Nwakile: paying the supreme prize

Late Flight Lieutenant Akweke Junior Nwakile who died in a helicopter crash in Bama, Borno state, was laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery  with full military honour on Friday, JIBRIN BABA NDACE reports

Nwakile’s dead in the ill-fated helicopter on 21 July 2014 in Bama Borno state, while on routine exercise is an end to a promising career of a young officer, who certainly must have looked forward to reaching the pinnacle of his career:   flying 6, 000 or more hours in the air, becoming a two-star in the air force and perhaps  commanding Nigerian Air Force.
But Nwakile’s dream was buried in Bama: his dream of marrying his future  partner;  of taking care of his mother and other siblings;  among other desire peculiar with human beings.
The atmosphere at the National Military Cemetery captured the mood: the face of Nwakile’s  mother; his siblings; his childhood friends; his course mates; his commanders among several others who have encountered the young officer in his less than three decades sojourn on earth .
Nwakile died  for others to live. When he crash landed the M135 helicopter he captained after an engine problem,  both  the co-pilot and flight engineer survived.
Speaking at the burial ceremony, the Minister of State for Defence, Chief Musiliu Obanikoro, described his death on the line of duty as a gallant sacrifice for peace to reign in Nigeria adding that the death  should be seen as a call to duty to serve our nation and humanity.
Obanikoro called on members of the armed forces not to let the sacrifice of Nwakile’s life to be in vain.
“We must not let the sacrifice he has paid with his life to be in vain. As we continue to confront the present security challenges in some parts of the country, we should emulate the selflessness, courage and commitment exhibited by Nwakile and his colleagues. We must therefore be proud of the gallant efforts of this young gentleman who proudly demonstrated the Great Spirit and tenacity of a combat pilot.”
Obanikoro said that though the dream of a promising and fulfilling career of this young gentleman officer has been cut short adding that the present security challenges we face demand of us courage, selflessness and commitment.
He noted that the president appreciates the great sacrifice of Nwakile and other members of the Armed Forces who continue to make sacrifices to ensure enduring peace in our nation and other parts of African continent.

He also said that the president was commitment to doing all that is necessary to support the armed forces in carrying out its duties towards ensuring the sanctity of a united Nigeria.
“To the Nwakile family, Mr President and the whole nation share in your grief of having lost a noble son. At times like this, I know words of comfort would be difficult to console or completely heal your wounds. My plea to you however, is to take solace in the Almighty God who is the greatest comforter.”
In a vote of thanks, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, offered condolences to the family of the late officer, describing him a dedicated officer and a fallen hero, adding that  the Air Force would ensure that the family of Nwakile was well taken care of.
Amosu said that the late officer from now had been promoted posthumously to the post of a Squadron Leader and this will enhance the entitlement that will go to the family.
“The  Nigerian Air Force has a tradition , the colleagues don’t leave the deceased family alone and this is not going to be different from what we use do.
In his sermon, Rev Okechukwu Okoye, Chaplain of Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, said that Nwakile lived an exemplary life urging people to live well as no one can choose when he will die.
Okoye said that no one can question God as he does not owe anyone an answer.
He said people  can only condole with the family adding that their comfort was only from God and urged them to be proud that they brought a son to life who laid his life in the course of national service.
“As we continue to confront the present security challenges in some parts of the country, we should emulate the selfless, courage and commitment exhibited by flight lieutenant Nwakile and his colleagues.”
Born in Kano, where he finished both primary and secondary school before going to the Nigeria Defence Academy in Kaduna, Nwakile is survived by his mother and siblings.
Nwakile enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 29, 2003 as Regular Course 55.
Nwakile was commissioned a pilot Officer in the Air Force on September 29, 2007, and was promoted Flight Lieutenant in September 2012.