A
20-year-old Nigerian, Favour Odozor, has emerged as the youngest with the
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in both Nigeria and South Africa.
Mr. Odozor who graduated alongside 15 other trained pilots at
the Afrika Union Aviation Academy (AUAA), Mafikeng, South Africa on Saturday
was described as the new hope of the African aviation industry.
Capt. Allan Roebuck, Director of AUAA, told the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg that Mr. Odozor completed all the 37 flying
procedures in record time.
“The academy is proud of this young Nigerian, with the award of
licence and certificate to him. Today, I can say he is the youngest commercial
licence pilot in both Nigeria and South Africa.
“I cannot say now if he is the youngest African to attain that
record, but I’m sure he is the youngest in South Africa and Nigeria,’’ he said.
The AUAA director noted that it requires a lot of hard
work, focus, punctuality and discipline to be trained as a commercial
pilot.
“It is not enough to be academically sound to be a good pilot.
It requires focus, punctuality, and discipline to get the commercial
licence and certificate.
“It has been a long road for the group of qualified pilots to
obtain their licences. With the award of certificate, they can fly commercial
planes,’’ Mr. Roebuck said.
He said the new pilots underwent two years of rigorous training
and 37 flying procedures.
On his part, Mr. Odozor said he had always dreamt of becoming a
pilot.
“Flying a plane has been my childhood dream, and I am happy
today that I’m a licensed commercial pilot at the age of 20.
“I never expected myself to be the youngest Nigerian to get the commercial
pilot licence, not to talk about in an advanced country like South Africa. I
was just pursuing my childhood dream of being a pilot.
“But I thank God that I have now made history, as a record
licensed commercial pilot in both Nigeria and South Africa,’’ Mr. Odozor said.
He said his immediate plan was to go for his instrument
type and rating courses.
“Aviation training is very wide. This is just the beginning. My
immediate plan is to enrol for my instrument type rating and Boeing 737
training courses,’’ Mr. Odozor said.
Mr. Odozor has equalled the record set by Ed Gardner, a Briton,
who obtained his commercial pilot licence at the age of 20 in 2008.
Before heading for South Africa for training, the Nigerian
attended Uchenna Secondary School in Owerri, the Imo State capital, graduating
in 2009.
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Goodluck to them all but are there aircraft for them? Again I hope one day they won't just divert the plane with pasangers to unknown land if their demand is not met. Shine ur eye when u get 2 airport o.
ReplyDeleteNigerians a great and and hard working people, we can do even more just to have the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMr odozor we Nigerians we thank God 4 u by making us proud we really apreciate God and pray 4 him to stlenghtend u in jesus name.Amen.
ReplyDeleteHope bro boko,nephew militants&distant relative kidnappin no go c u carry 4roger,well congras.
ReplyDelete9ja na personal effort no b say government,more wings to ur alredy growing flying wings
Thank God 4 a dream come true bro.l wish l were u.cngrats
ReplyDeleteThank God 4 a dream come true bro.l wish l were u.cngrats.ONYIIBEST.
ReplyDeleteWe tank GOD and him 4 makin our country proud.And tis also goes a long way 4 dem to know dat we Nigerians hav vast potentials if only we r given such oportunity to deliver
ReplyDeleteBrotherly u didn't jst mke urself nd ur family proud but also made us we 9ija proud, kudos to u.
ReplyDeleteIt is extremely fabulous that a 20 years young man become a commercial pilot hats off to you may deserve more success in future.Mortgage Note Buyers
ReplyDelete