A University of Ibadan (UI), undergraduate, Mr Oyedele Philemon and a secondary school student of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School (MMASS), Miss Olubode Testimony, have emerged victorious respectively in the tertiary institutions and secondary schools categories at the 13th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2024) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar held in Lagos.
The grand finale, which was held at the Training hall of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, saw Mr Oyedele Philemon of University of Ibadan and Miss Olubode Testimony of Murtala Muhammed Airport become winners following a rigorous session of oral defence of their written essays.
In the tertiary institutions category, participants were tasked with writing on the topic, ‘The Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Developing a Workable Solution for Nigeria and Africa.’
Similarly, the secondary schools category wrote on the topic, ‘The Role of Artificial Intelligence In Future Air Transportation.’
In the tertiary institutions category, Mr Oyedele Philemon went home with a cash prize of N150,000 while Miss Olubode Testimony won a cash prize of N100,000 both sponsored by the Airline Logistics and Management Limited (ALML).
Similarly, Mr Amoo Titoluwa of University of Lagos (Unilag) won N100,000 and Miss Ekuma Onosewo of Princeton College, Surulere equally took home N60,000 both in second place in both categories also sponsored by OAS Helicopters.
Third place went to Mr Ubokobong Michael of the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka with N50,000 and Mr Patrick Chidiebere of Abiolu Comprehensive College, Igando, Lagos with N40,000.
Speaking at the event, the founder and National Coordinator of NTEC, Mr Ewos Iroro, said: “The aviation industry has been at the forefront of embracing technology in trying to address many of its challenges.
“Two areas where this is currently prevalent are in the application of Artificial Intelligence to various aspects of its operations and the development of sustainable aviation fuel as a way of reducing the industry’s carbon emissions. Hence, these two issues formed the idea behind the topics chosen for this year’s essay competition.”
He added that NTEC has grown over the years and continues to reach out to the grassroots to discover hidden talents in an effort to raise future aviation professionals.”
In her remarks, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku who was represented by the deputy general manager passages and protocol at the organisation, Mrs Christabel Eromosele, said; “I am particularly elated because this programme is not only aimed at building and developing our youth, but it is also targeted at bridging the gap in manpower needs of the aviation industry.
“I am confident that from this class of 2024, we will in no distant future be witnessing and celebrating the emergence of world class aviation engineers, pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals.
“The theme of this year’s event, ‘Unveiling Today’s Talents for Future Opportunities,’ could not have come at a better time. This is because the latent talents and abilities of the present generation is undeniable.
“Therefore, it is only right that we appreciate and celebrate the doggedness, consistency, and dedication of the organisers of this event. Indeed, when the story of aviation in Nigeria is being written, your contributions will surely receive a worthy mention.”
Assessment of written works as well as the oral defense was done by a panel of Independent Assessors chaired by the Executive Director, Communications & Government Affairs, SIFAX Group, Mr Basil Agboarumi.
Other members of the panel include, AGM Protocol and Passages, FAAN, Mrs. Christabel Eromosele, President, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria; Mr Alex Nwuba, MD, Aviatrix Hub; Mrs Victoria Adegbe, GM, Quality & Safety, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Mrs. Christie Oseghale and General Secretary, Aviation Round Table, Mr Olumide Ohunayo.
Earlier in the Keynote Address delivered by Mr. Alex Nwuba titled, “Unveiling Today’s Talents for Future Opportunities,” he noted that there is a significant concern about projected workforce shortages in the aviation industry, particularly in the areas of Pilots, Maintenance Technicians and Air Traffic Controllers, adding that a significant portion of the current aviation workforce is approaching retirement age.
Putting the situation into perspective, Mr. Nwuba revealed that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) estimates a need for over 350,000 new pilots by 2026. Similarly, there is a shortfall of between 12,000 and 18,000 aviation maintenance workers and the FAA predicts that with retirements expected, over 10,000 new Controllers will be required in the USA alone in the next decade.
He therefore summed up his presentation by declaring that the jobs of the future will require a mix of Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSAs), Digital Competence, Cognitive Flexibility, Continuous Development and Discipline.
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