The chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has charged student pilots of the Nigerian Army Aviation to embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth.
The COAS stated this while declaring open the orientation of student pilots’ course 19, 2024 at the International Aviation College Ilorin, Kwara State.
The orientation programme was made up of 11 students out of which 10 were drawn from the NA Aviation.
Represented by the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig. Gen. O. D Williams, the CAOS explained that the “pilot training is geared towards the operational effectiveness pillar of the Lagbaja’s command philosophy which is “To transform the Nigerian Army into a well trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”
He added that the programme, among others, “is aimed at fully operationalising the Nigerian Army Aviation, which will no doubt, reshape the battle space for all our operations thereby enhancing operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.”
The COAS reminded the trainees that the pilot training programme is critical, as it would serve as foundation stage for your career as NA Aviators.”
Besides, he the IAC renowned for its excellence in aviation training will serve as their launch pad into the skies.
“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,” he added.
In his remarks, the acting rector of the collage, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi urged the participants to be focused and ready to face the challenges ahead, adding that the school would do everything within its power to make their programme worthwhile.
He said the IAC “is one of the NCAA-approved training institutions for training of pilots and development of manpower in the Nigerian aviation sector.
