Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the immediate selection and sponsorship of indigent youths for degree programs in Piloting, Aeronautical Engineering, and other aviation-related fields.
The governor issued the directive on Thursday during a meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri with Mr. Issac Balami, founder of the Issac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management.
Governor Zulum said the initiative will target youths with strong academic potential who lack the resources to pursue aviation programs.
“On our part, as the government of Borno State, we will do everything possible to support this university within our reach,” he stated.
“I want to most sincerely thank you for the offers you have given to the government and people of Borno State for the training of a sizable number of aircraft planners and aircraft technicians,” he added.
He explained that the Commissioner for Education and the Executive Secretary of the scholarship board will work with the university to screen and select candidates.
“The Commissioner for Education and your team, you will identify the most vulnerable in the population who can benefit from this scheme. I don’t want anyone close to the governor, the deputy governor or the commissioner to be selected. Purely on merit,” the governor emphasized.
He noted that he would personally vet the list after the selection is completed.
Earlier in his remarks, Balami announced that the university will offer free training to an initial group of Borno indigenes in Aircraft Planning and Aircraft Technology.
He said the gesture was driven by a desire to give back to society, recalling the scholarship he once received from the Borno State Government which launched his career in aeronautics.
Balami stated that one candidate from each of the 27 local government areas of the state will be trained as aircraft planners and technicians.
