Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has ordered the immediate selection and sponsorship of qualified indigent youths for degree programmes in high-value aviation fields, including piloting and aeronautical engineering.
The directive was issued at the Government House in Maiduguri during a meeting with Mr. Issac Balami, founder of the Issac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM).
Gov. Zulum said the programme would target academically gifted youths who lack the financial resources to pursue specialised aviation courses.
He assured that the state government would fully support the university’s efforts to train Borno indigenes in critical aviation skills.
“On our part, as the government of Borno State, we will do everything possible to support this university within our reach,” Gov. Zulum said.
He expressed appreciation to Balami for offering training opportunities in aircraft planning and aircraft technology, noting that the commissioner for education and the executive secretary of the scholarship board would work with the university to identify suitable candidates.
Read Also:
- Gov. Zulum approves ₦1bn for take-off of federal university in Borno
- Gov. Zulum declares Borno is 100 percent APC, reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu
- Gov. Zulum calls for a comprehensive strategy to address Sahel crisis
Gov. Zulum stressed that the selection must strictly prioritise vulnerable youths.
“I don’t want anyone close to the governor, the deputy governor or the commissioner to be selected. Purely on merit! Mind you, I have to vet the list after the selection process,” he added.
In his remarks, Balami announced that IBUAM would provide free training for an initial set of Borno State indigenes as a gesture of gratitude to the state, which had sponsored his own aeronautics training years earlier.
He said one candidate from each of Borno’s 27 local government areas would be trained as aircraft planners and technicians.
