Connect with us

Lifestyle

Colonel Shittu Alao: Pioneer of the Nigerian Air Force and Hero of the Civil War

Published

on

Colonel Shittu Alao (1937 – 15 October 1969) remains one of the defining figures in Nigeria’s military history. As the second indigenous Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), he helped transform the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) from a fledgling service into a key arm of national defence during the turbulent years of the Nigerian Civil War.

Early Life and Military Training

Born in 1937 in northern Nigeria (many contemporary sources cite Dorowa Babuje in present-day Plateau State), Alao received his early education locally before joining the Nigerian Army at a time when the country was seeking to develop its own air power.

In 1963, he was among the first four Nigerian officers seconded to the newly created NAF to assume command from the German Luftwaffe team that had initially helped establish the service. He trained in West Germany for a one-year indoctrination course in air operations and strategy—an experience that laid the groundwork for his rapid rise through the ranks.

Rise Through the Nigerian Air Force

On returning to Nigeria, Alao was appointed Senior Air Operations Officer at NAF headquarters, where his professionalism and technical skill stood out. His combination of operational expertise and natural leadership quickly marked him as a key architect of the young Air Force.

Chief of the Air Staff During Civil War

On 5 August 1967, in the early months of the Nigerian Civil War, Alao became the second indigenous Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Brigadier George T. Kurubo. He guided the Air Force through one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history.

Known for a hands-on style of command, Alao was reported to personally take part in certain bombing missions—an unusual and courageous practice for someone of his rank. His direct involvement inspired confidence among pilots and helped to shape the NAF into a combat-ready force.

Tragic Death in Service

Colonel Alao’s career was cut short on 15 October 1969 when his Aero L-29 Delfín, a Czechoslovakian jet trainer used by the NAF for both training and light combat roles, crashed near Uzebba, about 80 kilometres northwest of Benin City.

While attempting an emergency landing after encountering severe weather and running low on fuel, the aircraft struck a tree and crashed, killing him instantly. He was buried three days later, on 18 October 1969, with full military honours at the Ikoyi Military Cemetery in Lagos.

Legacy and Recognition

Colonel Shittu Alao is honoured as a founding father of the Nigerian Air Force. His leadership during the Civil War helped lay the institutional and operational foundation of the modern NAF. His bravery, professionalism and ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire generations of Nigerian air officers and remain a touchstone in the history of Nigeria’s armed forces.

Sources

Nigerian Air Force official history archives

Daily Times (Nigeria) reports on the October 1969 crash

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifestyle

Genevieve Nnaji slams viral tweet urging Igbo men to marry non-Igbo women

Published

on

Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.

The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.

Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.

“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”

Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.

“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”

But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Don’t handle your family feud like I did, Phyna advises Imisi

Published

on

Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.

In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.

“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.

“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”

The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.

Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.

“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.

“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”

Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.

She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.

In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.

In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.

Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.

He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.

He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Ned Never Slept Outside Because I Held Him Well In The Other Room – Regina Daniels

Published

on

Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.

In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.

She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.

“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.

“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending