LATE FLYING OFFICER AROTILE TO BE BURIED IN ABUJA WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS ON 23 JULY 2020 AS MINISTERS OF WOMEN AFFAIRS, INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PAY CONDOLENCE VISIT TO CAS

The remains of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF’s) first female combat helicopter pilot, who died on 14 July 2020, will be laid to rest with full military honours at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on 23 July 2020. Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has received some members of the Federal Executive Council as well as members of the National Assembly who visited him at Headquarters NAF at various times yesterday, 16 July 2020, to condole with him over the unfortunate demise of the young NAF pilot. Among them were; the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, as well as the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The joint delegation from the upper and lower houses of the National Assembly, comprising 20 members, was led by the Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force, Distinguished Senator Bala Ibn-Na'Allah, and the Chairman House Committee on the Air Force, Honourable Shehu Koko.
Speaking during her visit, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who was accompanied on the visit by the Director-General of the National Council for Women Development as well as leaders of some other Women’s Groups, said she received the news of the death of Flying Officer Arotile with great shock, from which she said it would be difficult for her to recover. She however noted that the death of the young pilot would not be in vain as she would forever be remembered for her gallantry and contributions towards ensuring a secured Nigeria. The Minister prayed that God would comfort the entire NAF family and grant the departed officer’s soul eternal rest. While conveying his condolences, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on his part, prayed that God would grant Flying Officer Arotile’s soul peaceful repose and her family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Bala Ibn-Na'Allah, stated that the Committee, and the Senate as a whole, lacked the words to express how painful her death was to them. He said they were however consoled that there was no greater honour than when one dies while in service to one’s Nation. He described the late Arotile as a dedicated and goal-oriented young woman who lived an exemplary life that was worthy of emulation by other young Nigerians. While reiterating that the Nigerian Senate shares in the pain of the Service as well as that of the Arotile family, he urged the NAF to continue to give opportunities for many young Nigerian girls to realize their dreams of serving their Country as pilots in the NAF.

The Chairman House Committee on the Air Force, Honourable Shehu Koko, on his part, while recalling the day Flying Officer Arotile was winged as the first female combat helicopter pilot in the NAF, noted that they at the House of Representatives, being aware of the many exploits the young officer had made in her short but impactful career, were extremely pained by her passing away but had taken solace in the fact that she had left a lasting legacy. He therefore urged the CAS, and through him, the family of the deceased young officer to be consoled by the good deeds she left behind.

In his response during the visits, the CAS expressed his appreciation to the esteemed dignitaries as well as all Nigerians for their overwhelming show of support to the NAF over the passing of Flying Officer Arotile. He noted that the NAF would never forget her, not only because she was the first female combat helicopter pilot in the Service, but also because of her legacy as a very intelligent, highly committed and extremely patriotic officer who excelled in virtually every endeavour. Air Marshal Abubakar recalled how, while on basic helicopter course in South Africa, she was selected, because of her excellent performance, to undergo a more advanced flying course on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy before returning to finish the basic course along with her other colleagues in South Africa. Such, the CAS said, was her commitment to excellence on the job. “This was what gave us confidence to assign her to introduce the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the induction ceremony at the Eagle Square in Abuja on 6 February 2020; which she did excellently”, he added.
Speaking further the CAS noted that Flying Officer Arotile had left her mark in the sands of time which he said proves that when it comes to displaying excellence and adding value to the society, age or gender should not be barriers. He noted that her contributions through combat missions conducted, along with her colleagues, in the fight against armed banditry and other criminal activities in the country would also never be forgotten. He disclosed that the NAF would therefore continue to give equal opportunities to female officers in terms of training, noting that a total of 11 female student pilots were currently undergoing flying training both within and outside Nigeria.

While reiterating the huge loss Flying Officer Arotile’s death was to the NAF, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the Service would continue to be consoled by the legacy she left behind. He further assured that the NAF, in honour of her memory as well as all those who had paid the supreme price before her, would continue to work assiduously to ensure success in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats for the overall peace and prosperity of a united Nigeria.
Meanwhile, a condolence visit to the Arotile Family in Lokoja by a high-powered delegation, composed of the CAS, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs as well as the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Air Force, has been scheduled to hold on a date before the burial.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
17 July 2020

I'm really wept bitterly for this. Very unfortunate. It's only God that can comfort the family. Tolulope rest in the bosom of our lord jesus christ. We love you but God love you most.

So you still have conciense. I pray you find your sanity soon.

johnmartus:
I'm really wept bitterly for this. Very unfortunate. It's only God that can comfort the family. Tolulope rest in the bosom of our lord jesus christ. We love you but God love you most.

Nigerians are not completely satisfied on the explanation the airforce gave as the cause of her death...I hope her family demands justice and calls for a deeper investigation. We seem to always push things aside too easily in this country with the false language of God knows best or It is God's will.

Please be careful this is not the right time to open your dirty teeth widely, Everyone was sober. This is why I respect my igbo brothers. anyone see us here arguing they will taught we hate each other.

Lipscomb:
So you still have conciense. I pray you find your sanity soon.

STF did I say anything wrong here .

johnmartus:
Please be careful this is not the right time to open your dirty teeth widely, Everyone was sober. This is why I respect my igbo brothers. anyone see us here arguing they will taught we hate each other.

Peace be on to you I don't have your time.

Lipscomb:
STF did I say anything wrong here .

her death pains me a lot. Wish i could reverse time and avert the evil. But God Knows the best. Life is actually vanity for everyone; whether rich or poor.

Her death just dey vex me. i dont know why.

out of 1000 people Nigeria just finds a way of killing the dreams of 700 people. this country if you loose guard na you sabi ohh. R.I.P to her I hope her family finds a way to move on.

Me and friend has been discussing this matter. This is a pure murder case that would be covered up. No autopsy on the dead no investigation. Only beer parlor report and they expect morons to belief!
Our Yoruba leaders are useless and care only for 2023 election. I'm really angry

SmartProf:
Nigerians are not completely satisfied on the explanation the airforce gave as the cause of her death...I hope her family demands justice and calls for a deeper investigation. We seem to always push things aside too easily in this country with the false language of God knows best or It is God's will.

This country is not worth dieing for. We should not die in their game. We should choose a better life for ourselves

The official explanation doesn't make any sense.

johnykgoal:
Her death just dey vex me. i dont know why.

no be only you dey vex brother! na kill dem kill that pickin. nigeria politicians are playing politics with the lives of our soldiers

tollyboy5:
Me and friend has been discussing this matter. This is a pure murder case that would be covered up. No autopsy on the dead no investigation. Only beer parlor report and they expect morons to belief!
Our Yoruba leaders are useless and care only for 2023 election. I'm really angry

Very useless especially tinubu

tollyboy5:

no be only you dey vex brother! na kill dem kill that pickin. nigeria politicians are playing politics with the lives of our soldiers

The thing just tire person. What a wicked world.

SmartProf:
Nigerians are not completely satisfied on the explanation the airforce gave as the cause of her death...I hope her family demands justice and calls for a deeper investigation. We seem to always push things aside too easily in this country with the false language of God knows best or It is God's will.

it is well. God dey! I forking hate those submissions which usually come at the end of a complaint imagine Americans said, it is well, after george Floyd died

May her soul rest in peace !

And no words about HER KILLER acident or not

Tolulope Arotile-may your ghost continue to hunt whosoever have a hand in your unfortunate demise.Rest on damsel.Find comfort dear parent.

May her killer(s) never know peace

Before you RiP, make sure you lay curses on your killer(s)

Can she hear me?

We, Afonja's love you!!!!!!

Racoon:
Tolulope Arotile-may your ghost continue to hunt whosoever have a hand in your unfortunate demise.Rest on damsel.Find comfort dear parent.

does this ghost hunting thing real works??

its only in Nollywood & Yoruba movies..

cos if its true, then all the thousands of people that El-chapo of Mexico had killed would have been hunting him since na even in prison..


anyway... MAY HER SOUL R.I.P