Ilorin — Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, yesterday said the move to establish International Aviation College in the state is meant to tackle unemployment among the teeming youths.

This, he said, would go a long way in putting the state on a sound footing of economic prosperity, devoid of criminal activities. Already, he said the state government had spent N1.6billion on the project, which would be private sector driven, adding that 50 hectares of land had been acquired for the College along airport road, Ilorin.

Speaking in Ilorin, after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Horizon Aviation Academy of Dubai, Saraki expressed confidence that the college, which will commence operation next year May, will not only be the best in Nigeria, but also in the African continent.

He said, "with the establishment of the Aviation College in the state, there is going to be impetus for young graduates to be trained as pilots, and this would provide job opportunities for youths."

He said his administration was taking another giant stride in aviation sector, after the breakthrough in commercial agriculture initiative in the country, adding that the idea came into fruition, as a result of gross under-utilisation of the Ilorin International Airport, adding that the initiative will further strengthen the aviation sector and make it safer for the development of Nigeria.