Air force honours reverend sister who died rescuing students during Lagos explosion

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has named a newly built 500-capacity assembly hall after Henrietta Alokha, an administrator at Bethlehem Girls’ College, who died in the Abule Ado explosion.

Alokha died on March 15, 2020, while trying to help her students who were trapped in the fire that occurred as a result of the explosion.

Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff, while unveiling the new building said the decision to name the assembly hall at the air force secondary school (AFSS), NAF base, Shasha, Lagos, after Alokha was to keep her memory alive.

Abubakar was represented by Lawal Alao, the air officer commanding logistics command (AOC LC).

“We remember her for her actions during the Abule-Ado petroleum pipeline explosion which eventually culminated in a fire incident at the Bethlehem Girls’ College,” Abubakar said.

“Reverend sister Henrietta made the ultimate sacrifice on March 15, while evacuating her students from the fire caused by the explosion at the school.”

He said Alokha’s bravery “paid off as no student of the college was lost to the deadly incident”.

“I am convinced that the story of her heroic act on that fateful day will continue to light a path for younger generations and the ones yet to come on the value of selfless service to humanity,” he added.

“Also, her sacrifice will serve as a motivation to officers and airmen/airwomen of the NAF who are presently deployed to various theatres of operation in our country.

“I pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. sister Henrietta Alokha.”