The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has disclosed that engineering work on the first Made-in-Nigeria Helicopter was nearing completion and the metallic bird will soon fly.

The Project Manager of NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, Kaduna, Engr. Kareem Aduagba, who made the disclosure during a Focus Group Engagement in Kaduna State, said the engagement was to promote local manufacturing, innovation, and the adoption of Made-in-Nigeria products.

The engagement, which is organised by NASENI in Kaduna, had in attendance inventors and manufacturers drawn from the academia and private sectors, government officials, industry leaders, and innovators, to discuss policies that will drive Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.

Engr. Aduagba emphasised that, “What we are doing now is not to reinvent the wheel. We had one of our projects being started from the first principle, which we are working on, both the made-in-Nigeria helicopter and some Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

“We have some which we bought over from developed countries, which we had them in Semi Knock Down (SKD) and some Complete Knock Down (CKD). So, we are now making use of science and engineering knowledge to work on the SKD and the CKD.

“Very soon, we are going to do the first test. Everything is nearing completion now and very soon, we will fly the first made-in-Nigeria helicopter,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Head of the Manufacturing Services Department at the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute, Kano, which is under NASENI, Engr. Abdulfatai Ambali, he emphasised the agency’s role in national development, highlighting NASENI’s renewed focus on commercialisation, collaboration, and creation under its current leadership.

According to him, “many Nigerians are not aware of NASENI and its activities. However, with the current leadership under the Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the agency is prioritising awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community impact,” he stated.

He added that NASENI was working to develop homegrown technology to reduce the country’s over-reliance on foreign products, with many innovative solutions already deployed across various sectors.

The facilitator of the programme, Saleh Kwaru, urged Nigerians to be patriotic by supporting local industries, emphasising that national development depends on patronising homegrown products.

“We must look inward and leverage our resources. Constantly relying on foreign products weakens our economy,” he noted.

In his remarks, Acting Zonal Coordinator for the North-West Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Yusuf Suleman, commended the event for addressing challenges hindering locally made products, such as quality and finishing.

He said, “Innovation and modern technology are key to improving the acceptance of Nigerian products. This kind of engagement will help tackle production challenges and create more job opportunities,” he stated.

He added that SMEDAN and NASENI share common objectives, including marketing, technological innovation, and job creation, aligning their efforts for sustainable industrial growth.

The need for policy reforms, innovation, and public awareness to strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and boost local production competitiveness was emphasised at the event.

A passenger plane and a military helicopter collided mid-air near Ronald Reagan National Airport, killing 67 passengers.

According to Al Jazeera, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft involved were a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines flight, and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

President Bola Tinubu  expressed sadness over the  incident, offering condolences to the government and people of United States.

The Bombardier plane, operated by an American Airlines subsidiary, was approaching Reagan National Airport at around 9:00 pm (0200 GMT) after flying from Wichita, Kansas, when the collision happened.

The aircraft involved was a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines flight, and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, the plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three personnel on board.

US officials said on Thursday that there were likely no survivors.

“We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly, told a news conference at Reagan National Airport.

“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors,” Donnelly said, adding that 28 bodies had been recovered — including one from the helicopter.

In a post via his verified X handle on Thursday, Tinubu commiserated with the families of the victims, the people of the United States, and all affected by the sad incident.

He wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident in Washington, D.C.

“On behalf of Nigeria, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people of the United States, and all affected by this profound loss. I commend the courageous efforts of first responders and emergency teams for their selfless work in harsh conditions.

“Nigeria stands in solidarity with the United States Government and its People, united in grief and hopeful for a new day.”