By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Cross River State has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, aimed at driving economic transformation, tourism development, and aviation workforce training.
The agreement, which follows the successful acquisition and launch of two CRJ-1000 aircraft by the state government, is designed to empower Cross Riverians through training in diverse aviation fields including aircraft maintenance engineering, piloting, air traffic services, technical communication, airport emergency response, and flight maintenance.
Amb. Caleb Awatt, Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Local Content, led a two-day working visit to NCAT where he was received by the Rector/CEO, Dr Danjuma Isma’ila Adam, and top management staff. The engagement concluded with NCAT’s commitment to establish a South-South Zonal Training Centre in Calabar, positioning Cross River as a regional hub for aviation training.
Speaking during the visit, Amb. Awatt highlighted the governor’s vision for aviation growth beyond fleet expansion.
“The governor is determined not just to fly aircraft or grow Cally Air, but to raise a generation of Cross Riverians who can fly them, maintain them, and run a world-class aviation system. This initiative is about building capacity, creating jobs, and securing a future where our people lead in every sector,” he said.
Dr Adam commended Governor Otu’s leadership and praised his commitment to youth empowerment and development. He disclosed that NCAT would provide technical guidance for a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin training immediately. He also revealed plans to deploy instructors to Calabar and send a special aircraft to bring Governor Otu to Zaria for a working visit.
He further underscored the importance of female pilot training in Cross River, drawing comparisons with the success of Ibom Air in neighbouring Akwa Ibom State. According to him, all NCAT training programmes are recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), opening global career opportunities for beneficiaries.
The initiative, officials noted, would also align with the Bilateral Air Service Agreement signed last month by President Bola Tinubu, which expands international opportunities for Nigerians in the aviation sector.
Amb. Awatt described Governor Otu as “the driving force behind every bold step we are taking to place Cross River on the global aviation map.”
With this partnership, Cross River is set to produce world-class pilots and aviation professionals, while strengthening tourism, job creation, and economic growth across the state.
