Lagos—The last batch of 20 Aviation Mechanic Engineers (AMEs) under the sponsorship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) graduated from their training programme today at a colorful ceremony held at the Leadstream Aviation Academy, Lagos.
The successful graduates are part of the 75 lot comprising 35 cadet pilots and 40 aircraft maintenance engineers under the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s Aviation Resuscitation Programme.
Mangrovepen.ng gathered that all 40 engineers shortlisted have completed their programmes and will be type-rated on aircraft engine types.
Also, their on-the-job training (OJT) programme will run for 12 months of which their living expenses for the OJT period have been fully covered in advance by the PAP.
Speaking at the event in Lagos on Monday, the Interim Administrator of the PAP, General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) reminded the graduating engineers of the need to stay focused and strive for excellence always.
Ndiomu who was represented by PAP’s Head of Reintegration, Wilfred Musa, called on relevant agencies of government to support the efforts of the amnesty office in developing manpower for strategic industries, both locally and internationally.
“I call on the Ministry of Aviation & Aerospace Management as well as its appendage agencies to support and collaborate with the PAP on its aggressive talent development drive,” he said.
The graduating delegates, some of whom spoke after the ceremony, were elated and profoundly grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Interim Administrator, PAP; General Ndiomu, for their goodwill and steadfast leadership that has continued to promote the quality of human lives in the Niger Delta.
In other related matters, Mr. Musa revealed that six cadet pilots out of the 12 deployed in October 2023 to various Aviation Training Organizations in Johannesburg, South Africa, will return to Nigeria this week having completed their type rating training programme.
