Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Igbuya, and other government officials, Tuesday, escaped death as what could have turned out to be an air mishap was avoided by Arik Pilot of Flight W 3788 conveying over 100 passengers from Lagos to Asaba.

The flight, which was supposed to take off at 8:30 am was delayed in Lagos on account of bad weather. Though travellers had boarded the flight, after about two hours inside the plane, they were asked to go back to the departure lounge as the plane could not take off on account of what the pilot described as “terribly bad weather at Asaba.”

After about three hours, the flight was boarded again because weather reports showed improvement within the internationally accepted landing standards. By the time it was boarded again, many people who saw the situation as warning from providence cancelled their trips.

On getting to Asaba, the weather became bad again while attempt at landing was difficult. The pilot, who did not want to take chances promptly returned to Lagos. On reaching Lagos, however, the weather there had already gone very  bad by aviation standard.

The plane had to circle around for hours amidst dwindling aviation fuel. It finally landed at 4:45 pm amidst signs of relief from traumatised passengers who clapped in jubilation. The  pilot, Captain Sandy Miller, merely told passengers to thank their God for His  mercies when they got home.

Speaking to aviation correspondents at the Domestic Wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Governor Obi, who travelled to South-Africa on Sunday and came back, yesterday, to Lagos said he was determined to make the flight to Asaba en route Awka because he did not like staying outside Awka more days  than necessary.

On whether he was frightened, the governor laughed and said that nothing again should be frightening to a person that governs a state like Anambra.  Moreover, he said, he was always at peace with his God and fellow human beings and couldn’t worry over the vicissitudes of life.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/gov-obi-others-escape-death/