* Dignitaries at the burial of late Mrs. Comfort Olateru, the mother of the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr., Akin Olateru,
…Describes Her As Jewel Of Inestimable Value
The Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr., Akin Olateru, has described his late mother as a jewel of inestimable value and that he sold all she had to pay his tuition fee in 1986.
He said this while speaking to journalists in an interview at Oshogbo during the burial of his late mother, Mrs. Comfort Olateru.
He revealed that his late mother sold all she had to ensure he went to school.
He recalled that in 1986 when he gained an admission into the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, the late mother, who was a nurse, sold her only car at N2,000 to pay his first tuition fee.
This action, he said led to ridiculing of her mother by her mates, but that he gave God the glory for all he had achieved since 1986 till date.
Olateru noted that if not for his mother, who sacrificed everything she has for his education, he would not have been where he is today.
In his words, “If I have to come back again, I still wish she would be my mum because without her, to be honest with you, I don’t think I will be where I am today.
He continued, “She sold her only car to pay my first one year fee in Zaria (NCAT). It was just N2,000 in 1986. She became a laughing stock among her mates. They mocked her that what will that child come out to be and she always say ‘by the special grace of God that child will come out well.’”
Olateru advised today’s parents to inculcate morals and values into their children, adding that prayers would go a long way for children to face life challenges in the future.
Speaking further, he said, “You can only fight and go through with prayers. Without prayers, you can’t go far in life. Parents should teach their children the way of the Lord.”
Dignitaries at the event were Aviation Minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika,Hon, the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, former Rector of NCAT, Capt. Adebayo Araba, former governors, ministers and representatives from the Federal Executive Councils.
