The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has promised to complete the certification of the automated firefighting simulator it acquired recently.
Its Rector , Capt. Alkali Moddibo, gave the assurance at the end of a seven-day training programme for aviation journalists organised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in Zaria on Sunday.
The automated firefighting simulator gives room for simulating incident and accident activities.
Moddibo explained that the firefighting simulator would be put into use for training of students of the college once the process was completed.
“The firefighting simulator is undergoing process of certification; we are in stage two of the process and NCAA is responsible for issuing certification for the equipment.
“However, NCAA cannot give us the certificate until we are through with all the processes, which we are working hard to get. As soon as the second phase is completed, the machine would be put to use.
“The firefighting tender (E1) that NCAT acquired is one of the best that can ever be found anywhere,” he said.
Moddibo said that NCAT, an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), had been having the renewal of its Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE) yearly, with certification by the International Civil Aviation Oragnisation (ICAO).
He noted that the benefits of the certification was that NCAT could increase training activities approved by the ICAO and other conventional courses.
The rector said that in 2020, NCAT conducted over 50 courses in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic adding that it is still running the courses.
“This has continued to give the college visibility internationally and locally because you cannot train if you don’t have the renewal of the ATO. So, these are the benefits of renewing its RTCE and being an approved ATO,” he said.
Moddibo also said that the college was looking forward to be an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) this year, adding that it started the process in 2021.
“We intend to continue and hopefully, we will get the AMO certification this year,” he said.
The rector said that the college was only a training institution where people could acquire experiences and knowledge.
“After we have admitted and trained the students, after certain time, they are delivered to the public as graduates.
“At the end of the training, some will be pilots, engineers, cabin crew, air traffic controllers and others. When you go out as a fully graduated person from NCAT with their certificates, you look forward to get a job.
“The only way to get jobs as pilots or engineers is to get more aviation industrialisation by having more airlines, ATOs and one can also work in aviation agencies and in the ministry as a pilot or an engineer.
“It is not necessary that you must fly or repair an airplane. You can work in any of the agencies as a pilot.
“If you look at Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), he is a pilot. The immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, is a pilot.
“The same applies to Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of NCAA. Also, the current Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, Engr. Akin Olateru, is a pilot and several others.”
So, jobs are out there; pilots and engineers should not limit themselves to only flying or repairing aircraft,” he said.
Moddibo said that though the aim of every pilot was to fly, but when such jobs do not come, they could work in any of the agencies or in the Ministry of Aviation.
“I also look forward to the Federal Government opening more opportunities to aviators,” he said.
He noted that the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had the love of aviators in his heart and had been doing great things to ensure that the aviation industry moves to the next level.
“If the country has its own national carrier, though it will not be 100 per cent government owned, it will give room for more employment opportunities and engendered more competitions among other airlines.
