NASENI and Caverton Helicopters Kick Off Exclusive UAV Training for Women
The six-week training initiative began on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Caverton’s facility in Ikeja, Lagos. This endeavor forms part of the continuous collaboration between NASENI and Caverton, known as NASCAV, aimed at bolstering NASENI’s role in the aviation sector.
The training forms an essential part of the SHEFLY project, a groundbreaking program initiated by NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu. This effort seeks to equip rural women with skills in using drone technology for precise agriculture practices and enhanced crop production, which supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
During his address, Dr. Abayomi Okesola, the lead for the NASCAV project, speaking on behalf of NASENI management, warmly greeted the participants to the milestone training session with CAVERTON. He highlighted their status as valuable collaborators because of their remarkable history within the realms of aviation and maritime activities.
He mentioned that the SHEFLY project holds great significance for the EVC/CEO of NASENI, who views this undertaking as an important step towards advancing women in STEM disciplines and addressing the prevailing gender disparity.
Dr. Abayomi stated that choosing female participants from multiple institutions throughout various regions was a strategic move to help oversee centers established specifically to educate rural women about drone technology, thereby improving farming practices countrywide.
During his welcoming speech, MD CAVERTON Helicopters Captain Bello Ibrahim, represented by Director of Corporate Services Mr. Ayodele Omueti, highlighted that CAVERTON is a diversified company active in sectors such as aviation, marine services, and training. He stressed that effective training plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and accountability within these fields.
He emphasized that UAVs are part of the contemporary fleet in the aerospace industry, highlighting that "this training is crucial to keep up with international advances in technology."
Consequently, he encouraged the trainees to remain concentrated in order to gain the knowledge they came for.
The Project Coordinator from CAVERTON Drones, Mr. Ese Obukonise, mentioned that the training follows aerodynamic principles and is accredited by a UK licensing authority, guaranteeing adherence to global standards and optimal procedures.
He stated that this would allow the trainees to reach their full potential and make significant contributions to NASENI’s efforts.
He observed that the global demand for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots is remarkably high, and the SHEFLY project would not only foster gender diversity in this predominantly male domain but also enable women to take advantage of new prospects within UAV technology.
Once completed, the female trainees will then go on to instruct rural women farmers in using drone technology to enhance and increase agricultural output.
The SHEFLY initiative, set to launch shortly at the Aeronautic and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI) within NASENI located in Kaduna, aims to boost food security, elevate crop productivity, and augment the earnings of female farmers living in rural areas.
The goals of this initiative encompass training and placing female drone operators to aid in precise farming methods. This aims at boosting agricultural output and ensuring better food stability, encouraging rural females to embrace cutting-edge technology solutions, as well as promoting environmentally friendly cultivation techniques.
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