President Muhammadu Buhari and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, have mourned the sudden death of Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot of the Nigerian Air Force.
President Buhari who condoled with the family praised Arotile’s bravery in the field to protect the country from the onslaught of bandits and terrorists, assuring that her memory will be indelible, and her efforts remembered.
Buhari also commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride.
The President, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina also sympathised with government and people of Kogi State on the loss.
Also mourning the airwoman is Speaker Gbajabiamila who wrote: “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 @NigAirForce event. Indeed we have lost a great talent! My condolences to the Arotile family and N.A.F.”