20th August, 2015
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar on Wednesday said that the Air Force Institute of Technology, (AFIT) had been repositioned to contribute more effectively in tackling the current security challenges facing the country.
The Air Cheif, who made the remark at the 44th Convacation Ceremony of the institution in Kaduna, said training of technical personnel would impact positively in dealing with the dreaded Boko Haram and other security challenges facing the nation.
“The institution is training our technical support personnel who would be required in the movement of planes not only in the north
east but the county at large.”
Abubakar said the institution was doing well in research and development and charged them to sustain the effort to enable the
country address the current Boko Haram menace.
“Taking into cognisance the security challenges at hand, we have updated the un-maned Aerial Vehicle project, codenamed: AMEBO UAV as well as GULMA to resume flying.
“All these efforts are made to ensure that the security challenges we have at hand are addressed.”
On his part, the Commandant of AFIT, Air Cmdr Misbau Soladoye said that the institution had made steady progress in both its academic curricular, research and development.
He said the 2014 -2015 academic session was an eventful year of achievements, accolades and expansion for the institute’s key infrastructure, including the constructution of a block of hostels.
“Apart from the 10 courses ranging from ND to HND levels accredited by NBTE, we are working towards securing accreditation for HND in Manufacturing, Civil Engineering Technology, Armament Technology and System Engineering Technology from the regulatory Board.”
The commandant said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had renewed AFIT Approval Training Organisation status for another two years.
Soladoye told the graduands that they had satisfied all requirements both in character and learning and urged them to be good ambassadors of the institution at all times.
NAN reports that no fewer than 400 students graduated from various courses, including Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diplomas.
The graduates had undergone training in courses including Aerospace Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing and Supply, Electrical Electronic Engineering Technology, Bussiness Administration and Management, and Air Craft Engineering Technology.