OSITA CHIDOKA
Transforming a dream into reality is a measure of commitment, dedication, and an uncompromising push in one direction. As I landed at the Abuja Airport yesterday morning, I saw passengers boarding Green Airways, I couldn’t resist taking a picture.
About 2015/16 Keem Belo-Osagie introduced a young man to me and asked that I help him with aviation authorities. Babawande Afolabi came to my house in Abuja, and I assumed he worked for a company in the Aviation sector. My first impression of him was of a young, mild-mannered, and tentative person. As we conversed, he struck a chord with his passion and big dreams.
He was not a staff member of an aviation company but the CEO of a company that plans to run an airline in Nigeria. The plan was a business plan in PowerPoint only at that time. I thought that was bold. With an MBA from Stanford University, Babawande dreamt, like most Americans with top school education, would.
We met variously in Abuja and Bethesda, Maryland, as I assisted, in a small way, with aviation permits. He had rough times. Sometimes, when he popped in to see me in Bethesda, he would be tired and frustrated but optimistic.
On April 8, 2021, he shared a video of their first two aircraft with me. His PowerPoint presentation and dream of Green Airways had transformed into a reality with multiple aircraft moving passengers daily across Nigeria.
His successful fundraising, both debt and equity from global sources plus his management of the challenges of navigating Nigeria’s bureaucratic landscape, stood him out as a young man to watch. I am proud of what he has achieved. He is an example of the Mekaria spirit. Of doing more and doing better.
Today, 1st October, my Mekaria training program will go live, and I hope it will ginger a few to dream and bring the dream to reality.
Do More, Do Better.
©Osita Chidoka