Edo State-born United States-based entrepreneur and the chief executive officer, Auxano Aviation, Ehimenmen Odia, and his partner, Morrison Okunbor, have expressed optimism that the Benin Aero Club, the first of its kind in Edo State, has the potential of addressing the challenges of insecurity, medical emergency, tourism, among others, in the State.
They noted that investment in the sector offers an avenue for many interested Nigerians and beginners the opportunity of flying light planes with single engine, adding that it also serves as a feeder system in strengthening and providing the needed manpower to the aviation industry in Nigeria.
They pointed out that in a few years, Edo State would become the epicentre in the local assembling and production of light planes, thereby boosting the socio-economic fortune of the state.
The duo spoke at the end of a two-day awareness programme for students and pupils with the aim to develop interest among them in choosing flying as a career path from an early age.
The session, with the students and pupils, took place at Benin Domestic Airport and it also availed them first-and opportunities in aviation as invited pupils showed excitement and enthusiasm with the arrival of an Australia-built light Jabiru aircraft.
Ordia while thanking the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Ministry of Aviation for providing the enabling environment to kick-start the project in Edo State, said it was in fulfillment of his childhood dream when he enrolled to be trained as a pilot in the United States.
Giving a background of his life-long dream, the Ambrose Alli University (AAU)-trained Accountant, said the idea to establish Aero Club was nurtured in the US when he realised that many American business owners and professionals use light aircraft for easy accessibility and efficiency in service delivery.
He said, “Before I went to the US, I have always had a love for aviation and I remembered when I was in the University of Benin Staff School in Ugbowo, we used to come to GRA here and as kids we used to come to the airport to see the planes and that thing stayed inside of me, the misery of these big birds flying.
“Years later when I got to the United States, I saw how easy it was to get my private pilot licence but while in Nigeria I wanted to be a pilot, trying to get into the military and all that wasn’t easy, but when I got to the US, it was a lot easier.
“Close to the house where I lived is a small airport with 300 planes in a hangar. In the morning, you will find doctors, lawyers, business people coming to fly their planes to work and back and that is where the idea of doing this in Nigeria comes from.
“Why can’t we have this kind of facility available? Why can’t a lawyer in Benin have a case in Lagos and come back to Benin the same day? Why can’t a specialist doctor visit five states or locations with ease and be back home?
“My vision is making things efficient; we looked carefully at the aviation environment with my partner, Morrison Okunbor and what we discovered, for example, is that if you go around the world, most successful aviation countries have very efficient, functional general aviation sectors, all pilots start by learning how to start flying planes.
“So, with our aero club, we intend to remove the mysticism and classicism surrounding it. If you have the support system, investment and through the aero club, you can encourage people to learn how to fly, not just the young people but older people.”
On his part, the Vice President, Benin Aero Club, Morrison Okunbor, commended Governor Okpebholo for his support right from the first day the initiative was unveiled, noting that the issue of capital flight and going to train abroad to be a pilot has now been removed with the aero club in Benin City.
“Coming from a background where aviation was kind of a norm from my elder brother, late Capt. Hosa Okunbo, this is our little contribution in igniting that zeal for anybody that wants to fly.
“You can imagine the level of capital flight spent to go and train abroad, but you can have it done here. This aircraft is the most suitable aircraft to learn how to fly because of its safety level and its ability to glide.
“We commend the government for making this happen, in a few months we are going to have our hangers to service the West Africa market. The aircraft can be used as a means of tackling insecurity. In South Africa, it is used to deter poachers and we can do it too against the menace of bandits,” Okunbor stated.
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