United Nigeria Airlines Names Aircraft After Flt Lt JJ Rawlings

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has honoured the memory of Ghana’s first President in the Fourth Republic, Ft Lt Jerry by naming one of its aircraft after the former Ghanaian President.

The said aircraft was UNA’s first from Abuja, Nigeria, to Accra, Ghana, on Monday, November 10, 2025.

On board were a number of dignitaries, including Ghana’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Baba Jamal, Chief Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman and CEO of United Nigeria Airlines, senior Nigerian Aviation officials and a host of others.

Upon arrival, a representative of the Rawlings family, former Minister and Member of Parliament, Fritz Baffour, joined Chief Professor Obiora to unveil the name of the aircraft.

The inscription read ‘J.J. Rawlings…The legend lives on.”

At a formal inaugural ceremony held at Kotoka International Airport’s Terminal Three, Gate C8, the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, in an address, expressed gratitude to United Nigeria Airlines for naming an aircraft after President Jerry John Rawlings.

He remembered the late former President stating that he would rather live in the hearts of men than have his name on monuments, streets and circles.

He said: “Today the hearts of men, President Rawlings referred to, have been manifested in the naming of the United Airlines aircraft after him.”

“When we say the legend lives on, this is a good demonstration of what it means,” the Minister of Sports and Recreation stated.

Mr Adams recalled how the former President’s love for flying contributed significantly to the rural electrification project, which saw power distributed to all parts of Ghana. When he flew across Ghana at night and saw lights only in Accra and Kumasi, that inspired him to work hard to ensure that the rest of the country benefited from electricity.

Mr Fritz Baffour, former Minister for Information and Member of Parliament, who stood in for the Rawlings family in the light of their recent unfortunate state of bereavement, extended the family’s gratitude to United Nigeria Airlines for the honour done to former President Rawlings, stating that the honour will stay forever.

“Since we are very close to Nigeria and we share very common bonds, this is a plus for us to come closer together. When Nigeria and Ghana get together, no one can stand us. If we come together, we will be bigger than the United States,” Mr Baffour said.

For his part, the Chief Professor Obiora Okonkwo, requested the observation of a minute’s silence in honour of former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, after he had offered his condolences to the family.

He recounted how discussions took place a while ago to celebrate the fifth anniversary of President Rawlings’ passing with the naming of an aircraft after the renowned Air Force pilot.

He thanked officials of both countries who had made it to the inaugural event and promised to ensure that United Nigeria brought quality to the aviation industry in West Africa.

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