The Azikel Group has responded to allegations made by a former participant in its aviation training programme, Mr. Kariyai Daukoru, describing his claims as false, misleading and defamatory.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant and Lead Spokesperson to the President of Azikel Group, Austin Ebibade, the company defended its aviation mentorship initiative, insisting that the programme was designed to empower Bayelsa youths and not to exploit them.

The Group maintained that its aviation training scheme, fully sponsored by its President, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, CFR, provides qualified Bayelsa graduates with opportunities to receive aviation training abroad after successfully completing a three-stage selection process, including an in-house mentorship and character assessment.

According to the statement, all participants in the mentorship phase received a monthly stipend of N205,200 while undergoing training and evaluation at the Azikel Aviation Hangar.

The company alleged that Daukoru, who emerged successful after the initial Computer-Based Test conducted in February 2024, failed to obtain the mandatory recommendation from expatriate supervisors due to alleged absenteeism, misconduct, lack of commitment and repeated violations of workplace rules.

It further claimed that despite extending his probation by another six months in a bid to give him another opportunity, he still failed to secure the required recommendation needed for admission and visa processing for overseas training.

“The programme was never intended to waste anyone’s time. It is a structured mentorship and character assessment designed to prepare candidates for international aviation training,” the statement said.

Azikel Group also alleged that while efforts were being made to facilitate Daukoru’s admission into an aviation academy in the United States, it received intelligence suggesting that he intended not to return to Nigeria after the training.

The company claimed that before a planned meeting with Dr. Eruani Azibapu over the allegations, Daukoru voluntarily resigned from the programme on July 1, 2025.

According to the Group, Daukoru received a total of N3.28 million during the 16-month mentorship programme before his resignation.

The statement further alleged that after leaving the programme, Daukoru instituted a N1 billion civil suit against Dr. Azibapu and the Azikel Group before embarking on what it described as a campaign of defamatory publications on social media and online platforms.

The company also accused unnamed individuals of circulating fake campaign posters portraying Dr. Azibapu as a Bayelsa governorship aspirant, insisting that the businessman and philanthropist has no interest in contesting any political office.

While noting that some of the issues are already before a competent court, the Group said it would continue to defend its reputation through legal means rather than engaging in media exchanges.

It described Dr. Azibapu as a philanthropist whose contributions to youth empowerment, industrialisation, education and humanitarian interventions in Bayelsa State have remained significant over the years.

The Group reaffirmed its commitment to training and empowering Bayelsa youths through its aviation and industrial development programmes despite what it described as attempts to undermine its efforts.

It added that the ongoing legal proceedings would provide the appropriate platform for all parties to present their evidence and resolve the dispute.