Plans are in the works to explore fresh collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and the International Aviation College, in Ilorin, owned by the Kwara State government.
The agreement between the two parties broke down a few years ago following the alleged mishandling of funds meant for training on the part of the state.
The breakdown of the initial agreement forced the Air Force to switch the training of its officers to South Africa as a result of the collapsed relationship with the international aviation college.
A statement in Ilorin by Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said the Governor paid an official visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique, “apologizing to the authorities over the matter with which a previous relationship with the aviation college went sour.
“The governor expressed his full commitment to a new beginning and sought a new partnership built on mutual trust.
“There was a sufficient show of goodwill on both sides. The two sides are to put together a team to discuss a new partnership on the training of fixed-wing and rotor pilots in Kwara State among other things,” the statement stated.
“The deal may also see the Nigerian Air Force deploying its engineers to Ilorin as part of the partnership,” it further added.
DAILY POST reports that until recently, the Nigerian Air Force was training some of its officers at the aviation college, Ilorin, but the programme was suspended before the advent of the ruling APC administration in the state in May 2019.
