NNPCL’s Corporate Communications Chief Cancels 50th Birthday Celebration Amid Nigerian Helicopter Crash Tragedy
Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has made the difficult decision to cancel his 50th birthday celebration in response to the recent helicopter crash in the Niger Delta region.
This decision was announced by Soneye himself during a worship service in Lagos on Tuesday, where he marked his 50th birthday on October 29, 2024.
The shocking incident occurred on October 24, 2024, when an Eastwind Aviation-operated helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N BQG, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar. The aircraft was carrying eight people, including six passengers and two crew members, at the time of the tragedy.
As the search and rescue efforts continue, four bodies have been recovered so far, and the black box, Flight Data Recorder (FDR), and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) remain missing due to challenging environmental conditions. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is working to determine the cause of the disaster.
In a statement, Soneye expressed his deep regrets for the unfortunate incident and its impact on those affected. “I have decided to cancel my 50th birthday celebration, which was planned for November 2nd, considering the current situation in the country and the recent helicopter crash involving some of my colleagues,” he said.
He apologized for any inconvenience this may cause, particularly for those who had traveled from abroad, and extended his heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims. Soneye concluded by expressing his hope that God would bring comfort to all those involved in this tragic incident.
Noteably, however, the ‘5 Hours of Praise’ event led by Pastor Abbey Olusanya will proceed as planned, as announced by Soneye.
