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General News of Thursday, 18 March 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Meet the Nigerian pilot who flew two US Presidents

Air Marshal Alex Badeh Air Marshal Alex Badeh

Many Nigerians outside the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces will not know of the exploits of late Air Marshal Alex Badeh. His influence on the Nigerian Airforce cannot be over-emphasized as he is regarded as one of the best pilots Nigeria has ever produced.

Born on November 7, 1957, in Vimtim, a village in Adamawa State, the former Chief of Air Staffs' success story began when he was admitted into the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) as a member of the twenty-one regular course on 3rd January 1977.

He would later begin his flying career at the 301 flying centers on the Bulldog primary trainer aircraft in 1979.

So full of enthusiasm and passion, Badeh is reported to have on several occasions shut down the plane's engine mid-air, cascading down ten thousand feet over Kijama Hill in Kaduna only to revive the engine back to life just before hitting the surface. He trusted his skills and wasn't scared to die.

He grew in strength, rose through the ranks until he became the commander of the presidential fleet during the Obasanjo regime. He flew VIPs, dignitaries, top government officials, and head of state during his time with the presidential fleet. It was reported that at the end of 2002, Badeh has logged over 6000 flying hours.

His experience and knowledge were enough for the US secret service to give him the green light to fly United States presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter on different missions.

He gained the commendation of late United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan on an Abuja to Accra-London flight as he maneuvered the plane back to its space following a sensor problem. He was rewarded with a Kofi Annan autographed pen afterward.



Badeh was later elevated to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal on 3rd June 2008 & between the time-space of 2008 to 2009, he was directing staff of the national defense college Abuja & eventually become the director, national military strategy at the same school ( college ).

He was the 18th chief of air staff in Nigeria, subsequently, he was appointed as chief of defence14th January & became one of the three Nigerians to have reached the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The post he held until 13th July 2015 when he was relieved of his post by President Muhammadu Buhari .

He was assassinated just a month to celebrate his 62nd birthday anniversary in December 2018. He died from gunshot complications when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja Kebi road. Alex Badeh is an epitome of a successful career. He contributed his own quota to national development during his lifetime. May his soul rest in perfect peace.