By:Moji Danisa
Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun was, at a time, the finest fighter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force. He served heroically during the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, flying into danger without hesitation. His courage brought honour to Nigeria at a time when our nation’s flag was a symbol of hope in troubled lands.
In his post-service years, Balogun did not simply retire to comfort; he dedicated himself to the welfare of those who had also borne the scars of war. He founded the Green Heroes Foundation, a lifeline for Nigerian war veterans; particularly those battling the invisible wounds of PTSD, offering them therapy, rehabilitation, and a chance to reclaim their dignity.
When he opened a Lounge in Abuja, it was not just for profit. The proceeds were used to feed veterans, men abandoned in the capital while they chased long-delayed pensions. For him, service did not end with a salute; it became a lifelong mission.
And yet, in the country he served so faithfully, this national hero has been left broken. His first investment was demolished. He gathered the fragments of his dream, rented another plot, and once again invested everything he had, this time from the savings of his retirement benefits. But just days ago, the demolishers arrived without notice, without compassion, and tore it all down.
Witnesses saw him, General Balogun, as he is fondly called, a man forged in the fire of war, standing amid the ruins of his labour. His shoulders trembled, his eyes welled over, and tears ran freely down the face of a soldier who had once stared death in the eye without flinching. The pleas of an old man went unheard. Not even a moment was given for him to salvage a single keepsake.
Perhaps this cruelty was born of overzealousness or the failure to conduct proper checks. I choose to believe it was not malice. And I choose to believe that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, a man of principle, passion, and deep respect for service; a man who’s giving all himself…would not condone such injustice if he knew the full story.
General Balogun deserves better. He deserves to be given a piece of land to rebuild his dream, to stand once again on his feet with dignity.
I wish Minister Wike could read General Balogun’s book, From the Cockpit of Aggressor 08, a gripping account of the wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia. It tells of the bravery of ECOMOG forces, of how Nigerian soldiers stood between defenceless civilians and the marauders who slaughtered, pillaged, and laid waste to nations. This is a book worthy of being made into a movie, the kind of story that could swell the heart of any patriot with pride and sorrow, a book that kept me enthralled for two whole days.
This is not just an appeal, it is a plea for justice, for compassion, and for the recognition of a man who gave his all to Nigeria. Minister Wike, I know you can act. I believe you will.
Moji Danisa, is a versatile journalist/broadcaster and complete media personality. And have practiced for over 3 decades and today is referred to as Nigeria’s Queen of Tabloid Journalism.
