“Tolulope, while you fulfilled your childhood dream of becoming a pilot, we could only scratch the surface of our collective dream as a Service for you. We remain comforted by the peace, which only God grants us all at this moment and at all times. Your memory will remain indelibly marked in our hearts each time we remember you.”
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar.
By Eloho Igbru
The body of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile was brought into the grounds of the National Military Cemetery accompanied by the sad and lonely tune of a hymn “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.”
Eight months before, Arotire had been a recipient of a similar honor when she was commissioned as the first female combat helicopter pilot amidst encomiums, music, laughter and hope.
But there was no laughter today, just the sad monotonous sound of the clarinet, the trumpet and the bass. There was no banter, nor sunshine. Just grief.
At the entrance of the cemetery, a poster placed strategically on the gate announced the mournful activity that was to take place, to be witnessed by a very select few amidst a raging pandemic which has claimed over 821 lives in the country.
Bearing her casket were her classmates at the Nigerian Defence Academy, it was not an everyday sight to see Sub-Lieutenants, Flying Officers and Lieutenants bearing a casket. Such occupations were reserved for the old and elderly who had departed the earth in their own eventide not when the sun was about to shine.
But the young officers did their painful duties, with dignity and courage, giving honour to a fallen mate, who left too early.
There was no end to the number of dignitaries that attended her funeral, a testimony to how well her few months in the service to fatherland had impacted the high and mighty. It was also a testament to how high she was held in honour and what a wretched loss her death has proved to be.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Mr. Sabiu Zakari, presided over the Ceremony, which also had in attendance the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, members of the National Assembly, top military officers, Heads of Government Agencies etc.
The CAS did very little to hide his grief on the loss of a “mentee whom the Service had so much confidence”, as a combat helicopter pilot himself; he is painfully aware the difficulties Arotile surmounted to become a pilot and to face insurgents and bandits on the field of battle.
He described the late Arotile as a dedicated and goal-oriented young woman who carried out her assignments both on the ground and in the air with a high level of professionalism and commitment.
Arotire’s reputation spoke at her death. The CAS recounted and approved of her exploits and contributions to the decimation of subversive elements in the North-West axis in several anti-banditry combat missions.
The CAS also restated the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of the NAF to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his efforts at tackling the security challenges facing the Nation.
“Tolulope, while you fulfilled your childhood dream of becoming a pilot, we could only scratch the surface of our collective dream as a Service for you. We remain comforted by the peace, which only God grants us all at this moment and at all times. Your memory will remain indelibly marked in our hearts each time we remember you,” Abubakar said.
Mrs. Damilola Adegboye, elder sister to the late pilot and one of those who last saw her alive expressed gratitude to the NAF for the impact, training and expertise, which, she said, set an excellent platform for Tolulope to outshine her peers.
“Because of their trust and investments, Tolulope showed exemplary skills too difficult to emulate”, she added. She highlighted that Tolulope had always dreamt of becoming a pilot. She said the entire Arotile Family was grateful that the dream, though blurry at that time, was not only fulfilled but also resulted in great impact not only in the NAF but among family members, friends, colleagues and the entire nation.
She said this was because Tolulope was a determined, hardworking, godly and extremely focused person. She again expressed gratitude to the CAS and the entire NAF Family who, she said, would always remain treasured members of the Arotile Family.
A religious ceremony followed where the family of the departed was consecrated to the hands of God. Group Captain (Reverend) Dogo Gani, Director Chaplaincy (Protestant) Headquarters NAF, conducted it before the casket was lowered into the ground.
Other key moments of the solemn event were the presentation of National Colours to the deceased’s Next-of-Kin by the CAS, laying of wreaths by dignitaries and the representative of the Arotile Family as well as the customary 21 Gun Salute and rendition of “the Last Post” by the NAF Band.
