The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is concerned about a possible plan to relocate firefighting simulation gear from the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Lagos. This move was rumored to have been planned by the Ministry of Aviation, but the ministry has issued a press statement denying the speculation. Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Director of Publicity and Advocacy/Spokesperson for NEF, expressed concern over the relocation of the firefighting simulator from NCAT. The relocation of this critical equipment, according to NEF, could have negative implications not only for the institution but also for the broader aviation sector in the country. The firefighting simulators at NCAT are crucial in preparing future aviation professionals for potential fire emergencies. Relocating these simulators to an undisclosed location could jeopardize the quality of training provided to students at the college and compromise the safety of air travel in Nigeria. The NEF emphasized the importance of adequately training aviation professionals for the safety and future of Nigeria’s aviation industry and stressed the need to oppose any decision that compromises this imperative. In a prompt response, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, refuted the claims, asserting that the report was untrue and baseless, describing it as a deliberate attempt to cause trouble. He clarified that commercial banks, not the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are responsible for the approximately $600 million owed by foreign airlines in Nigeria.
The Northern Elders respond to reports of another office relocation from Kaduna to Lagos under Tinubu’s government
