Photo caption: Pix from left Alhaja Rafiat Bankole-Savage; Mr Fatai Owoseni, former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace; Alhaji Muneer Bankole, MD/CEO, Med-View Airline; HRM Oba AbdulAzeez Gbadabiu Asiwaju, The Onikotun of Ikotun; Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo, Chairman of the occassion; Proefssor Hamidu Sanni, former Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo and Professor Ebunoluwa Sotunsa, Author of the book during the launch of the Autobiography book of Alhaji Muneer Bankole titled “Pathways, Pilgrimage & Destiny: The Autobiography of Alhaji Muneer Bankole’ held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday
The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Noimot Salako-Oyedele, says supporting domestic airlines and local businesses will boost sustainable economic growth.
This is just as she noted that the aviation sector is not only delicate but also a capital-intensive industry that remains highly sensitive to regulatory shifts and global economic dynamics.
She this yesterday in Lagos at the official launch of a book titled, “Pathways, Pilgrimage & Destiny: The Biography of Alhaji Muneer Bankole, written by Prof. Mobolanle Sotunsa.
Speaking further, the Ogun State Deputy Governor said, “It takes a can-do spirit to venture into such a delicate, capital-intensive industry. As Nigerians, we must continue to support our own businesses. Overseas airlines that we hail today started small decades ago. Let us help our local operators navigate their teething pains so we can build enduring national institutions.”
Speaking on Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the Managing Director of Med-View Airline for pioneering private Hajj operations and point-to-point international routes out of Nigeria, Salako-Oyedele stated that the current market leaders in Hajj operations are building on the foundation Bankole laid done years ago.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the book launch, the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, commended Bankole’s doggedness, energy, faith, and discipline as it was in the era of the liquidated Nigeria Airways Limited(NAL)
According to Oba Ogumsanwo, “He dared where others trembled. He started Med-View Airline with immense energy, strict professionalism, and an unbending commitment to timekeeping, while equally serving pilgrims on holy journeys to Saudi Arabia.”
On her part, the author of the book, “Pathways, Pilgrimage & Destiny,” Prof. Mobolanle Sotunsa,said that the newly unveiled biography of former Med-View Airline Managing Director,, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, is an authentic record of a life anchored on faith, diligence, and divine providence.
Speaking on how the process to writing the book was done, the Don said that compiling the work took four years of extensive research, archival verification, and in-depth interviews.
She continued, “As an author, my responsibility was not to write a eulogy, but to present a truthful account of a remarkable life. My task was to ensure that future generations would encounter not myth, not exaggeration, but evidence, not mere celebration, but enduring lessons.”
Sotunsa emphasised that Bankole’s entrepreneurial success and foray into aviation were driven by a sense of sacred trust (amanah) rather than commercial gain alone, buttressing her point with the Yoruba cultural philosophy that says character defines true beauty (Iwa l’ewa).
The essence of the book , she said is to outlive its subject and inspire future generations to uphold integrity above influence.
According to her, “If this biography inspires even one young Nigerian to believe that character is greater than wealth, purpose greater than position, integrity greater than influence, and service greater than self, then the four years invested in writing it will be greatly rewarded.”
Reviewing the biography, of Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the Secretary General of the League of Nigerian Columnists, Prof. Anthony Kila emphasised that the book serves as an instructive guide on navigating life, business, and character.
He pointed out that Bankole’s biography illustrates how individual character shapes destiny and turns corporate success into a shared public good.
The Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, in his goodwill message described Bankole as an industry mentor whose career progression from Nigeria Airways staff to airline founder remains an inspiration.
According to him, “Going into aviation is not a piece of cake. Alhaji Muneer Bankole has paid his dues and shown what it means to be willing to dare in an industry that rarely rewards the faint-hearted.”
Speaking on his biography and what propelled him to document the journey of his life, Bankole advised younger generations to embrace faith, patience (Sabr), and perseverance.
In his words, “No matter the pressure and no matter the challenges, do not give up. Be sincere to yourself, your family, and your God. Life’s journey requires patience, and when you hand your struggles over to the Almighty, He directs the path to a meaningful destiny.”
The book launch attracted a lot of personalities from far a near .
They include : representatives of state governments, traditional rulers, academicians, school classmates, aviation professionals and industry stakeholders, media executives, family, friends, and well-wishers from both public and private sector
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