Akamelu Somtochukwu of Princeton College, Surulere and Nater Paul Akpen of Benue State University have both emerged as winners at the Grand Finale of the 11th National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2022).
They emerged winners from a short list of top 10 and top five finalists from a pool of entries in the Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions Categories respectively.
The topics for NTEC 2022 include: “Ground Accident Prevention In Air Transportation,” for the Secondary Schools; and “The Role of Biometrics and Mobile Technology on The Future of Air Travel,” for Tertiary Institutions.
The gathering which attracted youths from Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions across the country was part of the Air Transport Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES) organised annually by Travel and Business News (TBN), one of Nigeria’s leading travel trade magazines.
The Seminar held on recently at the Training Centre of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos was themed: “Securing The Future of Aviation in Nigeria.”
Eminent personalities who graced the occasion and also doubled as members of the Panel of Independent Assessors include: the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, who was represented by Mrs. Oyetoun Adegbesan, Deputy General Manager, Economic Regulation and Facilitation; the Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Mr. Basil Agboarumi, who chaired the occasion and was represented by Mrs. Christie Oseghale, General Manager, Safety and Quality; the MD, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu who was represented by Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba, the Regional Manager South West; Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Matthew Pwajok who was represented by Mr. Gabriel Akinlade; and Engr. Ifeanyi Ogochukwu, former General Manager, ICT, NAMA represented by Ms. Ene Onyeke, Technology Advocate, Debbie Mishael Consulting; and among others.
The event also witnessed excellent presentations and robust engagements with students from participating schools delivered by seasoned industry professionals.
They comprised a Pilot with DANA Air, Mr. Adebayo Apapa; a Flight Dispatcher and Managing Director, Aviatrix Hub; Mrs. Victoria Adegbe, a Cabin Crew also with DANA Air, Miss. Omolola Oladipo; and an Air Traffic Controller, Rev. Agbolahor Felix.
Following a rigorous session of oral presentations in defense of entries by the finalists in the Secondary Schools Category, Miss Akamelu Somtochukwu of Princeton College, Surulere, Lagos emerged as the Grand Prize Winner of N100, 000 cash and a free ticket sponsored by DANA Air.
Second place went to Bamigbade Aneefah of Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School (MMASS), Ikeja with a cash prize of N60, 000 and a free ticket courtesy of DANA Air; while third place went to Igweonu Praise also of MMASS with a cash prize of N40, 000.
In the Tertiary Institutions Category, Mr. Nater Paul Akpen of Benue State University, Makurdi came first with a cash prize of N150, 000 and a free ticket to Nairobi sponsored by Kenya Airways.
Miss Nwafor Merciful of University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus came second with a cash prize of N100, 000 and a free ticket courtesy of DANA Air; and third place went to Mr. Oyedele Philemon Oluwakyejo, of the University of Ibadan with a cash prize of N50, 000.
As part of the Youth Empowerment initiative of the forum, five Training Scholarships in Ticketing and Reservation were also given to young graduates courtesy of Sabre Travel Network West Africa, a foremost travel technology solutions company.
Beneficiaries of the scholarships selected via a raffle draw include Miss Olamide Shobowale, Mrs. Peace Akinsulire, Mrs. Grace Akinwumi, Miss Okosesi Esther, and Mr. Emmanuel Anigbo.
Adegbe also offered a Training Scholarship in Flight Dispatch for one student. And through a raffle draw once again, the offer went to Miss Oyedeji Moyinoluwa of Princeton College, Surulere.
Other sponsors of this year’s event include the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, EgyptAir, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and OCP International.
NTEC was established in 2009 with a view to discovering hidden talents and encouraging young Nigerians to follow a career in the aviation and travel and tourism sectors of the economy.
It is also aimed at drumming up greater awareness and support for the air transport industry, and is geared towards raising future aviation professionals in an effort to bridge the skills gap and address the challenge of ageing workforce currently being faced in the sector.