Thirteen Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) who partook in the Initial Air Traffic Control Officers’ Course 1/2018 graduated as Air Traffic Control Officers.
In his speech at the graduation ceremony, the Commandant Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC) AVM Haruna Umar Mohammed said, the Initial Air Traffic Control Officers Course was conceived and initiated with the primary purpose of imparting in selected Nigerian Air Force officers, the basic skills and knowledge required to function effectively as Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) as well as to obtain both military and civil ATC licenses for the purpose of providing Air Traffic Services to both military and civil air operations in Nigeria.
The IATCO Course is a 6 months’ intensive ATC training programme aimed at preparing young NAF officers to become ATCOs during which the student officers were required to pass a course of instruction in relevant theoretical subjects as well as undergo several practical sessions to build their capacity.
The programme is further designed to groom the officers to meet the high standard required in the provision of air traffic services to both military and civil air operations in Nigeria.
“There is no doubt that the intended learning objectives of the course have been fully realized. The students offers are now better equipped and positioned to contribute effectively to air operations in the NAF and the nation in general” he stated.
The Special guest of honour at the ceremony, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training Command Air Vice Marshal Zubair Suleiman Mohammed in his addressed said it was gratifying to note that the NAF is making concerted effort towards the continuous development of this great institution into a hub of excellence in Air Traffic Services, human capacity development, not only for the benefit of the NAF but indeed for the nation as a whole
“The need for quality Air Traffic Services personnel in an air operations environment cannot be overemphasized. Training as we all know has remained a major agent of transformation over time; no wonder it is one of the key drivers of the Chief of the Air Staff’s Vision which is ‘To reposition the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiative for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to the Nigeria National Security imperative’.
“It is evident from the quality of the graduands today that ATSTC is working to actualize the Chief’s vision through the hard work, dedication, and commitment of its staff. I believe that the knowledge imparted unto the graduands of this Course will go a long way towards improving safety and efficiency in our operational units”.
He, therefore, implored the Centre not to rest on its oars but to continuously strive towards improving the course curriculum and making it more relevant to our environment.
“For the graduands, today marks another important day in your lives and a significant milestone in your career. I know the past 6 months have been tedious with several assignments, tests and practical sessions. All these were aimed at giving you the requisite foundation to enable you to discharge your duties as ATCOs.
“I am pleased to inform you that coordination towards your movement to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria is in progress. Accordingly, I must emphasize that this is just a foundation that you will be required to build upon through further reading and continuously applying yourselves to assigned responsibilities.
“The field experience that you will subsequently have would no doubt be an indispensable resource for building on the foundation you have acquired at the long run. Therefore, as you step into the aviation world proper, take good advantage of the opportunities open to you and work with your instructors both civil and military as well as your seniors in the field with a view to building your capacity, acquiring more experience to develop yourself further.
“Assuredly, there is a world of opportunities out there for you in your chosen specialty. I, therefore, enjoin you to seize the opportunities available to make a positive impact in the Service and make your families proud.
“You must, therefore, do your best to contribute your quota to the upliftment of air operations in view of our current internal security challenges. As you depart from here, endeavor to be good ambassadors of the Centre and the NAF as a whole through your professionalism and exemplary conduct. Also remember that you can only justify the training you have received here by the quality of your output wherever you go.
“I urge you to strive to make your good better and your better best; continuous improvement should be your watchword. I would also like to commend the Comdt ATSTC and his staff for their dedication and commitment to the success of this Course”.
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