Virgin Nigeria alumni celebrate legacy

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former employees of Virgin Nigeria Airline gathered on Saturday at FM Events Center, Ikeja, to reconnect, reminisce, and build a future collaboration network after 14 years apart.

The event gathered former staff members to celebrate their shared history and to inspire continued collaboration and opportunity through a formal alumni network.

The special event which reunited former colleagues after 14 years also featured musical performances, dancing, and a quiz honouring past Virgin Nigeria workers, with prestigious gifts awarded to winners.

Gabriel Solomon, one of the reunion convener while speaking stated, “The objective was to come together like this, do business together, network and have fun, because that’s one of the pillars of Virgin Nigeria.

“Seeing this number of people here shows that this family is here to stay forever.”

He also revealed plans to formally register the group and launch a transparent website showcasing members and activities.

Solmon thereby invited members to volunteer, underscoring that the group intends to sustain and grow the network actively.

Babatunde Oyetayo, an original engineer at Virgin Nigeria, reflected on the airline’s humble beginnings, recalling, “When we started the game, it was one small room at the Ligali Ayoride. Our office at the International Airport was a parade canteen but the spirit behind that organisation made all of us wanting to be in the office every day.”

He emphasised, “Let’s build on it, and let’s make it something to say that the spirit of Virgin Nigeria never died in us.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Bellagio Airline, Dr Oludare Akande, praised the Virgin Nigeria alumni, saying, “Virgin Nigeria is the pool and the foundation of all the workforce of the aviation industry.

The training, the work ethic that you got working at Virgin Nigeria really transcends to this generation.”

He underscored that the true strength of any airline is its people stressing, “Airline is just not about metal, aircraft, or buildings but it’s all about the people. And you are the people.”