Nigeria to train 20 commercial pilots in Germany

The Nigerian government on Sunday said 20 commercial licensed pilots departed Lagos for jet/type- rating training at the Lufthansa Pilot Institute, Germany. Speaking at a departure orientation ceremony for the pilots in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta said another batch of 10 pilots would soon be sent to the CAE Aviation Academy, Oxford, Britain for same training. The pilots are 19 males and a female, who had earlier completed their Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in South Africa, he added. The official said they were the first batch trained in South Africa, under a special scheme by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta. He disclosed that his office was partnering with some domestic airlines to facilitate job opportunities for the pilots upon completion of their professional training. He said the training of the pilots would address manpower needs of the sector, which was dominated by foreigners. Kuku urged them to take their training seriously to so that domestic and foreign airlines would compete to engage them on account of their proficiency in handling modern air-crafts. The adviser described the pilots as the next generation of aviation professionals that would take the industry to the next level. The special adviser said that over 200 professionals would be trained to meet the needs of the aviation sector. Kuku said his office was already collaborating with the relevant agencies to train air traffic controllers, aeronautical engineers and other professionals critical in promoting air safety.