By Kenneth Ehigiator, with agency report
Johannesburg—The Federal Government’s amnesty programme appears to be yielding the desired results as three former Niger Delta militants, undergoing aviation training in South Africa have successfully done their solo flights as part of requirement for award of private pilot licence, PPL.

It was gathered that the ceremony, which took place at Afrika Union Aviation Academy, Mafikeng, North West Johannesburg, was witnessed by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr Kingsley Kuku.

Mr. Clifford Wilson, Manny Suku and Kufre Obot, who were among the 20 former militants, including two women, admitted at the flight academy last March, who flew for three hours.

At the ceremony, Kuku expressed delight at the performance of the former militants, saying “I am happy to see my brothers doing this solo flight and landing smoothly without an instructor. It gives us a sense of hope that if every Nigerian was given an opportunity, he or she will excel.”

Kuku commended President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting the programme aimed at empowering Niger Delta youths.

The Principal of the flight academy, Mr Allan Roebuck, described the trainees as a “crop of dedicated, disciplined and well-groomed young men and women,” adding that they had made Nigeria proud.

Wilson, who spoke on behalf of the trainees, said they had received sufficient training which prepared them for the solo flight.

“I am comfortable with the level of competence at the flight academy. This is a day that I have been waiting for and I am glad I made it,” he said.

Prior to the departure of the former militants for South Africa early in the year, Kuku had reminded them that their enrolment at the aviation academy in South Africa by the Federal Government was to ensure they took over the helicopter operations of oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta in future.