By BASHIR ADEFAKA
In effort to expand its aviation training facilities to meet with international standard, Caverton Helicopters, on Thursday, December 14th, 2023 commissioned its first-of-its kind Leonardo AW 109 Level 5 Simulator at its Aviation Training Center located at Murtala Muhammed lnternational Airport, lkeja Lagos.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; his wife, Yoyinsola; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; representrative of Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Bolaji Orederu; Chairman, Caverton Helicopters, Mallam Bello Gwandu; Chief ExecutiveOfficerof CavertonOffshoreSupportGroup, Mr. Bode Makanjuola; Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola; Chief Executive Offucer of Air Peace Limited, Mr. Allen Onyema; and former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda.
Left-Right: Chief Operating Officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola; Mrs. Yoyinsola Makanjuola; Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; Guest of Honour/Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat; and Chief Executive Officer, COSG, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, during the unveiling of Caverton Helicopter’s newly acquired Leonardo AW 109 Simulator at Caverton Aviation Training Center, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday December 14, 2023.
In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the founder and Chairman, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, and management for their vision in contributing to the Nigerian economy through job creation. According to him, “Baba could have locked up what God has given to him and not invest it”.
The governor described Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola as a man that has stayed in an uncommon terrain by the kind of business he does with Caverton, and commended him for the giant stride he has made.
“It gladdens my heart that indeed we can have maintenance of aircraft at this highest level, all just tucked in quietly in Lagos and nobody makes a lot of noise about it. I thought that was all. Now to also come into a facility that has world-class simulators where we can train, we can retrain, we can certify pilots of various grades. I think it’s an investment indeed.
“We need to commend the leadership of Caverton for being very audacious and for taking these right steps.
“Today we have seen the unveiling and the commissioning of a new simulator, the Leonardo AW109 simulator. I’ve been to a foreign simulator, but this is my second time, and I tell you, it doesn’t come any better than this. It is real and it has all of the trappings that are inside an aircraft.
“With this bold steps, Caverton is preventing capita flight as all the training are done locally,” he said.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, “With this new innovation, the number of skills, the number of military and commercial operators that will come to a facility like this to get adequate training will increase. Training that is normally being carried out abroad has now been created in our country and in Lagos. And I want to enjoin all players in the industry to rally and support investment like this.
“Let us ensure that whatever training that we require that does not need us to go abroad, we have it all in our locations and in our facility here in Lagos. And I want to commend the leadership and the management of Caverton,” he said.
The Governor ended his speech by commending the company for its safety standard at every level.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Olabode Makanjuola, said, “Today is a special day for us as we welcome you all to the launch of Caverton’s AW109 simulator!
“It is a a significant milestone in the advancement of aviation training in Nigeria, as we proudly unveil Caverton’s second simulator dedicated to supporting Nigerian pilots and the country’s rotary wing industry.
“Our first, a full reality AW 139 Simulator enables us to provide comprehensive and realistic training for our pilots, ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. The brand new AW109 simulator stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our pilots and ensuring the highest standards of safety and proficiency in aviation operations.
“The AW109 helicopter holds a pivotal role in Nigeria’s aerospace landscape, being utilized by crucial entities such as the Navy, Air Force, NIMASA, as well as various civil operators. As such, the introduction of this simulator is a crucial step towards bolstering the competence and preparedness of our pilots who rely on this sophisticated aircraft for a diverse array of missions,” he said.
Noting that Caverton’s investment in the state-of-the-art simulator underscores the company’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within the Nigerian aviation industry, Makanjuola said, “By providing our pilots with access to advanced training resources, we are not only elevating the standards of safety and operational efficiency but also positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for cutting-edge aviation training and expertise.”
Others who gave goodwill messages at the occasion included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogala, represented by Rear Admiral Bolaji Orederu.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Hamzat described the discoveries at Caverton training facility as inspiring.
Delivering a message on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Orederu found Caverton’s effort as an achievement that has reduced the stress and cost involved in aircraft maintenance, repairs and training of Nigerian pilots abroad.
Appreciating the governor and other guest that visited, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, announced that, “When I was 75 last week, I said I am no more a participant but an adviser to the company”.
He, however, announced the coming of third simulator, saying that what he had done in the business was to guide the managers who are Bode and Rotimi Makanjuola among others.
“We look for where the problem is and we provide solution. What I do tell them is to always raise the bar. I tell them that you don’t wait for competitors to come and compete with you before you start raising your bar,” the Chairman said.
Explaining the beauty of having the MRO and training centre with simulator on ground, 75-year-old Makanjuola said before now, it used to cost Caverton $2 million to train its pilots abroad but that with the simulator available here in Nigeria and at the facility, “We don’t have to do it abroad anymore but right here.”
He was grateful to the Nigerian government for creating the enabling environment leading to the success of the company.
He said, ‘when I started, I didn’t have the money”. With the support we got, here we are. Today “if I go to Bank of Industry and ask for €5 million, they won’t ask me what I want to use it for because they know that I pay back,” he said in his inspiring regards to guests and upcoming business people at the event.
