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.
