By Gboyega Adeoye
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 its inception, with records of Nigerians that have made progress possible in the sector.
The book, authored by Wole Shadare and Gboyega Adeoye will debut on Tuesday in Lagos with the unveiling of the Nigeria Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHAF), a reward-based non-governmental organisation, anchored by the duo, with a focus on quality delivery, excellence and patriotic service within the aviation industry.
Oil magnate, Dr Diran Fawibe, Group Chairman/CEO of 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), Dr Gabriel Olowo is the Chief launcher of the book, while His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunleye will be the 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 advice that further enriched the book. They noted that their onerous task is “to fight for industry excellence by restoring and then entrenching a reward system, focused on patriotism, as means to diligence and dedication to work, in the sector.
“We plan an annual event which will build painstakingly on the book. We realised that we might stay on the project forever 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 the government nor the agencies they laboured for. These are unheard echoes in the valley, causing a 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’s 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, Dr Olumuyiwa Aliu and first and only Nigerian Airspace lawyer, Dr 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, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN), Chairman, West Link Airlines, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, book reviewer, Prof 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, Dr Yinka Oyegbile, Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, Wale Aregbesola, CEO, Reliable Travels Ltd, Lagos, among others.
The book launch takes place on Tuesday, May 9 at Providence Hotel, 12A, Oba Akinjobi Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos
