NCAT bags ICAO’s World’s Best award for training of instructors

By Sade Williams/Business a.m.

The Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, has again been recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as the best in the world, this time in the training of instructors.

Presenting the Global Aviation Training Platinum Excellence award to the college at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Istanbul, Turkiye, Juan Carlos Salazar, the ICAO secretary general, said the organisation remains very proud of its achievements as a Training Centre of Excellence.

According to him, the organisation will continue to support member-nations in achieving its objectives of ensuring air transport safety and particularly commended the efforts of the federal government in repositioning the nation’s aviation industry.

Since the inception of the Buhari administration, the International Civil Aviation Organisation has awarded NCAT Zaria the following:

1. Regional Centre of Excellence, Africa (Platinum category),

2. Highest Number of Trained Instructors instructors in the World, as well as

3. Highest number of trainees in ICAO training packages in the world. ‘The best safety in aviation is the best trained Aviator’.

Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s minister of aviation, reacting to the awards, said they were testimonials of the good work that has been done in the sector since the coming of the present government and expressed appreciation to the world body for recognising the achievements.

According to him, the best safety in aviation is the best trained Aviator as the industry is one that has zero provision for errors.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the development of the aviation industry beginning with his approval and continued support for the Aviation Roadmap implementation.

Sirika reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure full delivery of all the components of the roadmap before the Buhari administration winds down in 2023.