The Nigerian Air Force has reiterated its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s National Research and Development (R&D) efforts as well as the encouragement of youth participation in innovative endeavours.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,stated this while, hosted 4 talented youths from Ilorin, Kwara State, who had built an aircraft prototype capable of ground motion.
According to a statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations,Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the four youths came to light after a video of them taxiing the prototype aircraft they built was circulated via social media.
Daramola said the young innovators ; Musa Aliyu, Abdulateef Anafi, Abbas Jamiu and Jimoh Ahmed were airlifted from Ilorin to and from Kaduna by a NAF aircraft.
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They were taken on tour of the Air Force Research and Development Centre (AFRDC), Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) as well as 401 Flying Training School (401 FTS) and 431 Engineering Group (431 Egr Gp) in NAF Base Kaduna to further expose them to aircraft engineering, aircraft R&D and aircraft operations.
Represented by NAF Chief of Standards and Evaluation,Air Vice Marshal Remigius Ekeh, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,noted that, as stakeholders in the Nigerian Aviation Industry, the NAF has always encouraged local talent in science and technology, especially in aviation-related innovations.
This, he said, was in line with 2 of the Key Drivers of his Vision, namely; Reinforcing a Culture of Self-Reliance and Prudent Management of Resources, as well as Strategic Partnership with MDAs for Enhanced R&D.
The CAS highlighted that the NAF had, on many occasions in the past, identified gifted individuals and facilitated the harnessing of their talent for increased capacity and the betterment of the Nigerian society at large.
He further stated that, having been apprised of the uncommon passion and efforts of the 4 youths towards aircraft development, the NAF had invited them to Kaduna with a view to encouraging them, while also exploring avenues to best harness their potentials.
“The intention is to expose the gentlemen to aircraft engineering, aircraft R&D and aircraft operations. By this, they will have a good conception of how an aircraft is designed, manufactured and operated”, he added.
He asserted that, with the experience of the tour and exposure, the gentlemen were better prepared to make decisions about their future. “The NAF remains willing to assist them in anyway possible”, he said.
