Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has provided N30 million to support aviation student Enejoh Faith in completing her pilot training, a move that rescued her childhood dream from financial collapse. Faith, who recently completed her training and scored 89 per cent in her public pilot licence examination, visited Bello at his Abuja residence with her family to express gratitude.
Financial Hardship Nearly Ended Aviation Dream
Enejoh Faith, a student from Kogi State, was pursuing her ambition to become a pilot when financial difficulties threatened to halt her training. Her father presented her admission letter to Bello and explained the family's financial challenges during a visit on July 17, 2025. Bello then agreed to take responsibility for the training, which cost approximately N30 million.
According to a statement by Bello's spokesperson, Onogwu Muhammed, the former governor provided more than the amount initially requested. "The cost of the programme was about ₦30m and the former governor provided more than the amount initially requested because he anticipated that Faith could encounter other financial challenges during her studies," the statement read. The support was not publicly announced at the time, as there was no media event or press conference around it.
Family Expresses Deep Appreciation
During their recent visit, Faith and her family shared updates on her progress and thanked Bello for his intervention. Her father revealed that Faith scored 89 per cent in her public pilot licence examination and has completed her training, moving closer to the next stage of her aviation career. He emphasized that Bello had no prior relationship with the family before the support.
"And Oga did not know me before. He didn't know my daughter," he said. Speaking about the impact, he added, "God will bless you, sir. I have nothing to reciprocate. In this family, after God, you are the next person to us. Our family will continue to remember you. Even at death, our spirit will continue to appreciate you." He also recalled his anxiety before receiving help: "Before we came to your place, my Blood Pressure rose to 180. When we left, and I checked the next day, it came back to 130. If I had died that very day, I would have still died a happy and fulfilled man on earth."
Part of Broader Scholarship Initiative
Bello's spokesperson said the intervention was part of the former governor's private scholarship programme, which has supported education and professional training for several beneficiaries. According to him, at least four people have already received support to become pilots through the initiative, while others have received assistance for university education in Nigeria and abroad.
Faith's family said their visit was simply to appreciate Bello and show him the outcome of the support that helped keep her aviation dream alive. The N30 million support has enabled Faith to achieve a significant milestone in her pilot training, positioning her for the next phase of her aviation career.
