Veteran aviators inclined more on welfare of others, flagged off N100m endowment fund
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L-R: Engr Francis A. Adegoke, author, 3rd; Mrs Obiagheli Orah, Director Public Affairs & CP, FAAN, rep Aviation Minister, Mr Festus Keyamo, 5th, at the unveiling of WSFF, and public presentation of a book
Evidence of the claim in the above headline came to light at the formal unveiling of a charity organization, Wings Support Family Foundation, WSFF. According to its website, the foundation exclusively offers succour to the needy in the aviation industry.
It is gratifying to know that even before the formal launch of the foundation, WSFF, a none governmental organization, NGO, by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, on 14th November 2024, the NGO has since inception in 2021, began providing comfort to the weak, and the needy ones from the families of aviators and others with link to air transport operatives in Nigeria.
Statistics provided by the leadership of the foundation revealed that a total of N16m had been disbursed for various needs of applicants from its inception to the launch on 14th November 2024.
What more epitomizes selfless service by a group of people who collectively is being owed over N36bn by way of gratuities, and pension, since the erroneous liquidation of Nigeria Airways by the federal government.
Yet, this group of Nigerians continue to think and act in support of the industry and every person who is offering overt or covert service to Nigerian aviation either directly or indirectly for the growth and development of aviation.
The event of 14th November was historic in all intents and purposes. As the WSFF was unveiled, a book that chronicles nearly all that transpired in the air transport industry in Nigeria from inception to date, was also presented to the public.
The book is titled, “Nigeria Aviation and Aerospace Development- All You Need to Know”. Engr Francis Adebo Adegoke, an octogenarian, authors the book. Pa Adegoke flew the Boeing 707, 747, and DC10 aircraft with many Nigerian and foreign captains logging over 11,000 flying hours. He is unarguably among the last flight engineers in Nigeria Airways before technology informed the adjustment that subsists.
According to its blurb, another highlight of the book is that “it is a compendium of all information on aviation and aerospace as it provides the readers all the essential information and education that they may need on all the sectors of the industry.”
The public presentation of the book was such a grandeur as nearly everyone present was fascinated by the book, knowing the author’s wealth of experience.
Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Ministry, generously donated to the cause of the foundation, WSFF. A princely sum was pledged for the noble cause the senior flyers have chosen to pursue, which will in turn impact the industry for good.
Without a doubt, the book launch was generously supported. However, its launch was not out-rightly discernible from the N100 million (One hundred million naira only) endowment fund. About 40 percent of the sum for the endowment was pledged via the book launch.
According to the Chairman of the WSFF Board of Trustees, Capt Jonathan Ibrahim, the foundation plans to distribute the book free of charge to all public secondary schools in Nigeria.
Capt Ibrahim explained further that the rationale for giving the book for free to secondary schools’ pupils “is to catch future Nigerian aviators right from their impressionable and youthful ages”
Chairman Organizing Committee for the successful three-in-one event was Capt Jaiyeola Adeola. The zeal exhibited by committee members was so inspiring that the blind could even see the yeoman’s job of the committee. All of them were moving all around with the energy of a 25-year-old man yet, they were all septuagenarian and above
However, those who may desire to make further contributions to the WSFF noble course can rightly make their contributions/donations payable to the Wings Support Family Foundation, United Bank of Africa, UBA, Account Number: 1026600915.
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