24 year old first female Nigerian combat pilot buried in abuja

The remains of first Nigerian female combat pilot, Tolulope Arotile were on Thursday buried with military honour at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Penpushing reports that the  late Flying Officer, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu died of head injuries on July 14, following a road traffic accident at the Nigeria Airforce base Kaduna allegedly cause by her school mate

The 24 year old deceased was attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, and was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment when she died.

Penpushing further reports the Chief of Air Staff(CAS)  Sadique Abubakar, while speaking at the funeral ceremony  said the late Arotile would be greatly missed by the Nigeria Airfoce, lamenting that the force is grieved over the untimely death.

The Chief of Staff pointed out that, the Airforce has lost a heroine whom the service has so much confidence in noting that the expectations of the establishment were cut short as a result of her sudden demise.

Penpushing also reports that, the airforce boss  eulogised Arotile, noting  that her short stay in the service was highly impactful, as she was a committed, confident officer in her service in the North West and North Central missions.

The Chief of Staff pointed out that, the Nigeria Airforce  noted that  Arotile’s demise had affected the establishment  and the nation whose sovereignty she protected, and  thanked the late pilot for adding value to national security, and would forever be remembered.

Penpushing reports that the Director Chaplaincy, Protestant Nigeria Air Force, Dogo Gani earlier in his sermon said the death of  Arotile was a difficult thing to comprehend, lamenting that a young woman of passion, and courage who took up the challenges of fighting evil, “is now gone.”

The priest commended the Chief of Air Staff   for taking up the boldness in putting resources together to realise Arotile’s dreams, and  called on political, religious leaders to raise young men and women like Arotile to defend the country.

Penpushing further reports that, sister to the deceased, Damilola Adegboye who spoke on behalf of the family, noted that she had dreamt to fly a plane as a child, stressing that her sister was passionate about her job and family.

The bereaved family thanked  the entire nation for their prayers, condolences and love shown to the family since the demise of the female pilot.