US-based foundation, Aviation College train students on drone operation

Project Sunshine, a US-based non-profit organisation, has partnered with the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, to organise AeroSTEM Fellowship for 45 secondary school students in selected schools in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

AeroSTEM Fellowship is designed to provide interactive learning activities to young adults to equip them with materials and manuals to build an RC aircraft.

Project Sunshine is championed by two US-based Nigerian Pilots – Capt. Idris Ekungba and Capt. Uchena Abali – who work with American Airlines and Delta Airlines respectively.

At the closing of the three-day programme, Capt. Ekungba, said the fellowship was a way of giving back to the community where he spent his formative years.

He stressed on the need to catch the kids young to develop interest in STEM, noting that only about 15 per cent of African children have knowledge about STEM.  

He hailed the performance of the students during the three-day training, saying, “We also had teachers from each of these schools come in with the students to also learn what we are teaching the students because we also have to be following up with them over the next years. It is a long-term process. The short-term is starting from here.”

Capt. Abali on his part hailed the level of assimilation of the students, saying they surpassed their expectations.

The Rector of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Capt. Yakubu Okatahi, said the programme was imperative in developing the next generation of STEM enthusiasts and aviation professionals who would take over from those retiring.