FLYING OFFICER TOLULOPE AROTILE GOES HOME

Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile was buried Thursday at the Military Cemetery in Abuja  with full military honours and the traditional 21-gun salutes.

Late Arotile was reportedly knocked down by a car driven by her old schoolmate, Nehemiah Adejoh, at the NAF base Kaduna, Nigeria.

Aged 24 and enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 2017, Arotile was a member of the 64 Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Below are excerpts from the many tributes delivered at the brief funeral ceremony:

“A woman of exceptional courage and determination to fight evil”

“Young ladies should not only be seen as instrument of sex that should be used and abandoned, but should be encouraged to succeed”

“It is always a devastating time those who hold promises for tomorrow are vanishing”

“Arotile was one of the few courageous young women who elected to fight evil but are no more. Political leaders should take action to ensure that the dreams of this courageous young woman come true. Until these actions are taken, our tears are just hypocrisy”

“Arotile broke many odds to attain the height she did in the service”

“I must confess that even at this moment, the Nigerian Air Force is still in palpable shock and grief on this loss. Our expectations have been cut short. As a Combat Pilot of several years, I can tell you that this young and confident first female combat helicopter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force broke so many odds to get to where she was before her demise,”

Perhaps, you would also like to read the tributes of Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan which he captioned:"TRIBUTE TO LATE FLYING OFFICER, TOLULOPE AROTILE" and made available via his tweeter handle - "My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of late flying officer, Tolulope Arotile. She was a brave patriot who pushed herself beyond limits to demostrate her uncommon love for our dear nation.

"In the process, she made us all proud. In 2011 when my administration introduced females into the Nigeria Defence Academy to train as combatants, for the first time, it was to give equal opportunities to all men and women of the armed forces and encourage highly driven female officers like Tolulope to excel in her chosen career, irrespective of their gender. I feel sad that such a young gallant officer would die at the prime of her life.

"I am however encouraged by the fact that she stood out as a pleasing fulfilment of our dream of an all-embracing Nigeria armed forces devoid of discrimination.

"By dedicating her young life to protect and defend Nigeria's strength, honour and unity, her memomory and legacy will continue to serve as a great inspiration to our youth especially our girls.

"May God grant her soul eternal rest"

GEJ