airport operations and management.
He expressed optimism that the training would bring about the required change in the aviation sector in compliance with President Buhari’s “Change Begins with Me” programme.
Bello said the quality of training obtainable abroad was available at the NITT which was the main reason the Federal Government established the institute some 30 years ago.