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Glamour, Fanfare as Aeroport College Graduates Hundreds at Third Convocation, Awards Ceremony
By Eric Elezuo
The Aeroport College of Aviation and Travel Management last weekend churned out over 250 travel professionals and consultants to the society in an event rated as the best in its three years of facilitating travel and aviation education.
Mr Oludayo and Miss Adebimpe
Held at the prestigious Welcome Centre Hotel, located at the busy Airport Road, the event, which was the Third Convocation and Awards Ceremony of the great institution, was a conglomeration of notable travel professionals, past students of the institution, who are already making impact in the society, hundreds of graduating students as well as members of the general public. Among them was the Vice President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Adelola Adewole, who was the Special Guest of Honour.
Director of Studies, Aeroport College, Mr. Oludayo Taiwo Gideon
Welcoming the teeming guests, graduands and well wishers of the institution, the College’s Director of Studies who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of the Aeroport Group, Mr. Oludayo Taiwo Gideon, reminisced on the success of the past two editions and the prolific status of its graduates over the months, stressing that much as the school started with just a few students, it has today blossomed into an envy among travel practitioners and in the travel world.
DOS, wife and daughter
“Last year, we graduated 207 students, but this year, we are graduating about 250 students from various departments of the College…,” he said.
Guest Speaker, Mrs Adelola Adewale, DOS and guest
The DOS, as he is referred to, also used the opportunity to pay tribute to his late father, Pa Samuel Oludayo, who passed on recently. Pa Oludayo was until his death, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Aeroport Group.
Aggregating the achievements of the College since the last convocation in 2018, Oludayo informed that the College has spread its tentacles to Port Harcourt, which will be graduating its first set of students in December. He also said that the Abuja centre of the college will kick off next year. He also pride the College as a complete environment for building the complete student, saying: “In building and training our students to stand out among their peers, the school imbibe in them academic, moral and social values that will better equip them for the real-world challenges”.
The DOS honoring the Special Guest, Mrs Adewale
In her address, the Special Guest, Mrs. Adewole eulogised the management and staff as well as students of the College for their giant strides in just a space of three years, saying that the sky is the limit to what the school can achieve.
With breath taking performances following in quick succession, Mr. Oludayo took the centre stage to honour deserving practitioners in the aviation and travel industry. Among those honoured were Mr. Oluwaseyi Adegoke Adeyemo of Aerovessel Travels and Tours, who was presented with the Role Model leader’s award. Others on the Special Recognition include Engr. Ade Obadofin of Aeroconsult Slithers Travels and Tours limited; Eghosa Agbonlahor of Tosa Travels and Ayo Omotosho of travelogue Communications Limited.
Mr Oludayo, best graduating student and 2018 best student
The College also honoured two deserving individuals in the Ambassador award category. They are Mr. Awobona Akeem Olabode of Milano Travels and Michelle A. F. Diette spiff of Ask Me Africa Travels.
Other awardees emerged from the Youth Tourism Legend, Outstanding Travel Agent, Woman in Leadership and Distinguished Partnership awards.
Presenting the certificates of merits to the graduating students, who emerged from various departments including air Ticketing and Reservation, Travel Agency Management, Cargo Handling and Tourism Management, Mr. Oludayo charged them to be good and great ambassadors of the institution, and exhibit all they have been taught in other to excel in all areas of life.
Another awardee recognized
The high point of the event was the recognition and presentation of the Overall Best Graduating Student Award to Miss Adebimpe Adebiyi. She was crowned by the 2018 Overall Best Graduating student.
Soft spoken and ever smiling Adebimpe told PointBlank that her emergence as the best graduating student came to her as a surprise though she worked hard for it. She said that there were also many other students who also hard, “but I’m glad I beat them to become the best”.
Speaking on the criteria to selecting the overall best, Mr. Oludayo informed that though academics excellence is the highest point of consideration, other issues like morals, neatness and others are also considered.
A cross section of graduating students
“You must be an all round student to win the overall best award, and Adebimpe firmly qualify to win,” he said.
The institution also crowned Mr. and Miss Aeroport to round off the activities marking the 2019 Convocation and Awards ceremonies before the anniversary cake was cut by close members of the DOS family, school management committee and distinguished guests.
In addition, the DOS throw an open invitation to all to attend the Fifth anniversary celebration of Aeroport also in December. He added that the event will witness the rebranding of the brand in terms of logo change and other notable and profitable changes.
An awardee receiving his award
Taiwo Gideon Oludayo is a Chief Executive Officer of Aeroport Travels and Tours and Director of Studies of Aeroport College of Aviation and Travel Management. He has an 11 years cumulative experience in the travel industry. He is reputed to have produced over 700 travel professionals and is keen in creating job opportunities for the Nigerian teeming youths. He has supported so many youths, helping them to eradicate poverty and create an exciting and hunger-free world for themselves. He also pride himself as the ‘Father Abraham’ of the travel professionals.
Mr. Oludayo is married with adorable children.
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that 38 persons, including seven crew members, were injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Lagos on Friday morning.
The Boeing 787-8 flight with 245 passengers was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it developed problems midair and was forced to return to the airport.
There were also 11 crew members – eight attendants and three pilots – on the plane.
The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
She, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries.
According to her, 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The statement read: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 11:59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3:37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the headquarters clinic.”
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
