The Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ) would be having their 4th international conference in London, interestingly, on the day of the Pied Piper of Hamelin on June 26, honoring the exact date a mysterious piper purportedly led 130 children out of the German town back in 1284. About 750 years ago.
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WIMBIZ was co-founded by my course mate of 44 years ago, Physics 201. Best graduating student, Methodist Girls' High School, Yaba, Lagos. Ibukun Blessing Bilikisu Awosika, owner of the magnificent Chair Centre, Kagis Nigeria.
One night, I was a security man on duty at the University of East London, Docklands campus. And pointing to Ibukun Awosika on my phone, I told another security man about Ibukun Awosika being my course mate at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. And he replied: "Your own course mate is the chairman of a bank (First Bank) and you are doing security?" Laughter. Somebody had to do the job. Security is the new game in town!
We were the Heroes of COVID-19, helping to run Britain where everyone else stayed at home. We did not do it for the money. We did it for Britain.
Now I want to salute Dr Oladunni Owo, President of the Nigerian Women in Oil and Gas. Professor Bolanle Awe, the world's 7th most important African scholar, would get to read this.
Why?
At a conference on women in energy, oil, and gas, Dr Oladunni Owo singled out my brother security men at the conference and took a group photograph with them! That is unprecedented as far as I know. So Professor Bolanle Awe, who herself has spoken glowingly about Ibukun Awosika, should invite Dr Oladunni Owo for lunch. They would have a lot to discuss. Because Professor Bolanle organised the first Woman and Energy Conference in Nigeria, and probably the Black World. Yewande Taiwo, President of the Nigerian Gas Association, should go and kneel for Professor Bolanle Awe.
I think you should get Professor Bolanle Awe to address this conference by video link, same with the Queen of Mathematics, Professor Olabisi Ugbebor. For obvious reasons.
Herbert Wigwe was reckless with security matters, and that is why he died with his wife and friend Mr Ogunbanjo. Son of the Doyen of Corporate Law, my maternal grandfather's ex-brother-in-law and interpreter, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, and my grandfather Alhaji Jimoh Akitola Odutola, the uncrowned king of Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing in the Black World.
Below is what a security man does in respect of a chartered helicopter.
Herbert Wigwe, who has 106 properties in London, was going to fire all the security men at Access Bank at the outbreak of COVID-19. It was my brother Godwin Emefiele who overruled him. Otherwise, my brothers and sisters would have been sent onto the streets. What were they going to eat? Security is not just physical presence. It is brain work. What if these security men were using their knowledge of security to perpetuate crime and so become a nuisance to society?
Now, the HR Director of Access Bank and the Legal Adviser and Corporate Affairs should have intervened.
Of course, Corporate Affairs should have advised against going to the Super Bowl in the USA when the home team was in a major encounter, or preparing for one.
Please read the AI-generated material below on helicopter security and chartered services.
A security professional’s primary duty to their principal during a helicopter charter is proactive risk mitigation.
Regarding the charter, they do not fly the aircraft, but they are responsible for vetting the vendor and managing passenger safety by coordinating with the flight crew to enforce strict aviation safety standards. 🚁
Core Charter Security Duties
Vendor Vetting and Licensing:
Confirm the charter company holds a valid, up-to-date Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or equivalent regulatory permit. A legitimate AOC is proof that the operator is legally bound to strict maintenance and crew standards.
Insurance Verification:
Ensure the operator carries adequate liability insurance and review the policy certificates in advance. ☁️
Weather Considerations:
While the pilot ultimately makes the "go/no-go" decision based on weather, the security man should ensure pre-flight briefings are conducted. Ensure the crew has provided a comprehensive weather assessment, particularly focusing on wind speeds, low visibility, cloud ceilings, and freezing levels.
Alternate Landing Options:
Ask the pilot for a pre-planned escape route or designated diversion spots in case the weather degrades en route.
Ground Weather Monitoring:
Use aviation weather tools (e.g., Met Office) to track meteorological trends in the days leading up to the flight. 🔧
Maintenance Oversight:
A security professional is not an aircraft mechanic, but their duty is to verify that the aircraft is properly certified and safe for the principal.
Airworthiness:
Request and confirm the aircraft has an active Certificate of Airworthiness and complies with the manufacturer’s mandatory maintenance schedules.
Safety and Security Audits:
Coordinate with the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) or heliport staff (such as the London Heliport) to ensure the aircraft is kept in a secure area, preventing unauthorized access or tampering.
Weight and Balance:
Ensure the crew is provided with an accurate total weight of passengers and luggage to ensure safe takeoff and flight parameters.
🧑✈️ Pilot Flying History:
A secure travel plan depends upon a reliable and experienced pilot. The security detail should review pilot credentials.
Confirm the pilot holds a valid Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter) and a current Class 1 medical certificate.
Assess Experience:
Gather information on the pilot’s total flight hours, specifically their experience in the exact make and model of the helicopter being chartered.
Check Regulatory Standing:
Ensure the pilot has no record of major Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sanctions or recent flight incidents. A thorough security advance should confirm the crew has a history of excellent Airmanship and follows strict crew resource management.
How to charter a plane or helicopter safely
1 Apr 2026 — A private plane or helicopter must follow a strict maintenance program, regular inspections, and pre-flight checks. The aircraft used for the charter are not "per..."
Skylark Aviation Expert
Terms and Conditions - PDG – Aviation Services
FLIGHT REGULATIONS
Signed:
Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, London, England 🇬🇧 June 24, 2026
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