The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance) has rewarded its staff, Mr. Auwal Dankode, who found and returned the sum of $10,000 while cleaning an aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.

A statement by Mr. Tayo Ajakaye, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, NAHCO, said that Dankode, who was assigned alongside other colleagues, to clean the MS 878 operated by Egypt Air, found the money left behind by the passenger on seat no: 25H.

The statement hinted that he promptly turned the money over to the airline’s Station Manager in Kano.

Commenting on the issue, Mr. Indranil Gupta, Group Managing Director (GMD), NAHCO, said that Dankode for being a true NAHCO ambassador who had put into use the training he received in the company, approved cash reward, instant promotion and his appointment as NAHCO Brand Ambassador.

Gupta, who led the management team in appreciating the staff at the Head Office of the Company in Lagos over the weekend, said the company was proud of the exemplary character exhibited by Dankode.

“He is a true NAHCO ambassador and an embodiment of what NAHCO stands for, honesty, integrity, diligence and hard work.

“We celebrate your being and we want this to be just the beginning. Let the values, which has been instilled by your family, guide you and groom you into ideal leader which everyone will be proud of.”

The GMD pointed out that the majority of NAHCO staff exhibit these values in their everyday work in the company. “We urge you to continue working the same with very high integrity, diligently and continue being a good NAHCO ambassador,” he added.

Also speaking at the occasion, Mr. Adeoye Emiloju, the Chief Financial Officer, NAHCO, commended Dankode on this show of high integrity. He emphasised that the integrity he displayed was not something that anyone could pretend to have, maintaining that he had shown that it was innate to him.

The COO, Mr. Didier Steullet also encouraged Dankode to stay on the good path. Steullet advised: “What you have done is very good. You’re the example not only of the week, but probably of the year. My only recommendation is that please keep going on the same way “Remain yourself and don’t get carried away with the adulation that you are receiving on social media. You need to remain grounded and make a difference in the world. Stay on nice side of the ‘force’ and your life will be good.”

Dr. Sola Obabori added, Group Executive Director, NAHCO, said that Dankode had become a poster boy of NAHCO, not only in Nigeria, but all over the world because the internet makes things global. He pointed out that he had done something that made the ground handling company proud.  “In a today’s Nigeria, where the value of dollar is so very high, by returning so many of them, you’ve done something commendable. For you to have seen something as valuable, and give it up, it shows that you’re a man who has purity of heart. “This is very commendable and appreciated. Every well-meaning Nigerian will appreciate what you have done, he said.

Dankode expressed his great appreciation to the management of NAHCO for giving him the opportunity to break out from his village setting where no one had ever worked in an airport or stood close to an aircraft. “No one in my area has ever worked at the airport. I am very grateful to NAHCO for the training they gave us and also for the opportunity to work and earn a decent living. I am greatly thankful of the NAHCO management for the honour and recognition of my effort” he stated.

As brand ambassador, Auwal Dankode would grace all NAHCO major events anywhere in the country, promote its brand and have the chance to travel and interact with top officials and stakeholders of the company.