Scholarship Row: Trainees Received N3.2m, Abandoned Programme, Says Azikel
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
The management of Azikel Group has revealed that two trainees of the aviation scholarship programme designed to empower young indigenes of Bayelsa state received N3.2 million each and abandoned the programme.
This is coming against the backdrop of a report published by an online medium, with the caption: “Bayelsa Pilot Trainee Sues Azikel Founder N1bn over Alleged Aviation Scholarship Scam.” The report also said that the two trainees had written a 49-page petition to the Bayelsa State Assembly.
Lead Communications Officer, Azikel Group, Austin Ebipade, in a statement made available to journalists in Yenagoa, dismissed the falsehood, stating that the aviation scholarship programme was designed to empower young people of the state and was not a scam.
Besides , he explained that it was not a public relations stunt as erroneously claimed, but a genuine project with no political colouration.
Ebipade said that Azikel Aviation Training programme is a philanthropic initiative designed to support Bayelsa youths aspiring for aviation training in pilots for helicopter, fixed wing aeroplane and aircraft maintenance engineering.
” Contrary to false reports, the scholarship programme is a genuine initiative aimed at empowering young individuals in Bayelsa State who aspire to pursue careers in aviation.
“The programme is devoid of any political affiliation or any financial benefit to the sponsor. It was for the sole purpose of supporting young Bayelsans who are interested in pursuing an aviation career and to obtain the best training and return to Nigeria.
“The programme, which covers training for helicopter pilots, fixed-wing airplane pilots, and aircraft maintenance engineers, is a philanthropic effort by the Azikel Group to support the youth of the state. It is important to note that the programme is not politically motivated, and the sponsor, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, is a successful businessman with no political ambitions,” he added.
According to him, the selection process for the programme was transparent, with applicants required to meet certain criteria, including age limits and passing a computer-based test. Two trainees, Kariyal Daukoru and Ebilatei Amabebe, he said, were selected for the programme and received monthly allowances during their in-house training.
“However, it was discovered that they had intentions to elope to the United States instead of completing the training as agreed. Subsequently, they voluntarily resigned from the programme.
“ Despite the Azikel Group’s willingness to support further training in the US, the trainees’ lack of commitment and questionable behaviour led to their resignation. It is regrettable that their actions included attempts to tarnish the reputation of the programme through social media,” the organisation added.
Moving forward, the Azikel Group said it remains committed to supporting deserving individuals in their pursuit of aviation careers, stressing that it believes that integrity and dedication are essential qualities for success in the aviation industry.
“However, management deemed it fit to put the record straight without joining issues, basically to stop them from further peddling untrue reports laced with lies to the unsuspecting public,” Ebipade stated.
