News
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.
The Federal High Court In Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of the Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of their bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, also ordered the remand of his co-dedendants, his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives Bashir Asabe.
Justice Nwite made the order after taking arguments from the defence team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution counsel Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).
Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants conspired at various times to conceal, retain and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities running into several billions of naira.
According to the charge, the alleged offences span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano and other locations.
The commission further alleges that some of the offences were committed while Malami was serving as Attorney-General of the Federation, in breach of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sent a veiled message to Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying support for President Bola Tinubu alone will not guarantee any election ticket.
Wike made the statement on Sunday during a public outing in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
His remarks were widely seen as directed at Governor Fubara, amid lingering political crisis in the State.
The former Governor of Rivers State said political loyalty must be tested during difficult times, not after power has been secured.
He mocked those he described as late supporters of President Tinubu, insisting that sudden alignment would not earn political rewards.
He said: “So the issue is not whether you are supporting Tinubu. That one, we have taken too long, long… Yes, oh. So Tinubu’s issue is not an issue again. Yes. Do you understand me? Yes. Tinubu’s issue is that nobody should be coming here to tell a day. We are for Tinubu; I am against you. Who is for Tinubu University? (laughs) That cannot give you any ticket oh! (laughs again) Direct, direct. It will not. Direction. Direction.”
Wike stressed that his political camp stood with Tinubu when the decision was unpopular. He said that support given under pressure carries more weight than alignment after victory.
He also recalled how the Rivers State House of Assembly openly backed Tinubu early, long before the election outcome was certain.
According to him, some of those now making public declarations were absent during the critical period.
“The same people now who came to declare, put them to God… But they should declare they are saying it for a candidate. Yes. Don’t you see characters? (laughs) So I send the sword far ahead of them.”
Wike further spoke on governance and continuity. He defended projects and agreements initiated during his tenure as governor. He said it is often difficult for successors to acknowledge past efforts, even though government is a continuous process.
His comments come weeks after Governor Fubara formally aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party of President Tinubu.
The move followed months of political crisis in Rivers State, which led to federal intervention and a declaration of emergency rule.
Political watchers believe Wike’s remarks constitute a direct response to Fubara’s recent positioning as a key Tinubu ally in Rivers politics. Critics argue that Fubara’s support surfaced only after the political storm had settled.
Wike, who remains a dominant force in Rivers State politics despite serving in Abuja, appears to have drawn a clear line ahead of the 2027 elections.
He suggested that political tickets would be decided by proven loyalty, not convenience.
Videos from the event in Rumuche, Emohua, spread rapidly on social media. Many users described the speech as a coded warning to the governor.
As of press time, neither the Rivers State Government nor Wike’s media team had issued an official clarification.
The comments, however, suggest that the political rift between both camps is still active, despite earlier peace moves brokered at the national level.
The opposition African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party on Sunday criticized President Bola Tinubu for departing Nigeria for Europe on holiday at a time the country is grappling with rising insecurity, including foreign military interventions in the North.
The Presidency announced on Sunday that Tinubu left Lagos for Europe for his end-of-year holiday ahead of an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to attend the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the trip was by invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the summit, which gathers global leaders from government, business, and civil society to advance sustainable development strategies.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has invited President Tinubu to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January,” the statement read.
Reacting to Tinubu’s departure, the ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, faulted the timing as inappropriate given the security challenges facing the country.
The ADC noted the deadly terrorist bomb blast in Zamfara and the ongoing foreign military involvement, calling the President’s move insensitive.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s lack of care is alarming. In the wake of another deadly bomb blast in Zamfara, and following an unprecedented foreign military attack on Nigerian soil, the nation is waiting for reassurance from its leader. Instead, we learn the President has gone on holiday. What a President!” Abdullahi said.
Similarly, LP’s acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, described the trip as “insensitive and devoid of empathy” for Nigerians facing violent attacks and humanitarian crises.
Speaking through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, she stressed that the President should have remained in the country to coordinate security responses.
“This is the most inauspicious time for the President to leave the country. Even the Christmas holiday in Lagos seems ill-timed, given that a bomb exploded in Zamfara today, killing nine people,” Usman said.
She further alleged that Nigeria was under external attack and accused the government of downplaying the severity of the situation.
“Nigeria is under attack by a foreign nation. No matter how the government tries to frame this, it is a violation of our sovereignty. This is the time for the commander-in-chief to coordinate the response, not embark on a holiday,” Usman said.
She added that the President had not convened critical security meetings since the U.S.-led bombardment of terrorist camps in Kwara and Sokoto States and condemned the perceived lack of engagement with military leadership.
The President’s trip comes amid heightened security concerns. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump authorised AFRICOM to conduct airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State, hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the operation. A deadly bomb blast in Zamfara on Friday claimed several lives.
The 17th edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will run from January 11 to 15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go.”
The event aims to connect innovation, finance, and people to advance sustainable development.
Onanuga confirmed that Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the summit.
Hosted by Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy company, the summit will feature the invitation-only ADSW Summit, the World Future Energy Summit, the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, and specialised sessions on hydrogen, climate finance, water security, and utilities in the Global South. Organisers expect more than 50,000 participants from over 170 countries, featuring over 700 global brands and exhibitions of emerging clean technologies.
The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, noted that ADSW 2026 builds on two decades of the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy.
Tinubu previously attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2025, where he held meetings with Gulf investors and officials on trade, energy cooperation, and climate finance.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu has undertaken at least 46 foreign trips, spending an estimated 192 days abroad as of October 2025. In 2025 alone, he travelled internationally no fewer than 15 times to countries including Ghana, the UAE, Tanzania, France, Italy, Saint Lucia, Japan, and Brazil for summits, bilateral engagements, and holidays.
