The Ogun state government and Santos Aviation are entering into a partnership to foster and enhance technology transfer in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
While disclosing the readiness of the State government to boost aviation career opportunities for youth, Chief of Staff to the Ogun State governor, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, assured the Managing Director of Santos Aviation Ltd, Mr. Segun Adesanya, who paid a courtesy visit to the government house in Abeokuta, of the government’s support for him in actualizing his project in the state.
Adesanya, who planned to give back to society through technology transfer and youth development in the aviation also disclosed that Santos Aviation will train Ogun youth in Airframe courses to obtain licenses from the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
He said it would be done in partnership with local schools, such as technical and polytechnics, with 18 months of training under the FAA certificates in airframe mechanics, amongst others.
He expressed sadness over lack of Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in the country, adding that this has impacted on many aircraft engineers’ careers negatively.
The Santos Aviation boss was also intimated of the need for investment in the new Ogun Cargo Airport at Iperu Remo.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport for Ogun state, Engr Gbenga Dairo, disclosed that the airport’s runway is the longest in Africa and can accommodate wide-bodied aircraft.
According to him, the airport was given the nod to operate as Sunset Airport but plans are underway to get approval for operate 24 hours operations.
The Commissioner also disclosed that airlines with light aircraft were already flying into the airport as the government awaits Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s approval for commercial operations, in the next few months.
Dairo, who was full of praises for the chief executive officer of Santos Aviation, whom he described as the son of the soil, said the state would consider a curriculum on aviation courses in some technical institutions to assist students who are interested in pursuing careers in aviation.
Engr. Adesanya, who has over four decades experience in aviation, has worked with Delta Airlines as an aircraft engineer, and has established Santos Aviation Ltd in the United States, providing aircraft management, interior refurbishing, and cargo operation worldwide, among others.
