Aviation
Redefining Social responsibility: ExxonMobil trains Bonny community youths on aviation
LAGOS-The Bonny Kingdom of Nigeria is a remote island in the Niger Delta region, accessible only by air and water. A renowned community in the Niger-Delta which has held its peace even in the heights of insurgency in the region some years back.
Bonny plays host to several oil and gas companies and operations part of these includes the NLNG, Shell, Agip, Chevron and Exxonmobil. This is the important nature of the island of Bonny.
In an effort to give back to this peaceful community which has played host over the years to its operations, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, an affiliate of Exxonmobil embarked on a youth development program that is unprecedented in the kingdom. The Oil multinational in fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR obligations worked with the Palace and the community leaders to send 41 indigenes of the ancient Bonny Kingdom to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, Kaduna state.
This very laudable idea was initiated following the recent construction of a new airstrip in Finima area of Bonny and aimed at bringing the indigenes of the area up to the task of operating their own airstrip rather than outsiders coming to take over the available opportunities the new airstrip is sure to provide.
Not a few a few indigenes of the Bonny appears elated at the latest effort of the IOC a they were of the opinion that this sort of empowerment seems better than building structures that has no meaning to the youth population of the community in whose hands the future of the kingdom lies.
For Jeniffer Banigo Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil in Nigeria has touched the heart of its host community via direct intervention and should be emulated by other IOC’s in their various host communities.
Jennifer who spoke with Biztellers via a telephone interview after the training noted that the Company has sponsored forty-one indigenes of Bonny Island to study aviation courses at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, located in Kaduna State, in northern Nigeria.
“It all started with a call received from our different houses to inform us of the development and that the forms are available. I participated in the screening and was selected.
The training which held in Zaria centered on planning aviation as well as basic factors of the aviation sector.
We had 19 different courses and after this exposure I have decided to study advanced basic operation management.
But for Exxonmobil I would not have been able to participate in such training on my own due to the cost of such exercise, hence they have made it easier for me to chart my career path and I would like this medium to say a big thank you even as I do hope they will not just stop there but assist us in getting a place in the labour market so we don’t just flock the market without a way out.”
ExxonMobil affiliate MPN and its joint venture partner, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC also made it clear that that they are helping to develop the community through programs such as this, which aim to build capacity amongst the Bonny indigenes, and would equip the beneficiaries with skill sets necessary for them to access job opportunities such as the aviation services required at the Finima Airstrip – a new airstrip which was recently constructed in Bonny Island.
“This is a laudable part of MPN’s efforts to develop Human capacity within Bonny Island, a neighboring community near its areas of business.”
Another participant Ibifiri Omoni Benstowe who spoke with our correspondent stated that the community Chiefs informed her of the program as she was already an ICAO trained security personnel. She noted that the experience gathered through the training is second to none as she learnt clearly the very importance of time as all the trainers ensured time consciousness was of essence.
“I want to remain in the aviation sector and contribute my quota professionally. Thanks to Exxonmobil, they have rekindled my passion for the aviation sector and I am looking forward to working in the sector in the very near future”.
The forty-one trainees were selected through the combined efforts of the Center for Values in Leadership (CVL) group (a Nigerian Non-governmental organization), the Bonny Kingdom Development Committee and the Mobil Producing Nigeria Public and Government Affairs team. They will be trained in various aviation skills including standard piloting, apron control, telephony, cargo handling, advanced diploma in Aviation Management and aviation security.
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In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.
The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.
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At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.
He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.
The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.
“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.
Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.
Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.
Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.
Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.
Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.
Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.
Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.
Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.
Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.
Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.
Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”
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Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.
He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”
Keyamo wrote, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.
“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.
“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.
“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.
“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.
“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.
“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.
“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go. So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation.
“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.
“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”
The NNPC Ltd has clarified that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.
This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.
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“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing.
“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
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