“Ladies and Gentlemen. This is your Captain speaking. We regret to announce that because of a technical problem, we have to return to Paris for safety and security.” That was the announcement by the Captain of the Abuja-bound Air France flight on Monday, October 23, 2023. The aircraft had departed Charles De Gaulle (CDG) Airport in Paris, France after over two hours in the air en route Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport Abuja, Nigeria. Air France is a reliable airline which flies to over 200 international destinations in more than 90 countries across Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The announcement for the U-Turn was made after the plane had passed European airspace, flied over the Mediterranean Sea, crossed over North African countries of Tunisia and Algeria and just about approaching Niger Republic in the scheduled six-hour flight. As I looked around, I could see and feel the agitation in the minds and body language of the bewildered passengers. We were confused but everyone remained obediently calm and prayerful. An old Nigerian woman who was depressed voiced out loudly: “The pilots should park the plane in any nearby airport to fix the trouble!” I joined an air attendant and other passengers on board to pacify the woman so that she wouldn’t suffer shock or any cardiovascular attack. Meanwhile, deep inside me, I knew that other passengers needed similar pacification going by their disturbing glances. Those that were formerly watching movies and listening to music from the video screen on the seats had now switched their channel to route map that shows the direction of the flight as it made a U-Turn towards Paris. At that moment, I remembered those verses in the scriptures and scenes of horror movies on the D-Day and what might finally unfold. I could not shake off the negative, horrific thoughts from my head. I comforted myself by realising that I had said my early morning prayers to Almighty God. I nevertheless regretted that I couldn’t speak to my mother and other loved ones the previous days. I remember old friends that I had wished to catch up with. Suddenly, I realised that everything about this world including wealth, fame, families, position and power were indeed nothing. I realised that there were top politicians, businessmen and celebrities in the business class and so, if anything happened, my name would not make the headlines. The editors may cast their headlines thus: “Top Politicians, Business Tycoons, Celebrities Perish in Ill-fated Air Plane.” At that moment, I wished I had shared the pictures we took at the Golden World Award hosted by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) in Barcelona, Spain, where my Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publisher of PRNigeria and the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) were honoured with Crisis Management Awards before an eventual trip to Paris. With the award trophy in my traveling bag, it dawned on me that there are crisis that award-winning Crisis Manager cannot manage. I felt my seatbelt as if I was tightened to the stake in a firing squad expecting the executioners to pull the trigger and the worst could happen. I queried myself for deciding to have few days transit in Paris for holidays with my wife just to satisfy the Schengen visa requirement offered to us by the French Embassy. Unfortunately, none of the pictures we took at tourist sites in Paris had been shared to anyone. The pictures including our visits to famous Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Louvre Museum etc were saved on our phones. Like a child, I consciously blamed no one but myself for looking for ‘trouble’ travelling by air every time when I could have taken the risk of road transportation which could have been safer in case of an emergency and by which someone’s body can be easily retrieved for a befitting burial. Trivial conversation by passengers, revving of the plane engine, and sound of movement were so irritating to my eardrum. I wished facemasks, ear-masks, nose-masks and even strong sleeping pills could be provided to relieve us of the excessive tension. The slight jerking by the plane prompted me back to the reality around me. I wished the air hostess could once again demonstrate the safety tips and instructions for emergency purposes which I always ignored or paid no attention to previously. Slight jolt and jerk of the plane ran shivers down my veins as I quickly connected my device to Wi-Fi and googled ‘air turbulence.’ I was comforted to read that air turbulence might be a bit uncomfortable, but it is regarded as normal because planes are built to handle the worst scenarios. I gathered that for a plane to fly stably, airflow passing over and under the wings need to be regular. However, some weather events can cause irregularity in the airflow and this creates air pockets. Even though there are clear air, temperature inversion and mechanical turbulences, passengers’ safety are guaranteed once they fasten their seat belts. Mild and violent turbulence could create panic among passengers, they do not cause a plane to crash because pilots are specially trained while aircraft are engineered to survive all types of turbulence. Though I was not sitting by the door, I was shocked when I read that if a plane door was suddenly thrust open, anyone standing near the exit would be ejected into the sky; the cabin temperature would quickly plummet to frostbite-inducing levels, and the plane itself might even begin to break apart. I deliberate refused to look at the passengers sitting by the doors out sympathy as I prayed for our safe landing. For the first time in that moment, I was envious and jealous of those that hardly travel but rely on technology from the comfort of their homes and offices to attend conferences, receive certificates, bag awards, make friends and tour sites of attractions from internet-enabled devices and programmes. The cabin crew members were busy attending to passengers’ needs with words of reassurance even as the flight was smooth. I watched with keen interest as the airplane tactically manouvered in the cloud and sky till it remained about 30 minutes to landing when the pilot confirmed same. The landing was a huge relief because of my experience in over two hours on the flight. I could hear different names of God in victory songs and prayers renting the air. When we alighted, the Air France personnel provided us with meal tickets and checked us into decent hotels for next available flights mostly through codeshare agreement with other airlines. The following day, we were booked and checked-in with Lufthansa Airline which took us to Munich and Frankfurt on transit before finally landing safely in Abuja Airport.
Yushau Shuaib can be reached on www.YAShuaib.com, yashuaib@yashuaib.com
The Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union (OEDU), a central socio-cultural organisations across the globe, has expressed deep sympathy over the death of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji, Dr. Ado Ibrahim.
The Union commiserated with all sons and daughters of Egbira Nation, at home and in Diaspora, on the demise of the revered Royal Father.
In a statement today, October 30, by the President, Hon. Musa A.Ahmadu, the Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union sympathised with the immediate Royal family members; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the state traditional rulers Council, Egbira Opete and the people of Kogi state.
“The Nation had indeed lost a man of many parts;in business, in philanthropy,in leadership and communal matters as well as peaceful coexistence in his immediate domain and the Nation at large.
“HRM Dr. Ado Ibrahim will be remembered for the many postive legacies from his enthronement as Ohinoyi of Egbira land on 2nd of June 1997.
“Till the very end, HRM was a staunch believer in the Unification of all Egbiras from Miyakan,Etuno and Opete located in FCT, Nasarawa, Edo and Kogi states, giving birth to today’s common name and identity; EGBIRA !
OEDU salutes HRM’s courage and wisdom in bringing peace, unity and development not only to Egbira Nation and Kogi state but the entire nation.
“HRM was a recipient of the national honour;’ Commander of the order of the Niger’ (CON) in 2006 and had in his life time being conferred with many Associations, societies,organisations and universities awards.
“Those awards were no doubt a confirmation of the dynamic leadership qualities of HRM.
Though,the Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union is saddened by the recent development, The Union is however consoled by the fact that HRM lived a worthy, elegant and exemplary life to be emulated by this generation and future generations of Egbiras.
“The Ohiku Egbira Descendants pray that The Almighty Allah grant HRM Aljanah fidrausi. Aameen.”
Yes, yesterday, Sunday, October 29, a 94 year old Iroko tree, in the manner of speaking, fell!!! Yesterday, an institution, also in the manner of speaking, fell. All manners of mannerisms: intelligence, intellectual, philosophy, innovativeness, kindhearteness, wisdom, rascality, peace-advocacy, et cetera fell. In deed, a tree with wide shade for all the Egbira people across the globe, being venerated as son of not just lion but a lion with heavy pregnancy fell; the one being venerated by millions admirers as the ancestor of Bongiri, with its cultural imbued meaning fell; the one who alone bore the only unique name in the whole of the Egbira land fell, bringing to the end, the eventful era; the era in which every event or action drew currency in tandem in equal term to him. It took me this whole 24 hours, from yesterday, to come to terms with the reality that Ado Ibrahim; that name that had assailed our youthful era, had finally ended with the owner committed to mother earth like every living soul.
… his new home, 6 feet hole The name, Ado or Adogu, itself is unique only to the man who subsequently swam through all manner of tides to become the King (Ohinoyi of Ebiraland) and died and buried in a six feet deep ground, in his palatial Azad palace late yesterday. The name, Ado or Adogu was ensconced in the history and culture within which he was born. Adogu, meaning literally “father of wealth” (Ada Ogu) was given to him by his beloved father, the second central King of Ebiraland, late Atta Ibrahim Onoruoiza, in honour of the King of Eganyi (Adogu of Eganyi) who arrived his Palace in Okene from Eganyi in the present day Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi State, in time to help in delivering baby Ado on February 7, 1929, long after his mother, Hauwaawu Ozianuva, had gone into long tortuous labour.
… his palatial Azad palace We were growing up in the early 60’s to know Ado as the only wealthy person in Ebiraland. He made no pretentious about his wealth and greatness, for, he always came home, from God knew where, with the best car, mainly long limousine. We, the young ones, would troup into the palace to have a glimpse of the car and would remain on the corridor of the palace, admiring the car mostly for a whole day. Adogu displayed raw intelligence, a characteristic of an every growing Ebira boys and girls then, by not only rising rapidly in his job at the Amalgamated Tin Mines Nigeria Limited in Jos, Plateau State, but also engaged in studies for a degree course at the London School of Economics, using it to do a master’s degree at the famous Business School of Harvard University in the United Kingdom. He was a man of innovation, with an eye for beauty, because only a few professional architects could design the kind of structure he put up as Azad palace, one of the best in Africa. Being the man that had his eyes firmly on the ball, Ado had bluntly turned his back on politics in 1979 when he had all it took to campaign and win the Governship election of the then Kwara State, to which Ebiraland belong: all his thought was to wait for vantage time to become the King of Ebiraland, which his late father obviously prepared him for. Instead of vying for the Kwara State governorship position, he helped his brother, late Adamu Atta, who eventually clinched the post.
…. his people in grief At every point in his life, Ado had this unique ability to wait, and he never missed the target after the waiting. He was a typical example, to his beloved mother, of person using one tooth to break kernel. So it came in 1997 when he finally obtained his long time ambition, of becoming the King of Ebiraland, not without controversies however. But, being a positively crafty man, who combined humility with wisdom, he soon overcame the tempest storm and turned to be the most widely accepted and loved by his people. Alhaji Dr. Adogu Ibrahim Onoruoiza was really a detriberlised man, who married his first wife in 1959 to a Yoruba woman, Abimbola Solomon, with whom he had equally sound children in all departments of human estimation. Ado was a renown philanthropist, who floated Ado Education Foundation in the 70’s through which he funded educational pursuit of numerous indigent students. Late Ado was never found where there was unseriousness in the matter of men, where seriousness was required. This was demonstrated recently when he turbaned some illustrious sons of Ebiraland. As the occasion was going on in his palace, the Master of the Ceremony (MC), Mr. Emmanuel Ohinoyi wanted to digress by joining those engaging in side comedy, King Ado asked him (the MC) to concentrate. I was there watching.
….all the handsomeness, the power, gone… The manner in which he handled the query issued to him by the State government in regard to the circumstances surrounding the official visit to the Okene, of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, attested to his priceless wisdom and fatherliness. As a matter of fact, there were a lot of positive achievements that can be attributed to his adroit leadership: Ebiraland producing the first Governor in Kogi State, presiding over the launching of the first Holy Qur’an into Ebira language, presiding over the launching of the Standard Ebira English Dictionary, first in 1998, a year after his turbaning as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in 1997 and second, in 2022 and the general peace and love that pameated Ebiraland, etc. In all, late Ado raised disciplined, highly educated, industrious, innovative and kind-hearted immediate children. One of them, Malik, vied for the Presidency of Nigeria in the February 2023 election. It is not for nothing, in holistically looking at his life and his 94 years sojourn here on earth, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described late Paramount Ruler of Ebiraland, Alhaji, Dr. Ado Abdulrahman Ibrahim Onoruoiza as being “in a class of his own.” I sing Robert Louis Stevenson Requiem for my departed King, our departed Ohinoyi Alhaji, Dr. Ado Abdulrahman Ibrahim Onoruoiza: “Here he lies Where he long’d to be Home is the sailor Home from sea And the hunter Home from the hill” Adieu King Ado!!!!
Amid the mourning of the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim, the Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) has called for unity among the Ebira people.
In a statement today, October 30, by Obiyo Ateiza Aliyu, the President-General, the EYC emphasized the need for unity in the Ebira community.
“The sudden departure of King Ado Ibrahim has disrupted our collective goals. We implore our clan institutions and the people to maintain composure, select their words thoughtfully, and collaborate to bridge the gap left behind.”
Aliyu expressed concerns on the current challenges in the land, even as he commended all those who pay their respects to the late king and offer sincere condolences.
Aliyu also emphasized that unity and the well-being of the community are vital for the continued advancement and prosperity of the Ebira people.
The EYC President-General prayed for the soul of the departed Ohinoyi to rest in peace.
President Bola Tinubu has described the late Paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland in Kogi State, His Majesty, Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim, as a king in a class of his own. In a condolence message today, October 29, few hours after the death of the 94 year old monarch in Abuja, President Tinubu said that the death of the Ohinoyi is a painful loss to all Nigerians and Africans. He said that the late monarch was peace-loving, affable and cerebral. “The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was in a class of his own. He was highly respected and admired for his deep insights, wisdom and sophistication. “He had a masterful way of handling issues. He was very knowledgeable and wise.” The President sympathised with Egbira people across the country and in Diaspora, the government and people of Kogi State over the loss of the monarch, who was the Acting Chairman of the Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers. President Tinubu prayed to Allah “to grant His Majesty Aljannah Firdaus.” He asked the good people of Kogi State to take solace in the legacy of peace and fellowship left behind by the late monarch.
In a somber moment for the Ebira people and the entire nation, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim, has breathed his last at the age of 94. The venerable monarch, who had been at the helm of Ebiraland’s traditional leadership, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, October 29, 2023, while under medical care at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, following a brief illness.
Dr. AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim, a well-known figure in both traditional and entrepreneurial circles, had presided as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland since ascending the throne on June 2, 1997, following the demise of his predecessor, late Sanni Omolori. He was the fourth independent traditional ruler, and his reign was marked by significant contributions to the culture and heritage of the Ebira people.
Born on February 7, 1929, Dr. AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim was the son of the second attah (now “Ohinoyi”) of Ebiraland, Ibrahim Onoruoiza, from the Omadivi clan, who reigned from 1917 to 1954. Dr. Ibrahim’s legacy extended beyond his traditional role; he was also a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist. Notably, he oversaw the construction of his remarkable Azad Palace, which stands as a testament to his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of Ebiraland.
Dr. AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim’s educational journey was equally impressive. He began his academic pursuits in both Western nursery and Quranic schools before completing his primary education at the Native Authority (NA) primary school in Okene, Northern Region (now Kogi State) in 1940. His thirst for knowledge led him to Ondo Boys High School and later to Oduduwa College, where he graduated in 1949. He furthered his education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics in 1954, and in 1959, he secured a master’s degree from Harvard Business School.
The passing of Dr. AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim marks the end of an era in Ebiraland’s history. His contributions to the preservation of the Ebira culture, his dedication to education, and his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his people will be remembered for generations to come.
The nation mourns the loss of a distinguished traditional leader and visionary. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course, allowing the Ebira people and well-wishers to pay their respects to this eminent figure in Ebiraland’s history.
Kano State government has concluded arrangement to borrow the sum N4 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for the completion of Tiga and Challawa Hydro-electric power projects. The follows the approval of the request of Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf by the State House of Assembly. Presenting the motion, the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini (NNPP- Dala), said that the loan has a single-digit interest and therefore not harmful to the economy of the state. He said that the project, when completed, would help in revving ailing industries in the state. The Tiga Independent Power Plant project, according to sources, was initiated by the administration of the former Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, to generate 35MW, using Challawa and Tiga dams. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who came into power in 2015, continued with the project. The new governor, Kabir-Yusuf, had sent a letter of request to the house seeking for its approval which was read by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore at plenary. The governor said that the soft loan would be used for the completion of the project aimed at boosting the economy of the state through reviving industries, irrigation farming and powering street lights around the city. Source: NAN.
A retiring Supreme Court Justice, Musa Dattijo Muhammad, has expressed regret that the judiciary has turned into what he called “something else” in Nigeria. He further regretted that the judiciary he joined years ago is not the same that he is now retiring from. Justice Muhammad, who bowed out of the apex court bench, after 47 years in active judicial service, at a valedictory session yesterday, October 27, said: “My lords, distinguished invitees, ladies and gentlemen, it is obvious that the judiciary I am exiting from is far from the one I voluntarily joined and desired to serve and be identified with. The institution has become something else.” He said that the judiciary, as presently structured, gave so much power to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who has the power to make decisions without consulting other justices. “As presently structured, the CJN is Chairman of the NJC, which oversees both the appointment and discipline of judges, he is equally Chair of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) that appoints Senior Advocate of Nigeria. “In my considered opinion, the oversight functions of these bodies should not rest on an individual alone. A person with absolute powers, it is said, corrupts easily and absolutely.” Justice Muhammad alleged that the refusal to fill the vacant slot of South East on the apex court bench is deliberate, blaming it on “absolute powers vested in the office of the CJN.” He said that with his retirement, the North Central zone, which he represented, would no longer have a Justice on the Supreme Court bench. “My lord Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko JSC, who also represented the zone, retired on 23rd of May, 2022. It has been a year and five months now. There has not been any replacement. “With the passing of my lord, Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC on 29th July 2023, the South East no longer has any presence at the Supreme Court. My lord, Hon. Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta JSV died on 7th March 2021. There has not been any appointment in his stead for the South East. “As it stands, only four geo-political regions- the South-West, South-South, North-West and North-East are represented in the Supreme Court. “While the South-South and North-East have two serving justices, the North-West and South-West are fully represented with three each. “Appropriate steps could have been taken since to fill outstanding vacancies in the apex court. Why have these steps not been timeously taken? “It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancies in the court is deliberate. It is all about the absolute powers vested in the office of the CJN and the responsible exercise of same.” Justice Muhammad lamented the poor funding and welfare of judges, saying that the budgetary allocation for the Judiciary increased from 70 billion in 2015 to 165 billion presently, “Justices and officers welfare and the quality of service the judiciary render have continued to decline.” He said that it was as a result of allegations of corruption and perversion of justice that made former President Muhammadu Buhari to order the invasion of homes and arrest of some judges in 2016. “Not done, in 2019 the government accosted, arrested and arraigned the incumbent Chief Justice before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged underhand conduct. “With his retirement apparently negotiated, he was eventually left off the hook. “In 2022, a letter signed by all other justices of the Supreme Court, including the current Chief Justice, the aggrieved protested against the shabby treatment meted to them by the head of court and the Chief Registrar. “In the event, his lordship Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad disengaged ostensibly on grounds of ill-health.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for an immediate cease fire and sustained humanitarian truce between Israeli forces and Hamas in the Gaza conflict. A statement today, October 28, in Bauchi, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar, said: “the Federal Government of Nigeria calls on all parties involved to immediately agree to a ceasefire and engage in diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.” The statement advised both parties to exercise utmost restraint and prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians.
“Indiscriminate attacks that result in civilian casualties must be avoided at all costs.” The statement said that the situation in Gaza is dire and requires immediate attention as a result of the recent uptick in violence. “Women, children, and other vulnerable groups are among Innocent civilians that have suffered greatly as a result of the indiscriminate violence and are currently bearing the consequences. “The parties in the conflict must uphold the fundamental values of human rights and international humanitarian law, which places a premium on ensuring civilians’ safety and well-being even in times of conflict. “The Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on the Israeli Government to grant humanitarian access to the millions of people that have been displaced since the crisis broke. “The lack of water, food, medical supplies and fuel shortages have compounded the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. “The prayer of the Nigerian nation is with those who have lost their lives in the conflict and families that have suffered human and material losses, and also those that are currently recuperating from injuries.” The minister reiterated the call by the government of Nigeria, for a quick de-escalation of hostilities by both sides and a return to the negotiating table to continue the search for peaceful resolutions, “as well as implementation of the two-state solution as a permanent settlement of the intergenerational cycle of violence.” Source: Fact Check
The President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Leader of Nigeria’s delegation to the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Luanda, Angola has broken a 59 year old jinx by being elected into the Executive Committee of the global parliamentary body. The last time Nigeria was elected into the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union was in 1964. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments founded in 1889, and dedicated to promoting peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue. It has grown over its 135 years into a truly global organization with 179 country members out of 193 countries in the world. The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world. The 147th IPU Assembly was held in Luanda, Angola, from 21st to 27th October 2023 and hosted by the National Assembly of Angola. The Union in the week long Assembly deliberated upon important issues affecting nations across the world and considered actions to strengthen trust between people and governance structures, to make public institutions more effective, accountable and representative, and to better equip parliaments to address the multiple interconnected geopolitical, economic and environmental crises facing the world.
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… his new home, 6 feet hole
… his palatial Azad palace
…. his people in grief
The Day I Was Thrown Into Excessive Tension In Flying Plane, By Yushau Shuaib
“Ladies and Gentlemen. This is your Captain speaking. We regret to announce that because of a technical problem, we have to return to Paris for safety and security.”
That was the announcement by the Captain of the Abuja-bound Air France flight on Monday, October 23, 2023. The aircraft had departed Charles De Gaulle (CDG) Airport in Paris, France after over two hours in the air en route Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport Abuja, Nigeria.
Air France is a reliable airline which flies to over 200 international destinations in more than 90 countries across Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
The announcement for the U-Turn was made after the plane had passed European airspace, flied over the Mediterranean Sea, crossed over North African countries of Tunisia and Algeria and just about approaching Niger Republic in the scheduled six-hour flight.
As I looked around, I could see and feel the agitation in the minds and body language of the bewildered passengers. We were confused but everyone remained obediently calm and prayerful.
An old Nigerian woman who was depressed voiced out loudly: “The pilots should park the plane in any nearby airport to fix the trouble!”
I joined an air attendant and other passengers on board to pacify the woman so that she wouldn’t suffer shock or any cardiovascular attack. Meanwhile, deep inside me, I knew that other passengers needed similar pacification going by their disturbing glances.
Those that were formerly watching movies and listening to music from the video screen on the seats had now switched their channel to route map that shows the direction of the flight as it made a U-Turn towards Paris.
At that moment, I remembered those verses in the scriptures and scenes of horror movies on the D-Day and what might finally unfold. I could not shake off the negative, horrific thoughts from my head. I comforted myself by realising that I had said my early morning prayers to Almighty God. I nevertheless regretted that I couldn’t speak to my mother and other loved ones the previous days. I remember old friends that I had wished to catch up with. Suddenly, I realised that everything about this world including wealth, fame, families, position and power were indeed nothing.
I realised that there were top politicians, businessmen and celebrities in the business class and so, if anything happened, my name would not make the headlines. The editors may cast their headlines thus: “Top Politicians, Business Tycoons, Celebrities Perish in Ill-fated Air Plane.”
At that moment, I wished I had shared the pictures we took at the Golden World Award hosted by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) in Barcelona, Spain, where my Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publisher of PRNigeria and the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) were honoured with Crisis Management Awards before an eventual trip to Paris. With the award trophy in my traveling bag, it dawned on me that there are crisis that award-winning Crisis Manager cannot manage. I felt my seatbelt as if I was tightened to the stake in a firing squad expecting the executioners to pull the trigger and the worst could happen.
I queried myself for deciding to have few days transit in Paris for holidays with my wife just to satisfy the Schengen visa requirement offered to us by the French Embassy. Unfortunately, none of the pictures we took at tourist sites in Paris had been shared to anyone. The pictures including our visits to famous Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Louvre Museum etc were saved on our phones.
Like a child, I consciously blamed no one but myself for looking for ‘trouble’ travelling by air every time when I could have taken the risk of road transportation which could have been safer in case of an emergency and by which someone’s body can be easily retrieved for a befitting burial.
Trivial conversation by passengers, revving of the plane engine, and sound of movement were so irritating to my eardrum. I wished facemasks, ear-masks, nose-masks and even strong sleeping pills could be provided to relieve us of the excessive tension.
The slight jerking by the plane prompted me back to the reality around me. I wished the air hostess could once again demonstrate the safety tips and instructions for emergency purposes which I always ignored or paid no attention to previously.
Slight jolt and jerk of the plane ran shivers down my veins as I quickly connected my device to Wi-Fi and googled ‘air turbulence.’ I was comforted to read that air turbulence might be a bit uncomfortable, but it is regarded as normal because planes are built to handle the worst scenarios.
I gathered that for a plane to fly stably, airflow passing over and under the wings need to be regular. However, some weather events can cause irregularity in the airflow and this creates air pockets. Even though there are clear air, temperature inversion and mechanical turbulences, passengers’ safety are guaranteed once they fasten their seat belts.
Mild and violent turbulence could create panic among passengers, they do not cause a plane to crash because pilots are specially trained while aircraft are engineered to survive all types of turbulence.
Though I was not sitting by the door, I was shocked when I read that if a plane door was suddenly thrust open, anyone standing near the exit would be ejected into the sky; the cabin temperature would quickly plummet to frostbite-inducing levels, and the plane itself might even begin to break apart.
I deliberate refused to look at the passengers sitting by the doors out sympathy as I prayed for our safe landing.
For the first time in that moment, I was envious and jealous of those that hardly travel but rely on technology from the comfort of their homes and offices to attend conferences, receive certificates, bag awards, make friends and tour sites of attractions from internet-enabled devices and programmes.
The cabin crew members were busy attending to passengers’ needs with words of reassurance even as the flight was smooth.
I watched with keen interest as the airplane tactically manouvered in the cloud and sky till it remained about 30 minutes to landing when the pilot confirmed same.
The landing was a huge relief because of my experience in over two hours on the flight.
I could hear different names of God in victory songs and prayers renting the air.
When we alighted, the Air France personnel provided us with meal tickets and checked us into decent hotels for next available flights mostly through codeshare agreement with other airlines.
The following day, we were booked and checked-in with Lufthansa Airline which took us to Munich and Frankfurt on transit before finally landing safely in Abuja Airport.
Yushau Shuaib can be reached on
www.YAShuaib.com, yashuaib@yashuaib.com