The Kwara State Goveor, Abdufatah Ahmed has called on airline operators in Nigeria to employ more locally trained pilots. This is just as the state owned International Aviation College (IAC) in Ilorin has commenced the training of helicopter pilots with the addition of 2XAB206 Helicopters to its training fleet.

Speaking at the flag-of the training last week, the governor said the need for the Nigerian airline operators to employ more locally trained pilots as the Ilorin aviation college has shown through its accomplishments, facilities and partnership with elite organizations that the country has the training facilities, structures and personnel to train world class pilots.

The training according to Abdulfatah which will however be done in partnership with the Nigerian Navy, will bring together IAC's expertise and facilities with the Navy's rotary facilities and experience and reputation.

The governor attributed the inclusion of helicopter training to efforts being made by the state government to transform the Aviation College into a one-stop aviation training institution and showcase the state as an aviation hub in the country.

The growing reputation of IAC as a Centre of Excellence in aviation industry, the governor said has manifested in its partnership with various organisations, especially the Nigerian Navy and Airforce.

His words: "It is on record that IAC, Ilorin trained 25 cadets of the Nigeria Airforce in 2014 while several states and foreign governments have indicated interest in sponsoring students training in the college".

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, said the Navy's partnership with IAC was to bring together "IAC's expertise and facilities with the Navy's rotary facilities and experience and reputation".

Ibas noted that partnership will reduce Navy's dependence on foreign technical training requirements and promote local capacities in line with prevailing national policy.

According to the Chief of Naval staff, the Nigerian Navy through the partnership hoped to train its aviators to global standards, improve their capacities through the unique combination on civil and non civil organizations that the partnership with IAC offers.

For the Chairman of the Board of Directors of IAC, Captain Edward Boyo, the College has since its establishment in 2011 successfully trained pilots and other professionals for the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Airforce as well as civil pilots.