Five years after former president Jerry John Rawlings passed on, United Nigeria Airlines, a new airline flying into Ghana, has honoured his memory by naming one of its aircraft after him.
The J.J. Rawlings aircraft flew into Ghana on Monday, November 10, as the United Nigeria Airlines’ inaugural flight from Abuja to Accra.
On board were several dignitaries, including Baba Jamal, Ghana’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Chief Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman and CEO of United Nigeria Airlines; and Senior Nigerian Aviation officials, among others.
Upon arrival, Mr Fritz Baffour, a representative of the Rawlings family, and former Minister of State, joined Chief Professor Obiora to unveil the name of the aircraft, which read, “J.J. Rawlings…The legend lives on.”
At a formal inaugural ceremony held at the Kotoka International Airport’s Terminal Three, Gate C8, Mr Kofi Adams, the Minister for Sports and Recreation, expressed gratitude to United Nigeria Airlines for naming an aircraft after the late President.
He, however, said the late former President would have preferred more to live in the hearts of men than have his name on monuments, streets, and circles.
The Minister said that because the late President Rawlings lived in the hearts of men, he had been recognised even beyond his country.
Mr Adams recalled how the former President’s love for flying contributed significantly to the rural electrification project, which saw power distributed to all parts of Ghana.
“When he flew across Ghana at night and saw lights only in Accra and Kumasi, that inspired him to work hard to ensure that the rest of the country benefited from the electricity grid,” he added.
Mr Baffour, who stood in for the Rawlings’ family, extended the family’s gratitude to the Airlines for the honour done to the late former President Rawlings, stating that the honour would stay forever.
“Since we are very close to Nigeria and we share very common bonds, this is a plus for us to come closer together. When Nigeria and Ghana get together, no one can stand us. If we come together, we will be bigger than the United States,” he added.
Chief Professor Okonkwo, on his part, said the naming of the aircraft after the renowned Air Force pilot was to honour him and also commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passing of the late President Rawlings.
He thanked officials of both countries who had made it to the inaugural event and promised to ensure that United Nigeria brought quality to the aviation industry in West Africa.
