IBUAM: 5 Years Comprehensive Academic and Practical Training For Borno Indigenes Courtesy of Babagana Zulum’s Administration

IBUAM: 5 Years Comprehensive Academic and Practical Training For Borno Indigenes Courtesy of Babagana Zulum’s Administration

By: Balami Lazarus

Let me use this space and opportunity to make it clear that News Net Global Limited (NEWSng) Abuja and I are not media consultants to Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos (IBUAM). I have to bring this to the fore because some persons are presenting us as her media officers.

I was in Maiduguri recently on assignment for my firm, and during the course of the assignment, I decided to make time to do some independent investigations on the ₦12.9 billion scholarship offered to 54 students, indigenes of Borno State, courtesy of the state government, under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum, who believed in the progress and future of Borno State through Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Oshodi-Lagos (IBUAM).

The scholarship is meant to educate and empower young students of Borno who meet the necessary requirements to study and be trained both intellectually and practically at IBUAM in various fields of aeronautics engineering and management as future pilots, aircraft/aerospace engineers, and aviation management experts to become future global leaders in the international aviation space (industry) equipped with comprehensive knowledge in modern aviation arts and techniques for the growth and development of Nigeria.

The Zulum administration has thought it wise to give young citizens of Borno State origin these golden opportunities through the State Scholarship Board.

This initiative, however, did not go well with some indigenes of Borno. Reliable sources based on my findings revealed that some members of the state executive council, Borno elders’ forum, among others, were not happy with the scholarship program meant for the 54 IBAUM students of Borno. In fact, before now it was a tug of war that generated a storm of bitter sentiments in a teacup greater than a mug.

In a brief chat with Engr. Isaac Balami, he informed this writer that he appreciates with gratitude the Borno State Government under the able leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum for believing in IBAUM to train its indigenes in the fields of aeronautics engineering and aviation management for the growth and development of the aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond. “IBUAM and I are grateful to my governor, Engr. Babagana Zulum, and those that have contributed to the realization of the scholarship program.”

Let me also state here categorically that scholarship programs are always provided under terms and conditions that are formulated by the offerer, like the case in question. But some individuals in government and other bodies are cogs in the wheel of such progress.

Are you aware that there are characteristics and physical differences between Engr. Isaac David Balami, an individual, and Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM)? In a nutshell, herein are two entities—individual and institutional. But here are some citizens poised and wrapped in ignorance, raising eyebrows on collective future benefits.

The $12.9 billion doled out by the Borno State Government was not given to Engr. Isaac David Balami and shall never be his personal money from this day forward. I believed if and when anyone were to ask about the said money, that individual should go and ask IBUAM, not Engr. Isaac David Balami.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist. 08036779390

IBUAM: 5 Years Comprehensive Academic and Practical Training For Borno Indigenes Courtesy of Babagana Zulum’s Administration