Gov Eno Receives Newly Graduated Cadet Pilots, Engineers Of Ibom Air

… Lauds Predecessor’s Sterling Vision Of Ibom Air 
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has received the 35 indigenous cadet pilots and engineers of Ibom Air who recently graduated from the Airbus Flight Academy, Toulouse, France and Ethiopian Airline Aviation Academy, describing them as assets to the State.
Pastor Umo Eno, who received the young cadets accompanied by the board and management of Ibom Air, in his office at Government House, Uyo, recently, expressed delight at the successful graduation of the 15 aircraft pilots and 20 maintenance engineers, saying, he was proud of them.
“I am very proud of you. And, to know that you are all Akwa Ibomites gives me greater joy. So, I would like to welcome you back on behalf of the government and people of the State from your training as pilots and engineers,” he said.
   Eno lauded the aviation professionals for showing diligence in their career paths, and assured them of more opportunities in the sector that would lift them to greater heights.
He applauded his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for his sterling vision of setting up and nurturing the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, and for selecting indigenes of the State for training as pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.
“The vision will surely continue. When we mention Ibom Air, we cannot forget Mr Udom Emmanuel. We appreciate him on a day like this, and I know how proud he would be to know that the seed he sowed has brought forth all of these harvests today.”
The governor recommended the management of Ibom Air for the work they have done, noting that they have encouraged his administration to build on the achievements of the airline especially in capacity development and quality facilities which have made Ibom Air the best in the country.
“I really want to say that Ibom Air is the airline to beat, and even our competitors know that. You are indeed doing a great job, and we are so proud of you for giving us this level of human capacity that you have brought to the airline.”
Eno, who was impressed on realising that the beneficiaries were selected based on merit and without knowing anyone, stressed the need to  build a state where people do not have to benefit from the State or programmes because they know somebody, adding that government was working as hard as it could  to ensure that people get what they should get on merit.
He assured the Ibom Air management that the state under his leadership would continue to support its plans and programmes to enhance a more excellent service delivery in the country and beyond, while also promising to provide a conducive work environment for aviation professionals by giving them comfortable accommodations along the aviation corridor of the State.
The chairman of Ibom Air, Capt Mfon Udom, said the team comprised 15 cadet pilots and 20 cadet engineers, who graduated with excellent grades from the aviation training schools, appreciating the governor and his predecessor, Emmanuel, for believing in their people and ensuring that they were appropriately trained in critical areas of the aviation industry to boost the state’s airline efficiency and help deliver on its set goals.
Speaking separately on behalf of the cadet pilots and engineers, Enwonoabasi Esara, from Itu Local Government Area and Moses Okon, from Uruan Local Government Area, appreciated the State government for helping them fulfill their dreams.