The administration of Governor Abdulfatahi Ahmed of Kwara State has in the last one year accorded the transportation sector priority attention. The government has spent large sums of money in its bid to improve road and air transportation in the state.

During the period under review, the state-owned Harmony Holdings procured 42 new buses for the Kwara State Transport Corporation to improve the operational efficiency of the transport company. The company invested about N.5bn in the 'Kwara Express', now Harmony Express with the procurement of the buses and the injection of another N170m into the scheme to revamp the transport company.

Roads construction and rehabilitation also enjoyed from the sum of N3.2b which the government released for the completion of outstanding capital projects in the Education, Energy, Health, Works and Justice Sectors in the state.

Some of the ongoing road projects in the state include; the Aduralere-Isalekoko-Ojagboro-Sanu Sheu road, Henry George-Agbo-Oba road, Henry George-Unilorin mini campus road, Ita-Alamu village road, Oloro palace road, Share-Oke ode (lot 1), Share-Oke ode (lot 2), Kishi-Kaiama road, Egbejila road, Ilorin, Arobadi Magida road in Moro LG, Baboko Market road, Ilesha Baruba-Gwanara road, Rore-Ipetu road, construction of three span bridge in Ilala, Ifelodun LG, Oniju Street Babanloma in Ifelodun LG and Anilelerin road, Offa.

The government further approved N850m for the implementation of critical grassroot projects in 192 wards across the state. The initiative, which is a collaboration between the Kwara State Government and the World Bank, will focus on projects on roads, education, health, energy and water.

Governor Ahmed, during this period also commissions the Forgo Battery Plant in Ilorin, the state capital. Governor Ahmed capped it up with the flagging off of helicopter training at International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin. The epoch making event made IAC to be the first aviation institution in West Africa to provide fixed and rotor wing training.

The all-important event was graced by Kwara State governor, Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed, the representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Goddy Anyakpe, the chairman of the college, Captain Edward Boyo, the state's Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Okaula, members of the state executive and security councils.

The IAC is carrying out the helicopter training in partnership with the Nigerian Navy. The elated Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was full of praises for his predecessor and incumbent Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki for establishing the College which is now a pride of all Kwarans.

Ahmed, who flagged off the training programme said the event reaffirmed his administration's commitment to promoting the aviation's growth and development. "Having pioneered state government- owned aviation training in Nigeria, we stand poised to take the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin to the next level in its development, " he said.

He noted with delight that IAC, since 2012 when it commenced operation has continued to focus on producing the best pilots and aviation professionals in line with global best practices. The inclusion of helicopter training in the range of courses offered by the college, the governor noted would no doubt enable it achieve the much desired objective of becoming a one- stop aviation training institution which will further showcase Kwara as an aviation hub in the country.

Ahmed added: "It is also imperative to note that the institution's partnership with various military organisations in the country such as the Nigerian Navy and Air force testifies to its growing reputation as a centre of excellence in aviation training." "Indeed, it is on record that IAC, Ilorin trained 25 cadets of the Nigeria Air force in 2014 while several states and foreign governments have indicated interest in sponsoring students for training here."

"At this juncture, let me salute the vision of my predecessor and current president of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki for his vision in recognising a gap in aviation training in Nigeria and establishing this college to occupy that niche. No doubt, the establishment of this College has enhanced Kwara State's reputation and boosted socio- economic life in the area and the state as a whole. As a government of continuity therefore, we have expanded the IAC's operational capacity through financial support and provision of additional aircraft."

"Given IAC's accomplishments, facilities and partnership with elite organisations such as the Nigerian Navy and Air force, I call on aviation operators in Nigeria to employ more locally trained pilots as Nigeria has the training facilities, structures and personnel to train World class pilots". Governor Ahmed recalled that the IAC and the Nigerian Navy had in 2015 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for helicopter training of the latter's personnel as part of the Navy's repositioning strategy in the area of building capacity for their staff.

"Additionally, today's flag- off of helicopter training makes IAC the number one destination for comprehensive aviation training in Nigeria and West Africa," he concluded. In an address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I.E. Ibas, who was represented by Rear Admiral Goddy Anyakpe, said the event marked a landmark in the partnership for training entered into between the Navy Holdings Limited and IAC.

He said the development was the manifestation of a whole gamut of long and complex background work by the representatives of both parties drawn over a period of one year. "This partnership to train aviators is a bold step towards a vision of creating a regional aviation training hub here in Ilorin through the establishment of an aviation centre and school which will follow shortly."

"The reason for these are obvious; after 30 years of the existence of the Nigerian Navy Air Arm with heavy reliance on foreign technical and training requirements, in the face of its huge dependence on foreign exchange components and the downward turn of the economy as well as being desirous to develop local capacities in line with national policy, the NN decided it was time to make the bold step forward." "The choice of the IAC also goes with a wide array of considerations which include the climate and weather factors for all year round aviation at the location, the facilities available at the Ilorin International Airport as well as IAC's record of breaking new grounds and achieving excellence."

"The principal objective is that by bringing together IAC's expertise and facilities, with the Navy's rotary facilities, experience and reputation, we hope to create a unique combination of fixed and rotary wing training for civil and non- civil organisations and individuals in the West African sub- region and beyond within one institution." "For the NN, we wish to train our aviators to global standards, improve their proficiency, thereby building their capacity, thus contributing to the overall efficiency in coordinated naval operations for the nation's maritime domain," he stated.