…From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan…
Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja has advised Nigerian students in Aviation technology and Medical Sciences to take advantage of the sophisticated Technical Education available in Jordan, the quality of which, he said, is comparable to what obtains anywhere in the world. This, he said, is desirable to further promote global competitiveness of the nation’s Aviation and Medical sectors.
Arapaja gave the advice in the course of his working visit to Jordan Universities, where he observed the need for full cooperation between Jordan and Nigeria in the area of technical Education and Medical Sciences, since Jordan appears to have comparative advantage in those discipline as the country is rated the best in Medical and Health Sciences in the Gulf region and fifth in the whole world.
A statement issued by the media aide to the ambassador, Kola Adegoke, copies of which were made available to journalists in Ibadan remarked that Alhaji Arapaja equally noted that in Aviation technology and Aeronautic Engineering, Jordan is among the best in the world, the reason why most Airlines in Nigeria and across the world patronize Jordan for the maintenance and repair of their aircrafts.
Among those Airlines that patronize Jordan for maintenance and repair of aircraft from Nigeria are Arik Air, Chachangi and Aero – Contractor to mention a few. Besides, Jordan-trained pilots are recognized all over the world for effectiveness and efficiency, Arapaja noted.
In this regard, Arapaja, the former Deputy Governor of Oyo State listed the Middle East Aviation Academy (MEA) and Ayla Aviation Academy as reputable institution in Jordan offering world class training in the field of Aviation from which Nigerian youths can benefit with the hope of acquiring first class experise in Aviation Technology and allied disciplines . They offer twenty two months diploma courses in Aviation Maintenance Diploma course and Air-Frame and Power Plant Maintenance Diploma Course.
The Nigerian envoy to Jordan hinted that prior to his posting to Jordan arrival of there were only seventy Nigerian students studying various courses in Jordan but today,with the doggedness and commitment, the number has soared to about three hundred and fifty, with great prospect for more Nigerians moving to Jordan, he said the direct flight he brokered a few months ago is of tremendous assistance in this direction.
Ambassador Arapaja however lauded President Goodluck Jonathan and some Nigerian governors who have availed their citizens the opportunity to benefit from the sophisticated education in Jordan. According to Arapaja, earlier this year, the government of Kano State sponsored one hundred and fifty students on scholarship to study different courses in the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, Amman. in addition to the reasonable number of students sponsored by the Federal Government through its Amnesty Programme to study in this same Aviation Academy, while the government of Katsina State also sponsored some students on scholarship in various Universities in Jordan
It is worthy of note that Jordan possess a serene and conducive atmosphere for learning. In the whole of the gulf region, there is peace in Jordan and the citizens are relatively friendly.
According to Ambassador Arapaja, Universities and colleges in Jordan where Nigerian students can receive top class training 9kqv include Jordan University, Amman; Ahlil Bayt University, Mafraq, Royal Jordanian Air Academy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid; Yarmouk University, World Islamic Science and Education University, Amman to mention a few.
He therefore enjoined governments and well meaning Nigerians to borrow a leaf from those who have taken the lead, to avail our youths the opportunity to benefit from those sophisticated courses in Jordan, in which the country has comparative advantage.
Ambassador Arapaja further said in this age of globalization, Nigerians should seek to maximize opportunities offered by collaborative efforts between Nigeria and other countries and Jordan is one of such countries with huge prospects for maximum gains Nigerians can derive from bilateral relations between Nigeria and Jordan. This he said he is pursuing with all sense of patriotism and responsibility.