Governor Pastor Umo Eno on Monday, August 25th, received the newly graduated Ibom Air cadet pilots and aircraft engineers who returned from top-tier training institutions abroad. The event held in Uyo was both a celebration of youthful achievement and a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to investing in its people.
The 15 cadet pilots who successfully completed their training at the Airbus Flight Academy in Toulouse, France, and the 20 aircraft engineers, who graduated from the Ethiopian Aviation Academy, now rebranded as Ethiopian Aviation University, were received with pride and joy. Governor Eno congratulated them warmly, praising their hard work and resilience that led to their excellent performance abroad. He noted that their distinction was not only a personal achievement but also a symbol of what Akwa Ibom youth can accomplish when given the right opportunities.
The Governor paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for laying the foundation of Ibom Air and for initiating the pilot and engineer training programme. He acknowledged that governance is a continuum, with each leader building on the legacies of those before him, stressing that the progress being celebrated today was made possible by the vision and continuity of leadership in the state.
Governor Eno described the success of the cadets as human capital development in action, highlighting that the transparent application and online selection process that produced the beneficiaries was proof that merit and fairness remain central to opportunities in Akwa Ibom. He urged young people across the state to remain vigilant and proactive in seizing opportunities, emphasizing that the government will continue to open doors, but it is the responsibility of the youth to step in and make the most of such platforms.
Beyond celebrating the return of the cadets, the Governor spoke of broader plans for Ibom Air and the aviation sector in Akwa Ibom. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the growth of Ibom Air, describing the airline as “our airline and our pride.” He disclosed that the State Government is currently executing 10 major projects at the Victor Attah International Airport, including the construction of an aviation village and other supporting infrastructure, all designed to solidify the state’s place as a hub of aviation excellence in Nigeria and beyond.
The Chairman of Ibom Air, Captain Mfon Udom, expressed gratitude to the State Government for sponsoring the programme and lauded the cadets for their stellar performance. He described their success as evidence that the vision of Ibom Air as not just an airline but an institution for skill development and employment creation was being fulfilled.
Representatives of the newly graduated pilots and engineers also spoke, expressing deep appreciation to the State Government for investing in their dreams. They singled out Governor Eno for his personal touch, recalling with gratitude how he visited them during their training in France, an act they said strengthened their resolve to excel. They pledged to deploy their skills and knowledge in service to Ibom Air and in advancing the aviation aspirations of Akwa Ibom State.
The return of the cadet pilots and engineers marks a new chapter in the state’s aviation journey. It is not only a boost to Ibom Air’s human resource capacity but also a clear demonstration of the dividends of visionary leadership and investment in people. For Governor Umo Eno, the ceremony was more than a welcome reception; it was a reaffirmation of his administration’s belief that the true wealth of a state lies in the quality and empowerment of its human capital.
