Former workers of the defunct Nigerian national carrier, Nigeria Airways have been paying glowing tributes to the airline’s first indigenous Managing Director, Captain Paul Mamman Thahal who passed on during the week.
The tributes compiled, signed and made available to the media by the elders forum of the association of the ex-workers of the defunct airline reads:
Tribute from W.T. family
To our father, senior brother and friend.
The news of your demise came to us like a bolt! You rose up from the ranks of your colleagues to become the Managing Director of Nigeria Airways in the mid 70’s. This, with your appointment as the Managing Director, you worked very hard and transformed the Airline which became comparable to other Airlines like Ethiopian Airline in Africa.
You were a man of integrity and also well disciplined. You clocked about 15,000 hours of flight. You were a faithful, dedicated and honest pilot. It was during your tenure as Managing Director that Nigeria Airways experience tremendous growth, with so many fleets of aircrafts.
You built so many housing estates for us. Your life and administrative skills was a challenge to us coupled with good governance and good leadership. You were a fatherly figure to all the aviation staff and the airline in particular.
The Nigeria Airways family, mourns her former managing director? Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Paul Mamman Thahal.
The W.T Family has been in deep mourning for our pioneer and much loved former Managing Director since yesterday when the news of your departure hit the family’s news stand. Tributes have been pouring from all over the world, from former staff of the airline who were privileged to know you. Our flag has been flying at half-mast in your honour. You were and will always be remembered for your warm and humane leadership style. An epitome of dignity yourself, you treated members of staff with respect and fairness irrespective of their status or grade-level. You were a model within the W.T Family and beyond.
Sir, you will be sorely missed but we are comforted that your good works and love for Jesus Christ have guaranteed you a place with God in eternity. Rest in peace from your trials and toils of this world.
Our condolences to your wife, children and entire family. We pray that they be comforted by the Lord God at this difficult time. We love you dearly sir, rest in perfect peace and good night. Nigeria Airways Limited Ex-Workers.
Capt. P.M. Thahal was a father and a brother to all the staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways. He was full of God’s wisdom and virtues, compassionate and kind-hearted.
He was a man of humor, hardly can you find fault with him. If you are close to him, he could share with you some of his secret, if he trust you. He was a true Christain to the core. Walked in the fear and in the righteousness of God. He played a unique role in making sure Ex-Staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways got their entitlements by contributing morally and financially.
Daddy, your memory lingers on in our hearts. Good night sir.
Capt. Paul Mamman Thahal was a Director and Co-founder of Mission Securities Limited.
He is a seasoned Pilot with several years of experience in the aviation industry. He worked in different capacities in the Nigerian Airways where he became the first Nigerian Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer between 1976/79.
He has flown many Nigerian and African leaders worldwide and won many international honours and award from countries like USSR, Ethiopia, Liberia, Niger, Senegal, and Jamaica just to mention a few.
Thahal was an industrialist, a member and Director of many parastatals and private companies.
As the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airways, he contributed tremendously to the growth and development of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
On behalf of Nigeria Airways Ex-Workers,
Capt. Jonathan B. Ibrahim
Former Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Airways.
Secretary Nigeria Airways Elders Forum
Engineer Kyari, And Mr. Onuh,
Capt. Bob Hayes,
Capt. R.A Orimoloye,
Capt. Dele Ore,
Capt. A. Brown,
Capt. Toks Williams
Capt. Toju Ogisi,
Capt. Tunde Ogunsanwo
Capt. Jaye Adeola
Capt. A. Mohammed and others
Capt. Paul Mamman Thahal was a Director and Co-founder of Mission Securities Limited.
He was a seasoned Pilot with several years of experience in the aviation industry. He worked in different capacities in the Nigerian Airways where he became the first Nigerian Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer between 1976/79.
He flown many Nigerian and African leaders worldwide and won many international honours and award from countries like USSR, Ethiopia, Liberia, Niger, Senegal, and Jamaica just to mention a few.
Thahal was an industrialist, a board member and Director of many parastatals and private companies.
As the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airways, he contributed tremendously to the growth and development of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
