Agency Reports

By Sani Idris

A business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, said Nigeria should deploy technology and carbon offsetting programmes to address challenges in the country’s aerospace industry.

Mangal gave the advice during the convocation lecture of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), on Friday in Kaduna.

“Carbon offsetting mitigates the environmental impact of air travel, which currently accounts for around two per cent of all global carbon emissions.

“It allows airlines and passengers to compensate for the carbon dioxide emissions relased through flying by investing in carbon reduction projects in other areas,” he added.

The theme of the lecture was ‘The youth: A panacea for innovation, technology and development’.

Mangal, represented by Alhaji Inuwa Baba, lamented that government policies have created more problems in the sector, including shortage of aviation fuel and resultant increase in air fares.

He noted that in many instances, Government policies played critical role in the problems being faced by the aerospace industry.

“In spite of the thousands of jobs the industry has produced to Nigerians, it is important to note that many well trained pilots and technicians are still unable to secure jobs compared to other developing countries.

“This is not only discouraging to our teeming youths, but also a problem to our economy,” Mangal, the Chairman of Max Air said.

He therefore said that strategic solutions should be put in place for the benefit of the people, business owners and government.

Mangal said Government should evolve more viable regulations and policies in the aerospace industry, to drastically curb corruption in the sector.

He commended AFIT management for expanding the institution to admit more students from within and outside the country.

The Max Air Chairman congratulated the graduating students and urged them to be resourceful, entrepreneural and innovative for their self-development.

The keynote speaker, Mr Dike Chukwumerije, a spoken word artist, said that the youths remained the hope of Nigeria and its future.

He said that Nigerians, especially the youths should begin to think of what they can do for Nigeria and not what the country will for them.

According to him, for the youths to achiev relevance in life, they must identify and follow their passion and purpose in life.

“By following your passion and purpose, you will help transform your country positively,” he said.

According to Chukwumerije, the youths have the energy and talent the nation needs to move forward, as such they should use it positively.

“Countries that are elderly in terms of demographic composition are looking for young people, and Nigeria have them in abundance.

“Why are countries like Canada importing people, it is because they need energy, and Nigeria has that energy in abundance,” he said.

Chukwumerije called on government to prioritise education and empowerment, while also looking at the interests and needs of all regions, ethnic and religious groups.

He also called on the new leaders across the states to put national interest above their narrow political and selfish interest.

Also speaking, the Commandant of AFIT, AVM Paul Jemitola, said the lecture was meant to inspire the youth to rise up to the challenge of nation building by deploying technology to chat better future for themselves and the country.

Jemitola, represented by the Deputy Commandant, AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, said his vision was to transform AFIT into a global centre of multi disciplinary academic and research excellence, providing prime technical manpower of the Nigerian Air Force.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that before commencement of the convocation lectures, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, and past Commandants of AFIT, inaugurated some projects in the institute.

The projects included roads, walk ways, and hostels, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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