Eight months ago, Tolulope Arotile, the
first female helicopter pilot in the history
of the Nigerian Air Force, was decorated
by Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff.



Arotile had just ended a programme at the
Starlite International Training Academy,
South Africa.

While decorating her alongside Kafayat
Sanni, the first female fighter pilot,
Abubakar had said: “They are not only
female officers but outstanding aviators.

While one of the two pilots is the first
female fighter pilot in the 55 years history
of the NAF, the second one is the first
female combatant helicopter pilot.”

But less than a year after, Arotile was killed
in an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base
in Kaduna state.

According to a statement, the deceased did
not recover from the injuries sustained in
the accident.

She was said to have lived a “short but
impactful life”.

“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,” the statement read.

“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. During her short but
impactful stay in the Service, late Arotile,
who hailed from Iffe in Ijumu Local
Government Area of Kogi State, contributed
significantly to the efforts to rid the North
Central States of armed bandits and other
criminal elements by flying several combat
missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in
Minna, Niger State.



“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal
Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers,
airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the
NAF, commiserates with the family of
late Flying Officer Arotile over this
irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty
God grants her soul eternal rest.”



When she graduated as the best flight
student from her set in 2017, her parents
were among those who attended a
ceremony held in her honour.

After that programme, the mother had
taken to social media to express her joy.
“On behalf of my entire family. Engr Akin
and Mrs Arotile l will like to sincerely
appreciate every 1 for honouring the
invitation to celebrate with PILOT OFFICER
T.AROTILE. I am indeed grateful and pray
that God will reward you all exceedingly
and abundantly above all you wld think or
ask of Him. Once again, thank u and God
bless,” she had written.


https://www.thecable.ng/air-forces-first-female-combatant-helicopter-pilot-dies-eight-months-after-special-recognition

lalasticlala

May her soul rest in peace

Rest in Peace!

Say whaaat?

Just imagine a life.

Such a young lady with so much life ahead of her plus a promising career.

Her death should be treated as criminal and investigated.

If indeed she died in a car mishap, it is really ironic that an airwoman would have survived a couple of on the air meandering only for her beautiful life to be cut short in a car accident.

Rest on sister, you've etched on your name on the country's history book.

It isn't really how long, but how well, and you nailed it In this regard.

Sleep well.

Arotile,