PETITION TO THE BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT
Petition Against DR Azibapu Eruani and Azikel Group for Breach of Commitment and Neglect of The Azikel Aviation Training Program
Submitted by:
Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru
Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Date: 07/07/2025
Contact Information:
Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru
44 Location Road, Akenfa 1, Yenagoa
kariya.ezekiel@gmail.com | 08066528434
Engr. Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Flat 2, Dides Close, Tamara Street, PDP Express, Yenagoa
ebilateyebei@gmail.com | 09156474239
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PETITION TO THE BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
Subject: Breach of Commitment and Neglect of the Azikel Aviation Training Program
Petitioners: Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru & Engr. Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Date: July 7, 2025
OVERVIEW
This petition seeks urgent intervention by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly regarding the Azikel Aviation Training Program,an initiative publicly launched in 2023 by Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR, President of the Azikel Group. The program promised fully sponsored aviation training in the United States for 155 Bayelsa youths.
“Out of 767 applicants, only two candidates;-Ezekiel Kariyai and Yebei Ebilate,surpassed the 80% cut-off in a CBT exam reportedly designed to be nearly impossible.”
Despite public assurances, the program has failed to deliver on its promises. Over 15 months later, the selected candidates remain untrained, misled, and professionally stalled.
KEY ISSUES
Breach of Public Commitment:
Despite passing the CBT and completing a six-month probation, the promised training has not commenced. The program’s original commitments—including full sponsorship from PPL to ATPL—have been abandoned without explanation.
Deception and Misrepresentation:
Internal testimonies and former staff confessions reveal that the CBT was intentionally designed to be nearly impossible, with no real intention to train successful candidates.
Psychological and Professional Harm:
Petitioners abandoned academic and career pursuits based on the program’s promises. They endured gaslighting, silence, and subtle threats from Azikel Group representatives.
Lack of Legal Safeguards:
No formal contracts, scholarship letters, or training agreements were issued. Communication was erratic, and institutional accountability was absent.
Erosion of Public Trust:
The program, led by a CFR honoree, has undermined confidence in private-sector-led youth empowerment initiatives in Bayelsa State.
PETITIONERS’ REQUESTS
A formal investigation into the administration of the Azikel Aviation Training Program.
A public hearing summoning Azikel Group representatives to account for:
The status of the program
The reasons for prolonged delays
Fulfillment of the original training promise: PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE→ COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE → AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT LICENSE → TYPE RATING.
Establishment of a transparent communication channel with a designated liaison.
A clear timeline for visa processing, travel, and training commencement.
Legislative oversight for future private-sector empowerment programs.
A formal statement recognizing the emotional and professional toll on the petitioners.
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
11 formal letters sent to Azikel Group (only 1 response received)
Audio/video recordings of public promises and internal conversations
Testimonies from former and current Azikel staff
Screenshots of public statements and promotional materials
CONCLUSION
This petition is not just a personal plea,it is a call to defend the integrity of youth empowerment in Bayelsa State. The petitioners respectfully request the Assembly’s intervention to restore justice, accountability, and hope.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page…………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Executive Summary…………………………………………………………..………………………...2
Table of contents……………………………………………………………..………………………….4
Introduction .........................................................................……………………….5
Background ...............................................................................………………….5
- What is the Azikel Aviation Training Scheme?
- Program Objectives
- Selection Process
- Timeline Highlights
- Training Destination
- Partners & Support
- Remarks from Stakeholders
How It All Started ....................................................................………………….7
Exams at the Federal University Otuoke ICT Centre ............………………….……7
Deacon Robert Igali’s Announcement ...................................…………………….8
Meeting with Dr. Azibapu Eruani ...........................................…………………...8
The Period of Probation ........................................................…………………..9
The Happenings of March ...................................................………………….….9
Our Lives Before the Scheme ..............................................……………………11
Personal and social fallout: The human cost of broken promises…………….11
Our Findings at the Hangar ................................................…………………....12
- Testimonies from Hangar Staff
- Statements from Current Executives
- Audio and Video Evidence
Core Issues .............................................................………………................ 14
Legal and Ethical Concerns ................................................…………………….16
Our Requests ......................................................................……………….…18
Next steps: a global call for accountability………………………………………………19
Conclusion ............................................................................………………..19
Appendix A: Chronology of Events .....................................……………………21
Appendix B: Copies of Correspondence .............................…………………….23
PETITION TO THE BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
Petition Against Azikel Group for Breach of Commitment and Prolonged Neglect of the Azikel Aviation Training Program Beneficiaries
Date: 07/07/2025
To:
The Speaker; Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere
Bayelsa State House of Assembly
Assembly Complex, Onopa, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State, Nigeria
From:
Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru
44 Location Road, Akenfa 1, Yenagoa
kariya.ezekiel@gmail.com | 08066528434
Engr. Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Flat 2, Dides Close, Tamara Street, PDP Express, Yenagoa
ebilateyebei@gmail.com | 09156474239
INTRODUCTION
We, the undersigned, write to formally petition the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to investigate and intervene in the matter of the Azikel Aviation Training Program, a private initiative publicly announced and administered by the Azikel Group under the leadership of Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR. We are the only two successful candidates from a pool of 767 applicants in 2023, and we have endured over 15 months of broken promises, silence, and institutional neglect.
BACKGROUND
WHAT IS THE AZIKEL AVIATION TRAINING SCHEME?
The Azikel Aviation Training Scheme is a fully sponsored initiative by Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless CFR, President of the Azikel Group. It is designed to empower youths from Bayelsa State, Nigeria, by offering them world-class aviation training in the United States.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Empower Bayelsa youths with high-level aviation skills
Create employment opportunities and promote self-reliance
Develop local capacity in aviation-related fields
Foster private sector involvement in youth development
TRAINING TRACKS OFFERED
Participants can specialize in:
Fixed-Wing Aircraft Piloting (Aeroplane)
Rotor-Wing Aircraft Piloting (Helicopter)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (both fixed and rotor wing)
SELECTION PROCESS
Eligibility: Youths aged 25–35 from Bayelsa State
Application: Free of charge via an online portal
Screening: A Computer-Based Test (CBT) administered at the Federal University Otuoke ICT Centre
Pass Mark: Minimum of 80% to qualify for the program
No of Questions: 200 Questions in 2 hrs(36 seconds per question)
TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS
Application Deadline: August 31, 2023
CBT Date: February 20,Rescheduled to March 5, 2024
Successful Candidates: Two candidates:—Yebei Ebilate Amabebe and Ezekiel Kariyai:—scored 88% and 81.5% respectively
TRAINING DESTINATION
Location: United States of America
Visa Support: M1 visas facilitated through partnership with the U.S. Embassy
Training Quality: Access to cutting-edge aviation facilities and FAA-standard instruction
PARTNERS & SUPPORT
Azikel Group: Sponsor and organizer
Federal University Otuoke: CBT host
U.S. Embassy: Visa facilitation
Bayelsa State House of Assembly: Political support and advocacy
Federal Aviation Administration USA ( Responsible for the 200 questions examination)
United Airlines ( Job Provision Partners)
Emirates Airlines ( Job Provision Partners)
REMARKS FROM STAKEHOLDERS
Dr. Azibapu-Eruani: Emphasized merit, discipline, and excellence
Prof. Teddy Adias (FUO VC): Urged candidates to prepare well and seize the opportunity
Hon. Tare Porri: Commended the initiative and pledged legislative support. Told Bayelsa youths how hardwork meets reward.
Mr. Jidayi Ijuptil Ardo (Coordinator): Encouraged youths and hinted at future programs
HOW IT ALL STARTED
On August 1st, 2023, the world watched as Dr. Eruani Azibapu CFR, the illustrious President and owner of the Azikel Group, unveiled a dream; one that spoke to the hearts of the youth of Bayelsa. This global businessman, revered industry leader, and philanthropist, introduced the Azikel Aviation Sponsorship Training program, affectionately known as "The Azikel Aviation Training Scheme."
Dr. Eruani Azibapu CFR's audacious vision was a beacon of hope,a revolutionary initiative to nurture the dreams of Bayelsa’s youth. The program promised high-quality aviation training in the United States for those aged 25 to 35, aiming to uplift lives, forge new career paths, and infuse the aviation sector with fresh talent. It was a call to all Bayelsa indigenes to rise and soar.
Amidst a wave of excitement and anticipation, a staggering 767 aspiring aviators, brimming with hope and belief in the Group President's vision, applied. The company’s rigorous selection process distilled this number to 155 exceptional candidates, ready to prove their mettle. Among them were Yebei Ebilate Amabebe and Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru.
EXAMS AT THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE ICT CENTRE
March 5th, 2024, was the day that would define our destinies. The initial exams had been postponed from Feb 20th 2024 which was the day DR Eruani CFR came and made all the promises to us. Anxiety and anticipation filled the air as we gathered for the examination. This exam according to DR Azibapu Eruani CFR was administered directly from the United States Of America by the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in collaboration with the United States Embassy. A question that weighed heavily on all our minds, was finally voiced by a brave soul: "Will there be another process after this exam?" The Group President’s response was a resounding assurance: He assured the 108 Bayelsans who believed in his vision that there would be no further tests. "Those of you who will make success today will embark on a journey to the United States to earn their private pilot license, commercial pilot license, and airline transport pilot license." After your training, you will have the opportunity to choose where to work amongst our partners, Emirates, United or even Azikel, if you so desire. The crowd erupted in jubilant cheers, Kariyai and Yebei included. “In hindsight, our celebration was premature.”. Notable figures that cheered on the youths, were the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Otueke, Prof. Teddy Adias,Member representing Ekeremor constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Tarre Porri, the Executive Director Azikel Group LLC, Mr Presley Asemota and Deacon Robert Igali, Special Assistant to the group president on New Media and Director General Center for youths development in the Gov. Douye Diri led administration.
The March 5th exam was a daunting challenge. Candidates were required to answer 200 questions within a 2-hour time frame, equating to a mere 36 seconds per question. These questions encompass a wide range of topics essential for a private pilot, including map reading, weight and balance calculations, time zone conversions, and comprehensive airspace knowledge. The questions were basically everything a private pilot should know, and 3.333 times more than a private pilot will write in a single 2hr exam(The Faa written test exam for private pilots). This exhaustive set of questions significantly surpasses the certified FAA exams, which consist of only 60 questions to be answered in 2 hours for students who have even completed a ground school program.
We, devoid of any formal ground school training and armed solely with "The Pilots Handbook Of Aeronautical Knowledge" and "Helicopter Flying Handbook," faced an almost insurmountable task. It was an exam that demanded every ounce of our resolve. It was an exam that tested the limits of our endurance.
Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru and Yebei Ebilate Amabebe, defied the odds set against them and achieved the cut off mark of 81.5% and 88% respectively, as against the FAA’S set standard of 70% for proffessionals in the industry.One question that we kept wondering, was the US Embassy really involved? Did the FAA set 200 questions for 2hrs for novices in the industry,while their standard for professionals is 60 questions in 2hrs?Even the coordinator the program was shocked that we were able to beat the cut off mark, he asked, are you a pilot? Is your relative a pilot? All questions to which reflected nothing but the fact that the exam was designed to be nearly impossible.For the sake of clarity, none of us have relatives in the aviation industry, none of us are pilots. Our achievement that day, was nothing but hardwork in its purest form, sleepless nights, resilience and the grace of God. If the company had kept it’s promise, we should have both earned our private pilot license and looking forward to commercial and airline transport pilot license by now.
DEACON ROBERT IGALIS’S ANNOUNCEMENT
On March 6th, 2024, in the aftermath of the gruelling exam, Deacon Robert Igali, Special Assistant to the Group President DR Azibapu Eruani CFR on New Media, and Director General Center For Youth Development,Bayelsa State,in the Senator Douye Diri’s led administration, and a pivotal organizer of the exams, addressed the airwaves on Rythm 94.7Fm: "All their visas are already in process. In the next 10 days, they should be leaving this country for the US’’. He announced to Bayelsans. As a result of this announcement, 99% of Bayelsans think we are already out of Nigeria for our training. Only a mere 1% of family and friends know the concept of “overpromise” and “under deliver” we are facing in the hands of DR Azibapu Eruani CFR and the Azikel Group. The 10 days timeline was a realistic timeline and we made earnest preparations, afterall, the scheme was said to be in collaboration with the United States Embassy which was responsible for issuing our visas and the Federal Aviation Administration which is the number one Aviation body in the United States and number two in the world after ICAO.
MEETING WITH DR AZIBAPU ERUANI
We clung to the group president's doubtlessness from the exam hall and Deacon Igali's assurances on live radio. With hearts brimming with anticipation, we started making preparations for our imminent departure. A few days later, we had the opportunity to meet with the Group President. But that day, the news we received felt like a crushing blow.We would undergo a six-month probationary period at the Azikel Hangar. This pronouncement contradicted the assurances he made at the Federal University Otueke, yet we had no choice but to comply.
THE PERIOD OF PROBATION
At the hangar during the probation, we cleaned the hangar, carried baggages at the airport, and diligently worked with Engineer Santino whenever he was to carry out maintenance on the company’s helicopter. We worked with unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and faith. The probationary period began on April 1st and ended on September 31st, 2024,but as the months passed, the company remained silent. On November 8th, 2024, we sent the first letter to the HR, notifying them of our probation’s completion. Our letter received no response. Undeterred, we sent three more letters to the HR office and the Group President himself and eventually secured a meeting with Mr. Presley Asemota, the Executive Director, on December 23th, 2024, which was three months after our probationary period ended.His words, though delivered with an air of authority, felt like echoes from a distant realm. "The words you are hearing are from me, but they are the words of the big man," he said, by big man, he was referring to DR Azibapu Eruani CFR. And those words were that we would start our training on or before the end of the first quarter of 2025.(Jan 1st 2025-March 31st 2025)
He also mentioned that the company was expecting a loan facility, and that was one of the reasons our training was being delayed. Myself and Yebei, as though thinking exactly the same thing, had our eyes meet. This revelation made our hearts sink. At the Federal University Otuoke ICT center, the Group President had boldly declared, "I have set aside funds to train 155 Bayelsa youths that will pass this exam. It is my dream to see many of you succeed today." Hearing those words had filled us with hope and determination. But now, we were talking about loans?
When only two candidates out of the 108 that sat the exams passed, the disappointment was palpable. It became clear that although he might have genuinely wished for many to pass, only two(2) had managed to meet the challenge. Looking on the bright side, it might have eased his financial burden, but for us, it felt like a bittersweet victory. DR Azibapu Eruani CFR had set aside funds to train 155 candidates and just 2 passed. Training these two should be a walk in the park. The weight of unfulfilled dreams and the stark reality of our situation hung heavy in the air.
This extension was a heart wrenching pill to swallow.We couldn't fathom that a scheme we applied to, on August 1st , 2023, would bear no fruit almost two years later. In 2025, we were still standing in the same office where we had submitted our documents for screening and we were repeatedly given vague and shifting explanations, by the Chief Of Staff of the company, hoping to tame our dreams of travelling for the training and keeping us in the hangar indefinetly,“
We were kept in limbo, repeatedly delayed by vague promises that prevented us from moving forward with our lives and careers.” Yet, we accepted this postponement with a flicker of hope and with as much faith as we could muster.
THE HAPPENINGS OF MARCH
Contradiction Between Public Merit Claims and Private Discretion
In March 2025, after months of silence, we wrote two separate letters to Dr. Azibapu Eruani requesting clarity on the status of our training. It was only after these appeals that we were asked to submit our documents for visa and admission processing as against the promise made by Deacon Robert Igali that all our visas were in process.
However, we were surprised to learn that two additional individual,who did not sit for the CBT exams were also asked to submit their documents for the same training program by the same company, that said it needed a loan facility to train just the two successful candidates. This decision was made unilaterally by Dr. Eruani.
While we do not object to their inclusion recognizing that the program is ultimately at the discretion of its sponsor, this action stands in direct contradiction to the program’s publicly declared merit-based criteria. Dr. Eruani had previously stated, both publicly and emphatically, that:
Only candidates who scored 80% and above in the CBT would be eligible
There would be no politics, no recommendations, and no favoritism
This inconsistency between public declarations and private decisions undermines the credibility of the program and raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the selection process. It also reinforces the perception that the program was more about public image than principled execution.
When eventually the admission forms came for admission processing. We were asked to tick PPL only. This was another shocking turn of events, We were told we would be trained to ATPL level. The OSM Aviation Academy we were being sent to have two set of courses. The first is designed to train you from PPL all the way to ATPL and the second breaks down the training for those who have either gotten one license or the other. We were promised ATPL level. If OSM had the full package, why were we being asked to submit documents for Private Pilot License only. To be sure, we asked, you mean we should only tick Private Pilot License? The answer from the Executive director was yes. It should be worthy of note at this point, that a PPL license is practically useless to us,seeing that we are not burgeoius that own our private planes. Hence, if we are not trained to at least commercial and type rating level, we have no prospects of securing a job with a Private Pilot License. What had been promised was all the way to ATPL, why then are we talking about only PPL now?
After writing to the group president seeking updates, we received the attached letter dated 11th June 2025 from the Group President and responded as appropriate with our letter dated 17th June 2025(Kindly Find Attached).
The commencement of our training has been extended repeatedly,first, from an immediate start, to six months, then to nine months, to on or before March 31st 2025 and finally to indefinetely. Now, we find ourselves in an era of no communication.
We have invested significant time and effort based on the promises made to us. We have forgone our pennies saved, for this penny we were assured by DR Azibapu Eruani CFR.
Come to think of it,When we applied in August 2023, Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru was 30 years old he is now 32, still without direction. Yebei Ebilate applied at 32 today, he is 34. For a program that had an age limit of 35, by next year, Yebei will be 35,automatically phasing himself out of the program. Still clinging to nothing but mere words.
The Azikel Aviation Training Program was not just a private initiative,it was a nationally celebrated philanthropic gesture spearheaded by Dr. Azibapu Eruani, CFR, a recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, Nigeria’s third-highest national honour.
This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to national development, public service, and leadership. As such, the program carried with it not only the promise of opportunity but the moral authority and public trust associated with the CFR title.
It was under this banner of excellence and national pride that we, and the public, believed in the program’s integrity, structure, and intent.
OUR LIVES BEFORE THE SCHEME
Aside our personal businesses,Yebei was pursuing a masters degree program in Petroleum Engineering at the NNPC/SPDC Centre of Excellence in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin (NNPC/SPDC sponsored programme) to add to his portfolio in hopes of pursing a professional career in the Petroleum Industry. Ezekiel Kariyai on the other hand was pursuing a Bsc in Petroleum Engineering at Igbinedion University Okada, which would add to his Geology degree with dreams of pursuing a professional career in the industry. The Azikel Aviation Training Program was seen as a better opportunity, hence, we abandoned our birds in hand to chase the Azikel Aviation Training bird in the bush. A mistake which has resulted in nothing but total stagnation of our professional and personal lives. A mistake we made only because we trusted and had faith in DR Azibapu Eruani CFR,an elderstates man and a well respected figure in Bayelsa State and Nigeria.
We remain without direction or resolution
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL FALLOUT: THE HUMAN COST OF BROKEN PROMISES
Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR did not merely fail to fulfill a promise,he turned us into objects of public ridicule. By announcing our names on radio and social media as the only two successful candidates of the Azikel Aviation Sponsorship Program, and publicly declaring that we would be leaving for the United States within 10 days, he created a narrative that has since become a source of mockery and emotional distress.
People who see us in public now ask, “What are you still doing in Nigeria?” Even Deacon Igali, his Special Adviser. Some go further, mocking us to our faces.
These taunts are especially painful because we abandoned promising academic and professional paths to pursue this opportunity in good faith.
Even within the Azikel base where we worked during our probation, we endured mockery from staffers who viewed us as naΓ―ve or deluded.
The consequences of our trust in Dr. Eruani’s word have been devastating:
YEBEI’S DISPLACEMENT:
About a month before the end of our probation, Yebei’s house rent expired. Believing in Dr. Eruani’s promise, he gave away his belongings to family and friends and moved in with his older brother, telling him he would be traveling the next month. Today, he remains a refugee in his brother’s home.
KARIYAI’S FAMILY DISRUPTION:
Kariyai relocated his wife and children from their base in another state to Yenagoa to spend six months with him before his expected departure. The children were withdrawn from school. After all, DR Eruani had promised to train us to ATPL,hence, he did not know when he would see his children again.He sold his business equipment and personal belongings, believing he would no longer need them. Today, his children remain out of school, and the family’s stability has been shattered.
FALSE PREPARATION:
The modest salary we received was used not for savings or investment, but for transportation, feeding, and gradually purchasing items we believed we would need in the United States. Our suitcases were being filled,not with dreams, but with misplaced hope.
IRREVERSIBLE LOSSES:
The properties and equipment we sold cannot be reacquired due to the country’s inflation. Years of effort and investment have been wiped out. We now appear to the world as men who failed to plan their lives,when in truth, we planned with faith in a promise that was never real.
One moment stands tall with painful clarity:
In September 2024, just before our probation ended, Dr. Eruani saw us at the airport. In front of well-wishers, he told Ebilate, “Tell your second to get your passports ready,you guys are traveling soon.” Looking back, this declaration was made when there was no plan in place. The OSM Aviation Academy hadn’t even been identified yet. It was an Oscar worthy thearitical performance, not a promise.
We are left to ask:
Did our parents offend Dr. Eruani for him to treat us this way?
What did we do to deserve this level of deception, humiliation, and emotional devastation?
OUR FINDINGS AT THE HANGAR
When the company began its prolonged silence and refused to respond to our formal letters, we took it upon ourselves to investigate the true nature of the Azikel Aviation Training Program. Isolated at the hangar and cut off from the rest of the company, we began by speaking with the only two other individuals working alongside us: Mr. Mike Ikuru and Mr. Taiwo Enoch.
TESTIMONIES FROM HANGAR STAFF
MIKE IKURU
A long-time employee of the company, Mike initially appeared uninvolved in the training program.
Upon inquiry, he disclosed that he had applied to the program and studied the same materials as the rest of the applicants.
However, after uncovering irregularities in the process, he chose to withdraw and did not participate in the exams.
His decision, in hindsight, has proven to be both principled and justified.
TAIWO ENOCH
A pastor and former driver to the white aviation crew, Taiwo took a proactive step by approaching the then-HR officer, Mr. Ijuptil Jidayi, about the training program.
According to Taiwo, Mr. Jidayi dismissed the initiative as mere “propaganda to boost Dr. Eruani’s public image.”
This same sentiment was echoed by Mr. Jidayi when contacted by others later on.
ALLEGATIONS OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT
Taiwo further revealed that a separate group of individuals were being privately coached by Mr. Jidayi;-who is himself an Airline Transport Pilot.
These sessions allegedly took place in a private apartment near the CBN building in Yenagoa, well before the official exams.
Upon learning of this covert coaching, Mike Ikuru made the decision to step away from the process entirely.
CURRENT SITUATION
The individuals who received this preferential treatment are reportedly undergoing training in the United States.
Meanwhile, Yebei and Kariyai who followed the official process,remain in the hangar, facing:
Prolonged silence from leadership
Subtle threats of public relations retaliation
A string of unfulfilled promises
Subtle threats of no legal recourse
This paints a picture of systemic favoritism and a lack of transparency.
STATEMENTS FROM CURRENT EXECUTIVES
When we approached Mr. Presley Asemota, the Executive Director and Vice President of Azikel Group, he told us plainly:
“I know what no one else knows about this program, and that is why I do not want to be associated with it.”
“What specific knowledge did the Executive Director have that made him distance himself from the program?”
The current HR officer, Ms. Ugonnma, told us directly that:
“If Dr. Eruani does not want to train you, there is nothing you can do. You can’t even take him to court.”
Do these statements align with Ikuru's findings? (Do these statement reflect the non feasibility of the program as Ikuru and Taiwo had found out?)
These statements reflect a culture of impunity and a deliberate effort to suppress accountability.
CORE ISSUES
The Azikel Aviation Training Program, as administered by Azikel Group under the leadership of Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR, presents a series of deeply troubling issues that go beyond decision failure. These issues point to a pattern of deception, manipulation, and institutional neglect that has caused immeasurable harm to the undersigned petitioners and potentially undermines public trust in private-sector-led empowerment initiatives in Bayelsa State.
1. BREACH OF PUBLIC COMMITMENT AND LEGITIMATE EXPECTATION
The program was publicly announced as a fully funded, merit-based aviation training scheme in partnership with international aviation bodies. We were told that:
Training would begin immediately after the CBT
All costs would be covered
We would be trained from Private Pilot License (PPL) all the way through to Airline Transport Pilot License and Type Rating
The program was backed by the FAA, the U.S. Embassy, and major airlines
These promises created a legitimate expectation of follow-through. Instead, we were subjected to a six-month probation, followed by 15 months of silence, shifting narratives, and no formal training. This constitutes a clear breach of trust and public commitment.
2. DECEPTION AND MISREPRESENTATION OF INTENT
Despite public assurances that only candidates scoring 80% and above would be eligible, individuals who did not sit for the CBT were later included in the program. This contradiction between public declarations and private decisions undermines the program’s credibility and raises serious concerns about transparency and fairness.
Even more troubling is what we later discovered: The CBT was probably deliberately designed to be nearly impossible, with the intent that no one might pass. The exam consisted of 200 questions with only 36 seconds per question. The examination falls short of required standards. This revelation is not just a breach of merit,it is a betrayal of public trust and a deliberate act of psychological harm against young people who believed in the promise of opportunity. After all, as we have earlier stated, the United States standards for professionals in the industry is 60 questions for 2hrs as against 200 in 2hrs.
We were never issued award letters or training contracts, only employment letters. When as a matter of fact, we did not apply for any job role but a scholarship program.
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL HARM
We abandoned academic programs—one of us a Master’s degree at the University of Benin, the other a Petroleum Engineering degree at Igbinedion University—based on the promise of immediate training. These sacrifices are irreversible. We also lost over a year of professional development, trapped in a program that offered no certification, no timeline, and no future.
4. PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND GASLIGHTING
Throughout our engagement:
Our formal letters were ignored or dismissed
We were accused of “impatience” and “unacceptable character traits”
We were told by HR that we had no legal recourse if Dr. Eruani chose not to train us
We were subtly threatened with public relations retaliation
Even our resignation letters were met with silence
These actions caused emotional distress, anxiety, and a sense of powerlessness.
5. FINANCIAL AND STRUCTURAL INCONSISTENCIES
The Group President publicly claimed that funds had been set aside to train 155 candidates. Later, we were told that a loan facility was being awaited to train just two. This contradiction raises serious questions:
Was the program ever financially viable?
Were public statements made in bad faith?
Were we used as symbolic beneficiaries to promote a philanthropic image that was never intended to be fulfilled?
6. ABSENCE OF LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS
Despite being selected through a competitive process, we were:
Never issued formal scholarship documentation
Never given a binding training contract
Never provided with a designated liaison or communication structure
This lack of institutional safeguards left us vulnerable to exploitation, misinformation, and abandonment.
7. EROSION OF PUBLIC TRUST IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
The failure of this program, led by a Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), undermines public confidence in private-sector-led empowerment initiatives. When such a high-profile effort collapses under the weight of its own contradictions, it sends a dangerous message to other young people: that merit, sacrifice, and trust may not be rewarded,even when the promises come from the highest levels.
LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONCERNS
The Azikel Aviation Training Program, as publicly presented and privately administered, raises serious legal and ethical concerns that warrant scrutiny by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. These concerns are not merely about unmet expectations,they touch on issues of misrepresentation, negligence, and the abuse of power in philanthropic initiatives.
The ethical weight of this matter is further magnified by the fact that the program was led by a Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR),a title that symbolizes national service, honour, and accountability.
When such a figure makes public commitments to empower youth through aviation training, the expectations are not merely aspirational,they are binding in the eyes of the public. The failure to uphold those commitments reflects not only on the program but on the integrity of national honours themselves.
1. BREACH OF LEGITIMATE EXPECTATION
Why was no formal contract signed?
The Azikel Group made repeated public and private assurances that:
Training would begin immediately after the CBT
All costs would be covered
Candidates would be trained from Private Pilot License (PPL) through to ATPL and Type Rating
The program was fully funded and supported by international aviation bodies
These assurances created a clear and reasonable expectation of follow-through. The abrupt imposition of a six-month probation, followed by 15 months of silence and shifting narratives, constitutes a breach of that legitimate expectation. In legal terms, this may amount to misrepresentation or promissory estoppel.
2. NEGLIGENCE AND DUTY OF CARE
By selecting and publicly announcing us as beneficiaries, the Azikel Group assumed a duty of care,both morally and operationally. This includes:
Providing timely updates
Ensuring transparency in visa and admission processes
Protecting our academic and professional interests
The failure to communicate, the absence of a designated liaison, and the refusal to acknowledge repeated formal letters represent a gross dereliction of that duty. The resulting emotional distress, academic loss, and reputational harm are not incidental,they are the direct result of prolonged institutional neglect.
EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM
The prolonged uncertainty, public silence, and private gaslighting have caused significant emotional strain. We were:
Told our inquiries were signs of “impatience”
Dismissed as ungrateful despite our sacrifices
Subtly threatened with reputational retaliation
Informed that we had no legal recourse if the Group President chose not to train us
These actions are not only unethical—they are dehumanizing. They reflect a power imbalance in which young, hopeful beneficiaries are treated as disposable, voiceless, and legally powerless.
4. MISREPRESENTATION OF FUNDING AND INTENT
The Group President publicly stated that funds had been set aside to train 155 candidates. Later, we were told that a loan facility was being awaited to train just two. This contradiction raises serious questions:
Was the program ever fully funded?
Were public statements made to gain political or reputational capital?
Were we used as symbolic figures to promote a philanthropic image that was never intended to be fulfilled?
We count on the Bayelsa State House Of Assembly to investigate.
5. ABUSE OF PHILANTHROPIC POWER
"Philanthropy should empower, not exploit. It should uplift, not silence. When a philanthropic initiative becomes a tool for control, manipulation, or image management at the expense of real lives,it forfeits its moral legitimacy."-Kariyai Daukoru .
We were not asking for charity,we were selected through merit. We were not demanding entitlements,we were seeking clarity, honesty, and respect. The ethical failure here lies in the gap between what was promised and what was practiced.
OUR REQUESTS
We respectfully urge the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to:
Investigate the administration and execution of the 2023 the Azikel Aviation Training Program, including the discrepancies between public promises and private actions.
Summon representatives of the Azikel Group to provide a full account of:
The current status of the program
The reasons we have not been sent for the training.
Ensure that we, the successful candidates, are trained to the full standard as publicly promised by Dr. Azibapu Eruani, including:
Private Pilot License (PPL)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
Type Rating Certification
These were the levels of training explicitly stated as part of the program’s vision and must be honored in full.
mandate the establishment of a clear and direct communication channel between the Azikel Group and the selected candidates. This should include:
A designated liaison officer or department
Regular updates on progress
Transparent documentation of all steps taken
Demand a clear and realistic timeline for:
The issuance of admission letters and I-20 forms
Visa application and processing
Travel to the United States
Commencement and completion of each phase of training
Establish guidelines and oversight mechanisms for all future private-sector-led empowerment programs in Bayelsa State to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of beneficiaries.
Issue a formal statement of concern or support recognizing the emotional, academic, and professional toll this experience has taken on us, and affirming the Assembly’s commitment to protecting the dignity and future of Bayelsa’s youth.
NEXT STEPS: A GLOBAL CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Depending on the outcome of this investigation, we will reach out to the Federal Aviation Administration, the United States Embassy, United Airlines, Emirates, and every other respected institution whose names were publicly associated with this program. We will ask them,respectfully but firmly,why would they be involved with schemes that are clearly out to undermine the hard work of young promising youths of this state. A scheme that has walked over the hard work, dignity, and dreams of two exceptionally brilliant Bayelsa youths.
We will ask why it is so easy for the world to judge young people who take the wrong path, yet even easier to trample on those who choose not to. Why is it that when a youth picks up a weapon, society is quick to condemn,but when that same youth picks up a book, passes an impossible exam, and chooses discipline over shortcuts, the world turns its back, when he is betrayed?
If we had carried arms, our judgment would have been swift. But because we chose the path of merit, we are met with silence, delay, and humiliation.
We are not asking for charity. We are not begging for sympathy. We are demanding answers,not just for ourselves, but for every young person who still believes that doing things the right way should count for something.If the world truly wants to see young Africans rise, then it must stop punishing those who dare to rise with integrity.
CONCLUSION
We remain grateful for the original vision of the Azikel Aviation Training Program. However, we cannot remain silent in the face of systemic neglect and reputational harm. We bring this matter before the House not only for ourselves, but for the integrity of youth empowerment initiatives in Bayelsa State.“We trust that the Bayelsa State House of Assembly will rise to this moment,not only to address our case, but to reaffirm the values of justice, accountability, and youth empowerment in our state.”
We are available to appear before any committee or panel to provide further documentation and testimony.
We respectfully urge the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to take decisive action. As a society that condemns youth restiveness and the bearing of arms;-and instead champions education, discipline, and diligence;-it is imperative that those who choose the path of merit and integrity are not punished with silence, but rewarded with opportunity. To act justly in this matter is not only to right a wrong, but to send a powerful message to every Bayelsan child: that excellence, when pursued with sincerity, will be recognized and upheld.
We dedicate our success in that exam to all Bayelsa youths who participated.
Respectfully submitted,
Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru
Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Signed:
Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru
Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Date: 07/07/2025
APPENDIX A
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
Detailed Chronology of Events: Azikel Aviation Training Program
Petitioners: Ezekiel Kariyai Daukoru & Yebei Ebilate Amabebe
Program: Azikel Aviation Training Scheme
Sponsor: Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR, President, Azikel Group
2023
August 2023
• Public announcement of the Azikel Aviation Training Program by Dr. Eruani.
• Program promises fully sponsored aviation training in the United States for Bayelsa youths.
• Application portal opens; over 767 candidates apply.
September 2023
• Application closes.
• Candidates await screening and CBT date.
2024
February 20, 2024
•Eruani’s visit with promises made.
CBT exam at Federal University Otuoke ICT Centre.(Postponed)
March 5, 2024
CBT Exams conducted
• Only two candidates—Ezekiel Kariyai and Yebei Ebilate—pass with scores of 88% and 81.5%, respectively.
• Official announcement of successful candidates.
• Candidates are told they will proceed to the U.S. for training “immediately.”
• Public statements claim no further tests are required and that funds have been set aside to train 155 candidates.
April 1, 2024
• Candidates begin a six-month paid probation at the Azikel Hangar in Yenagoa.
• They are told visas are being processed and they may depart before the probation ends.
July 2024
• Midway through probation, no visa updates or training timelines are provided.
• Candidates continue working at the hangar, performing maintenance, cleaning, and administrative tasks.
September 30, 2024
• Probation ends.
• No formal communication or next steps are provided.
November 8, 2024
• First formal letter sent to Azikel HR: Notification of probation completion and request for directives.
November 20, 2024
• Second letter sent: A plea for clarification addressed to Dr. Eruani, citing silence and uncertainty.
December 2, 2024
• Third letter sent: Reminder of previous letters and emotional toll of prolonged silence.
December 2024
• Informal verbal assurance received: Training will begin “on or before the end of Q1 2025.”
2025
March 1, 2025
• Fourth letter sent: Follow-up on Q1 training commitment.
• Candidates request confirmation of travel and visa timelines.
• Candidates submit required documents for visa and admission processing
April 2025
• Candidates received no updates.
May 8, 2025
• Fifth letter sent: Request for updates on I-20 forms, admission letters, and travel dates.
June 11, 2025
• Sixth letter sent: Urgent follow-up requesting either a training timeline or formal termination.
• Same day: Response received from Ms. Meriem Rochdi (Executive Assistant to the Group President).
Letter criticizes candidates for “impatience” and “unsolicited advice.”
States training is delayed due to U.S. visa policy changes.
Offers option to resign with 30-day notice.
June 13, 2025
• Seventh letter sent: Detailed rebuttal to Ms. Rochdi’s response.
• Candidates defend their actions, clarify sacrifices, and request transparency.
June 23, 2025
• Eighth letter sent: Final request for clarity on admission status and designated liaison.
July 1, 2025
• Formal resignation letter submitted.
• Cites 15 months of broken promises, academic sacrifice, and emotional toll.
• Requests confirmation of resignation and any required exit procedures.
Summary
Total Duration: 1 year and 4 months (March 2024 – July 2025)
Total Formal Letters Sent: 11
Total Formal Responses Received: 1 (June 11, 2025)
Total Verbal Responses Received: 2
Total Sublte Threats Received : 2
Training Commenced: ❌ No
Visa/Admission Issued: ❌ No
Communication Breakdown: ✅ Documented
Resignation Submitted: ✅ July 1, 2025
APPENDIX B: Copies of Correspondence
Printed copies of:
All 8 formal letters sent to Azikel Group
The June 11, 2025 response from Ms. Meriem Rochdi
June 13 rebuttal
June 23 Follow Up Letter
July 1 resignation letter
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