TOGETHER, WE WILL MOVE OUR NATION FORWARD

In continuation of his collaborative visit to strategic partners, the Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Air Vice Marshal SL Rabe was at the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) to seek areas of partnership with the renowned Establishment. AVM Rabe who acknowledged the contribution of the ASR Africa to the academic community in Nigeria, stated that with proper collaboration, AFIT and ASR Africa would move Nigeria forward in the area of technological development. He recalled that AFIT was in the forefront of the development of unmanned aerial vehicles in Nigeria and would continue to pave the way with the enabling support and partnership.

The Commandant remarked that AFIT was unique as it was contributing to manpower development in four different dimensions.  These include provision of academic courses leading to the award of degrees under the National Universities Commission, training of technical manpower leading to the award of national and higher national diplomas under the Board for Technical Education, development of engineering specialists under the Nigerian Air Force Council, and building of requisite technical manpower for the Nigerian Aviation industry under the Nigerian Civil and Aviation Authority. These programmes, according to him, run concurrently and account for the more than 87 per cent increase in the Institute’s student population.

AVM Rabe therefore stated that it was gratifying to interface with ASR Africa and specifically commended the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative’s Tertiary Education Grants Scheme as well as the support extended to several government agencies and institutions of higher learning over time. He expressed optimism that the partnership between both parties would bring great benefits to AFIT community. He enjoined the staff of ASR Africa to keep up the good work to enhance learning within the African continent.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Udon Uboh, had disclosed that ASR Africa had awarded over 25 grants covering different aspects of human development to different corporate and government agencies. These grants, which ranged from One billion dollars to over 10 billion dollars, have helped to facilitate development in these respective areas of the society.   He acknowledged that AFIT, as a unique technological and aircraft maintenance Institute, was eligible to benefit from the Organisation’s grants.  He added that the Establishment has the ranking of tertiary institutions in terms of performance, output and vision which guide it in taking decisions when awarding grants to deserving corporate bodies.

Bassy Okon PhD

Wing Commander

AFIT Director of Public Relations