In a courageous stand against institutional failure, Ezekiel Kariyai and Yebei Ebilate, two young Bayelsans formerly enrolled in the Azikel Aviation Training Program, have submitted a FORMAL 49 Page petition to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Their petition calls for an urgent investigation into what they describe as a gross breach of public trust, mismanagement, and a deliberate disregard for the training program.
After resigning from the program in protest, the duo laid bare a troubling pattern of neglect and lack of transparency within the Azikel conglomerate, an entity that has long positioned itself as a champion of youth empowerment in the state.
⚠️ AZIKEL GROUP’S SHIFTING NARRATIVE
In response to the petition, the Azikel Group released two contradictory public statements, raising serious questions about the credibility of their account.
The first statement, shared by Ebi Amula, claimed that the trainees resigned due to visa delays, a logistical issue the company said was beyond its control. This version of events was calm, diplomatic, and notably free of any accusations against the youths.
However, once the petition became public, the Azikel Group issued a second, radically different statement. This time, they accused Kariyai and Ebilate of failing internal tests, alleging that the duo had plans to elope once abroad. They went further, claiming the youths were selling personal belongings and attempting to blackmail the company.
This sudden shift in tone and content is deeply troubling. The first statement made no mention of failure or misconduct. The second, released only after the petition surfaced, reads like a desperate attempt to discredit the petitioners and change the narrative.
❗ QUESTIONS THAT DEMAND ANSWERS
Why did Azikel Group change its story so drastically?
Was the petition seen as a threat, prompting a retaliatory smear campaign?
What evidence supports these serious allegations?
If the trainees failed a test, why weren't they sacked? Why weren't they told about their failures until they resigned and filed a petition against the company.
Why were the trainees paid N205, 000,if they were allegedly unfit for the program and were doing nothing? Was the payment a bribe or cover up? Which Nigerian company pays people for doing nothing?
Why did Robert Igali suddenly become the coordinator of the program?
Why does DR Eruani'S Wikipedia page shows he has trained 155 youths when as a matter of fact, the only two youths that passed the exam has not received any training.
And most importantly, who is truly accountable for the failure of this publicly-backed initiative?
These are not rhetorical questions. They are the concerns of well-meaning Bayelsans who refuse to let this issue be swept under the rug.
📢 A CALL TO ACTION
Bayelsans are now calling on the Speaker of the House of Assembly and other relevant authorities to take decisive action. This is not just about two individuals—it’s about the integrity of youth empowerment programs in the state. It’s about ensuring that the youths do not fall for these sort of institutional failures and that young people are not exploited under the guise of opportunity.
The Azikel Aviation Training Program was meant to uplift. Instead, it has become a symbol of broken promises and institutional failure. The time for silence is over. The time for accountability is now.
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