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President Buhari, Others Mourn Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s First Female Helicopter Pilot

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flying officer tolulope arotile President Buhari

President Buhari, Others Mourn Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s First Female Helicopter Pilot

President Buhari and other prominent Nigerians have shown deep pain over the death of the first Nigerian Air Force female combat pilot, Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, who died on Tuesday, 14 of July.

President Buhari condoled with the family of the deceased, describing Arotile as a promising officer whose short stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security.

The president, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, saluted Arotile’s bravery in the field where she fought to protect the country from the onslaught of bandits and terrorists, assuring that her memory will be indelible, and her efforts remembered.

President Buhari, Others Mourn Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s First Female Helicopter Pilot

Tolulope Arotile Family

President Buhari commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen, and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in maneuvering combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride.

The president sympathized with the government and people of Kogi State on the loss and prayed Almighty God to receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind.

On his part, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, expressed shock and sadness over Arotile’s tragic death.

Lawan said despite her brief service, the deceased flying officer left indelible footprints as a dedicated officer.

He noted that the late Arotile was a role model for young women and the Nigerian youths in general with her focus and dedication to service and calling.

A statement by his media adviser, Ola Awoniyi, noted that Lawan condoled with the family of the late Flying Officer, the chief of the Air Staff, her office colleagues, other airmen, and airwomen.

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The Senate president also commiserated with the government and people of Kogi State over the loss and prayed for her soul to rest in perfect peace.

Also, the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, described the death as heartbreaking.

The first lady, while condoling with the family, said she received the news with a heavy heart.

Mrs. Buhari also condoled with the Nigerian Air Force and the country over what she called an irreparable loss.

According to her, “The deceased was an intelligent young woman, a huge potential, a representative of both Nigerian women and youth, and what they could achieve.”

Similarly, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed shock over the death of Arotile.

“I received with great shock the death of our country’s first female combat pilot, Tolulope Arotile. I saw her months ago display her talent to the admiration of many of us at a Nigerian Air Force event. Indeed we have lost a great talent,” he said.

Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Hon Shehu Koko described Arotile as a heroine whose contribution in the war against terrorism and other criminal elements in the country cannot be wished away easily.

The Federal Executive Council also extended heartfelt condolences to President Buhari, the Chief of Air Staff, the Arotile family, and people of Ife Community in ljumu local government area, Kogi State on the untimely death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

According to a statement by the media officer of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile was a promising and dedicated Officer.

The SGF, Boss Mustapha, on behalf of the council said, “We pray Almighty God to console her family and friends as well as grant her gentle soul eternal repose.”

On his part, Kogi State deputy governor, Edward Onoja described Arotile’s death as a great loss to the nation and Kogi State and prayed that God would console the family and people of the Kogi State for the great loss.

“I am consoled by the truth that life’s impact is not measured by the number of days, but how well and impactful we lived the day allotted. You inspire me Omo Okun. Sun reee,” he said.

The father of the deceased, Engineer Akintude Arotile, in his reaction to the unfortunate incident said, “We have to accept this as an act of God. There is virtually nothing anyone can do, that is God’s time. Of course, for every mortal under the sun, that’s the path we shall all follow.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force announced yesterday that Arotile was hit by a reversing car of an excited former class mate.

The director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who disclosed this in a statement, said the young officer died to head injuries sustained in the accident.

The director explained: “Arotile died on 14 July 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her.

“Before her untimely death, Flying Officer Arotile made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the country, flying several combat missions.

In his condolence message, the chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen, and civilian staff of the NAF, condoled with the family of the late Officer.

He said, “It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died today, 14 July 2020, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.

“Until her death, Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.”

Air Marshal Abubakar, in a tweet, described the young officer as disciplined, confident, intelligent, and courageous.

“I was heartbroken when I received the sad news of the death. I recall meeting her at the Minna Airport, while on an operational visit, after one of such missions, and seeing her eagerness to contribute towards the restoration of lasting peace to the affected areas. Her death is a huge loss to @NigAirForce family & indeed the entire nation.”

Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile was born on 13 December 1995 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna. She hails from the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

She attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 – 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna from 2006 – 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012.

Flying Officer Arotile who was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 16, 2017, holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

The late Flying Officer was winged as the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on 15 October 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa.

She holds a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.

Incidentally, she introduced the newly acquired Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to President Muhammadu Buhari, during the induction ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on 6 February 2020.

Tolulope Arotile joined the Nigerian Air Force out of a passion for the job. Speaking during her winging ceremony she said “I joined the military simply out of a passion for it. Being military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage, and what it stands for are simply exceptional.”

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Labour Force

Kogi Governor Approves Implementation of N30,000 Minimum Wage for workers

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Kogi Governor Approves Implementation of N30,000 Minimum Wage for workers

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has approved the implementation of N30,000 as minimum wage for the workers in the state.

 

The secretary to the state government, Folashade Ayoade disclosed this on Tuesday after an extensive meeting with the organized labour in Lokoja

 

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She blamed the delay in the implementation on the inability for the committee to meet regularly due to the covid-19 pandemic which has been overcome.

 

The SSG equally commended the organised labour for their understanding and patience, which she said has resulted into the signing of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Read Also: FCTA Set to Implement Minimum Wage for FCT Workers

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Finance

CBN to End Forex Sales to Commercial Banks in 2022

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Author: Eunice Johnson, Abuja 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has put Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) on notice that it will stop selling forex to them by the end of 2022. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele made this known in Abuja on Thursday at the end of the Bankers’ Committee Meeting where he also introduced the RT200 Programme.

 

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Emefiele said the time had come for the banks to go out there and source for forex by funding entrepreneurs with ideas. The CBN, Emefiele said, will support the banks by granting rebates and other support until the banks find their feet in sourcing their forex by themselves.

He also disclosed that the apex bank’s policies and measures have led to a significant improvement in diaspora inflow from an average of US$6 million per week in December 2020 to an average of over US$100 million per week by January 2022. He added that the CBN would be reviewing these intervention programmes going forward to ensure that they continue to achieve the desired results.

He said international bodies, including some embassies and donor agencies, have been complicit in illegal forex transactions that have hindered the flow of foreign exchange into the country.

 

Read Also: CBN Encourages Nigerians to Accept E-Naira

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Customs Corner

Customs CG Deploys 37 Comptrollers as Comptroller Attah Heads Kebbi Command

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Customs CG Deploys 37 Comptrollers as Comptroller Attah Heads Kebbi Command

Author: Gift Wada, Abuja

The Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) has approved the deployment of 37 Comptrollers to various Units, Departments and Commands across the country.

This was disclosed in a release signed on Tuesday by the Customs Deputy National, DC Timi Bomodi for the Comptroller General of Customs.

Among those deployed are the present National PRO of Customs Comptroller Joseph Attah who will assume the office of Area Controller of Kebbi Command, Comptroller AAS Oloyede who shall be moving from ICT/MOD to Tin Can Island Port Command, while Comptroller SI Bomoi to FCT Command. Other postings are Comptroller BA Jaiyeoba to Oyo/Osun Command, Comptroller A Dappa-Williams to Eastern Marine Command, Compt. MA Umar Kano/Jigawa, Compt. KC Egwuh ICT/MOD, Compt. LM Mark Enugu/Anambra/Ebonyi, Compt. T Tachio CTC Kano, Compt. AA Umar Western Marine, Compt. M Dansakwa North Eastern Marine, Compt. AC Ayalogu T & T and Compt. KD Ilesanmi will assume duty as Comptroller Board among others.

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Ali in postings released on 7th of February, charged the newly posted Comptrollers to justify the confidence reposed in them by NCS Management by bringing to bear their years of experience and training in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling activities on their new assignment.

 

Given the enormous expectations of government regarding revenue generation in the current year, the Comptroller General reiterated the need for all Area Controllers and Unit heads to take full charge of the affairs of their Commands by ensuring absolute compliance with extant fiscal policies while leveraging on the efficient management of data to optimize trade facilitation and revenue collection.

Furthermore, the CGC directed all officers to be extremely vigilant in protecting the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians by ensuring the full fortification of our borders against the incursion of smugglers and other cross border criminals.

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