Buhari Urges completion work on Manufacturing of first Nigerian-made Helicopter

• I need Nigerian made helicopter before I handover-Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has given a fresh mandate to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Airforce Institute of Technology (AFIT) Kaduna to complete work on the ongoing manufacturing of the first Nigerian-made Helicopter before the end of his administration.

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna made this known at AFIT Kaduna when he led a team of NASENI Staff on a visit to the site of NASENI’s new Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI) located in AFIT which houses the Made in Nigeria Helicopter project.

Prof Haruna revealed that President Buhari looked forward to a formal launch of the Helicopter before May 29 2023 which marks the end of the present administration.

The NASENI Executive Vice Chairman during a meeting with the newly appointed commandant of AFIT Air Vice Marshal Paul Olugbeji Jemitola today in Kaduna explained that President Buhari was particularly interested in the completion of works on the Made in Nigeria Helicopter during NASENI quarterly briefing of Mr President by the EVC/CE on the activities of the Agency last week.

Prof Haruna recalled that the President specifically asked about the ongoing works on the project, stressing that President Buhari’s enquiry on the Helicopter project was an indication that the President was keen on the need to complete work on the manufacturing of the Helicopter.

Responding, the Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Jemitola noted that the order from Mr.President  “is a task that must be carried out on the completion of work on the project. No stone will be left unturned in order to accomplish the work so that the desire of Mr President on the Helicopter Project will be realized”

Jemitola said “NASENI has been instrumental to the development of many facilities in AFIT in the past while commending the proactiveness and the dynamism with which NASENI now does its work.

 “AFIT welcomes the Challenge by Mr President, the existing MoU between NASENI and AFIT, and the significance of the project, all combined to make the presidential challenge worthwhile”

Prof Haruna while clarifying on the significance of AAVDI as NASENI emerging institute, disclosed that “the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Equipment Development Institute located at AFIT Kaduna is one of the new institutes of NASENI approved by President Buhari. The institute has the mandate to research and develop spare parts, components and systems of Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Technologies. It is mandated to produce both passenger and military aircraft through backward integration. It is the Centre of NASENI Helicopter project assembly and the first Made in Nigeria Helicopter now being relocated to AAVDI.”

The visit, he said, was for site take over, design and to strategize the commencement of construction work to fast track the take-off of the project.