By Kolawole Ojebisi
The remains of the flying officer Toluope Oluwatoyin Arotile were laid to rest today at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, Thursday.
In a short viral video, the white hearse bearing the body of Nigeria’s first female helicopter combat pilot slowly came to view.
Moments later the coffin bearing the remains of the gallant officer was brought down from the hearse.
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The coffin was draped with dark blue counterpane-like cloth covering some part and the remaining part with the green khaki colour, the colour of the luniform of combat pilot; on the two pieces of cloth was daintily placed the National green-white-green.
The pall bearer, dressed in the NAF’s uniform with their matching black cap and complementary white gloves.
This means the late flying office as promised by NAF, was buried with full military honours, on Thursday, July 23, 2020.
The sombre, funereal atmosphere did not diminish or detract a bit from the grandeur created by the different colourful bunting at the venue of her burial.
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Among the dignitaries that attended the burial were the governor of her state, Kogi, Governor Yahaya Bello, NAF, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, top officers of NAF and others.
The late remains of flying officer Arotile were interred around noon. Her body was conveyed to her final resting place to the solemn tune of ‘Abide With Me’
Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile died on July 14 when according to NAF, “while the vehicle of an excited friend, who wanted to greet her, struck her from the rear, while reversing, knocked her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head against the pavement.”
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NAF preliminary findings revealed that she died from blunt force trauma resulting from being struck by the vehicle.
There has been outpouring of tributes, from people from all walks of life, for the late flying officer since her death became public knowledge.
The latest of the tributes came from former President Goodluck Jonathan which came hours before her internment.
