… as dignitaries confirm attendance
All stone turned, the stage is now set for the launch of the book; Nigeria’s Aviation: Unsung Heroes and Heroines, a chronicle of aviation events in the country since inception, with records of Nigerians that have made progress possible in the sector.
The book, authored by Wole Shadare and Gboyega.Adeoye, will debut today, Tuesday May 9, 2023 at Providence Hotel, 12A, Oba Akinjobi Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, with the unveiling of the Nigeria Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHAF), a reward based non-governmental organisation, anchored by the duo.
NAHAF focuses on quality delivery, excellence and patriotic service within the aviation industry.
Oil magnate, Dictor Diran Fawibe, Group Chairman/CEO International Energy Services Limited, is the chairman of the book launch which promises to draw several dignitaries, including the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, and the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who will be Special Guest of Honour.
President of ace aviation pressure group, Aviation Safety Round Table (ASRT), Doctor Gabriel Olowo, is the chief launcher of the book, while His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunleye, will be royal father of the day.
The authors of the book expressed delight at the reception of the book by industry captains, heads of aviation agencies, the media and the general public, which they said boosted their morale and offered a nudge to fulfilment.
They also expressed appreciation to experts in the industry, who were favourably disposed to the projects and offered quality advise that further enriched the book.
They noted that their onerous task is “to fight for industry excellence by restoring and then entrench a reward system, focused on patriotism, as means to diligence and dedication to work, in the sector.
“We plan a annual event which will build painstakingly on the book.
“We realised that we may stay on the project for ever if we must mention all the unsung heroes and heroines in the industry, hence we opt for breaking the book into series.
“There are so many impactful, selfless, dedicated Nigerians dying silently and leaking their wounds in isolation, with no recognition from government nor the agencies they laboured for.
“These are unheard echoes in the valley, causing colossal drop in the morale of the present crop of workers.
“Our resolve is to stand in the gap for these patriotic ones to ensure they don’t remain unsung.
“We will continue to write about them for record and posterity sake, honour them while here and even induct some of them into the Hall of Fame.
“At this maiden Hall of Fame, we are inducting seven outstanding Nigerians: Captains Bob Hayes (first Nigerian pilot), Dele Ore,(astute pilot and lawyer), Chinyere Kalu (first Nigerian female pilot) Jerry Agbeyegbe (late Air safety crusader), erudite aeronautical engineer, Dr Harold Demurin, former ICAO President, Doctor Olumuyiwa Aliu, and first and only Nigerian Airspace lawyer, Doctor Anastesa Gbem, into the hallowed realm.
Other expected dignitaries are: heads of aviation agencies, House of Reps Committee on Aviation Chairman, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, airline executives; Chairman of Resort Group, operator of MMA2, Doctor Wale Babalakin (SAN), Chairman, West Link Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, book reviewer, Professor Anthony Kila, Managing Director, New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr. Ayo Aminu, Managing Director, The Guardian, Mr. Martin Oloja, member of the academia and public affairs analyst, Doctor Yinka Oyegbile, Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, Wale Aregbesola, CEO, Reliable Travels Limited, Lagos, among others.