By Patrick Obia
The family of the late first female helicopter pilot in Nigeria, Gladys Ben Erriom, have cried for help, 17 years after her demise in a fatal auto crash.
On a beautiful day of April 24th, 2008, young Gladys Ben Erriom was returning from her elder sister – Gift Smart’s marriage in Bekpor Irruan, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River, when she met untimely death along Abuja road.
Before her demise, Gladys was also the first female plane pilot in South-South region of Nigeria, after she graduated from South African aviation school with distinction, courtesy of then Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald Duke.
As staff of Aero Contractors, her family was compensated with twenty two (22) million Naira. But to keep Gladys’ memory alive, her family decided to build a good hospital and a school to benefit her community, Cross Riverians and Nigerians.
According to her family, the gesture was one of the dreams and aspirations of the late pilot – Gladys, who had her community at heart before she kissed earth goodbye.
The family, however, have said years after building the hospital named “FirstLady Pilot Hospital” and “FirstLady Pilot Academy” Nursery/Primary and Secondary, respectively, the buildings are getting dilapidated.
They called on the local, state, and federal government to come to their aid to salvage the school and hospital.
Gladys’ mother, elder sister and brother who spoke to CrossRiverWatch, said the intervention will not only keep her legacy alive but also will save many lives and build many futures, educationally.
Watch video below:
