OduduwaNews has gathered that the Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile who died by a car accident at the Barracks of Nigerian Air Force has been immortalized by naming a Force 115 Group crew room at Port Harcourt after her.
The pilot, 24, died on July 14, 2020, after she was knocked down by an SUV driven by her former classmate at the NAF Base in Kaduna.
The NAF in a statement by its spokesman, Comm. Ibikunle Daramola, said the crew room housed an operations briefing room, computer room/library, pilots’ life-support room and lounge as well as a kitchen, dining room, changing room for pilots on standby and several restrooms.
The statement titled, ‘NAF immortalises first combat pilot, late flying officer Tolulope Arotile,’ said the facility also featured a newly constructed block of 18 two-bedroom flats for senior non-commissioned officers as well as a water project.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that immortalising the late flying officer was done, “not only to honour her memory but also to further inspire young girls in Nigeria to study, work hard and pursue their dreams and legitimate aspirations with pride and honour.”
He said, “Besides, no fewer than 12 other female officers, who have undoubtedly been motivated by her inspirational life and the unprecedented and exemplary contributions by other female and male pilots, are currently undergoing flying training, both within and outside the country, to become NAF pilots.