SUCCOUR has come the way of a 35-year old Nigerian pilot, Daniel Olagoke Fakayode as his aviation career which was on the verge of being truncated has been revived.
The Port Elizabeth-based Daniel who had previously obtained his private pilot license was faced with financial issues towards the end of his commercial pilot license training.
This unsavoury situation occurred in the midst of hostility towards Nigerians which resulted in xenophobic attacks. Life was therefore miserable for him as he had to temporarily drop out and concentrate on surviving.
Things were so bad that he had to relocate from a comfortable neighbourhood to live in the suburbs where he was constantly attacked by locals. He was however lucky to survive various muggings.
Determined to fulfill his desire to be a full-fledged pilot, Daniel approached family members who he believed were liquid enough to assist him, but he was unsuccessful in this bid.
According to him, he was in major need of the sum of $10,000 to finish his training which was to have been completed within 12 months.
“I had already obtained my private pilot license here in South Africa but I needed to earn my commercial pilot license. It was in the process of getting this that I ran into financial snag which was caused by unfavourable exchange rate and reduced cash flow.”
He added that his journey started at Airline Pilot Training Centre, Port Elizabeth, South Africa but he could not finish within the normal 12 months because of finances so he opted out to do some work and raise funds.
“It was a dream shared by my father and I that I become a fully qualified pilot so funds were raised for me to start afresh at Madiba Bay School of Flight, South Africa.”
Despite restarting at Madiba Bay, finance was still a challenge so he sought the assistance of Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, the Global Lead Pastor of London-based SPAC Nation, also known as The Nation Family.
“Me and my family are ardent followers of Pastor Tobi Adegboyega and his ministry, as well as his philanthropic works. I thought to approach him with my challenge and God laid it in PT’s heart to help me out.”
A sister of the beneficiary whose name is Bolarinwa said the SPAC Nation Global leader wasted no time in attending to their needs.
“PT promptly came to our aid and helped us put an end to this long and embarrassing saga for our family. He helped fulfill a father’s wish of seeing his son qualify as a full-fledged licensed pilot.”
Bolarinwa added that her family would remain forever grateful to Pastor Tobi for taking on the role of an angel when all hopes seemed lost.
“We are indebted to this great man of God for doing the Lord’s work in this family.”
In his reaction, Pastor Tobi stated that his support for Daniel was borne out of him being a humanist and has nothing to do with being a Pastor.
“This is just testament to my willingness to go the extra mile and sacrifice my all to ensure that all Nigerians are able to achieve their potential and I am willing to do this as much as I can with anything that is within my capacity.”
He added that considering religion, race or other criteria in supporting people is not what The Nation Family stands for.
“It is not that we have excess to support everyone who needs our help right now but we will continue to make sacrifices to support as many as we are led to help. All to the glory of God.”