The engine of the helicopter conveying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo which had an emergency landing in Gwagwalada on June 7, 2018 actually failed, Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, revealed in Abuja yesterday.
Osinbajo was in Gwagwalada last Thursday to attend the graduation of 40 senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Customs College.
On his way back to the Presidential Villa, the helicopter conveying him made an emergency landing just about 30 seconds after take-off.
He had to undertake the journey back to the Villa by road along with his aides. But while the story went viral, his media aide, Mr. Laolu Akande, in a tweet, ascribed the reason his principal had to return by road to “technical reasons.â€
However, at a special praise-and-thanksgiving service in the chapel yesterday, Malomo gave the true picture of the incident, saying the engine of the helicopter actually failed.
The pastor who said the news of the averted tragedy filtered in with shock, thanked God for preserving Osinbajo, describing his protection as the protection of the country.
He said a whole lot of 120 hours would be devoted to praising God, teaching people and praying to God for his blessings for Nigeria.
“Last week, we received the news with shock that the Vice-President’s helicopter engine failed and we thank God that God preserved him.
“The preservation of the leaders is the preservation of the nation and, as a result, we want to thank God.
“This programme was organised to thank God for His watchful eyes over our leaders, over our nation and more particularly, over the deliverance for the vice president.
“We will be spending 120 hours praising God, teaching about thanksgiving, praying to God to bless Nigeria more, establish peace in Nigeria more, preserve our nation more and give us the victory that is needed,†Malomo said.
