A non-governmental organisation, Project Sunshine, in partnership with International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, has equipped University of Ilorin secondary school students with materials and manuals needed to build an RC aircraft.
The training, which was organised under the AeroSTEM Fellowship programme, was an initiative of two United States of America-based Nigerian pilots –Idris Ekungba and Uchenna Abali.
Speaking during the training, Ekungba emphasised the need to invest in technology, noting that the initiative was inspired to foster a deep-seated passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among youths.
Ekungba, an alumnus of the school, said the children have been enlightened and empowered through the intricacies of drone building and how to fly a remote controlled aircraft.
He said: “Our initiative is to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling students to explore the boundless possibilities within STEM fields. By introducing them to cutting-edge technologies and hands-on experiences, we aspire to inspire a new generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers.
“The University of Ilorin secondary school, with its diverse pool of talents and commitment to advancing technological education, presents an ideal setting for this endeavour. We are motivated by the belief that education should transcend traditional boundaries, fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning.”
The school principal, Tajudeen Durojaiye, described the gesture as extraordinary, and appealed to the government to invest more in education.
Durojaiye said the training has helped in enlightening the students on how a plane flies.
In his remarks, a student pilot, Musa Aliyu, said 45 students from Kwara State were trained for three days on RC aircraft building and flying in the first phase of the Fellowship programme. Aliyu also urged the government to invest in the initiative, saying it can be used by the military to fight insurgency, if elevated to a drone.
