Engr.Akin Olateru,six from left in red beads

Number one Aviator in Nigeria and Minister of Aviation,Senator Hadi Sirika,friends,including former Governor James Ibori of Delta State and well wishers from all walks of life thronged Oshogbo,the Osun State capital to join the Director General the Nigerian Safety Investigation Board,Engr.Akin Olateru to bid his mother farewell.

Aviation agencies officials,past and present were not left out of the gathering which took place last Saturday.

Others included Nnolim Nnaji,chairman House Committee on Aviation,Captain Adebayo Araba ,former Rector,Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria and representatives from the Federal Executive Council

In his remarks at the occasion,Olateru described his late mother as a jewel of inestimable value.   “My late  mother sold all she had to ensure  that I  went to school when I gained  admission into the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria in 1986.    My mother who was a nurse, sold her only car at N2,000 to pay my first tuition fee,he said “This action, led to the ridiculing of my mother by her mates, but I give God the glory for all I have achieved since 1986 till date.”   “She sold her only car to pay my first one year fee in Zaria (NCAT). It was just N2,000 in 1986. She became a laughing stock among her mates.” “They mocked her that what will that child come out to be and she always say ‘by the special grace of God that child will come out well.’”   The NSIB boss advised today’s parents to inculcate morals and values into their children, adding that prayers would go a long way for children to face life challenges in the future.   “But, you can only fight and go through with prayers. Without prayers, you can’t go far in life. Parents should teach their children the way of the Lord,”