Captain Augustine Okon
Pioneer in aviation development
Whenever the history of aviation in Nigeria is told, Captain Augustine Okon, an easy-going, humble, and hardworking entrepreneur from Uruan, Akwa Ibom State, would definitely be given accolades for his pioneering role in private airline development in the country. Captain Okon, together with colleagues and other investors, founded ADC Airlines in 1984, one of the earliest private airlines in Nigeria. He was the Chairman and CEO of the ADC for about 14 years.
ADC had its domestic services to Calabar, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna, and regional flights to Monrovia in Liberia, Freetown in Sierra Leone, Conakry in Guinea, Banjul in Gambia and Accra in Ghana through its subsidiary, ADC Liberia. It was one of the most successful companies in the country and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It was the pride of Nigeria, fittingly.
Captain Okon started flying commercially around 1976. He worked with the Nigerian Airways before he left to establish ADC Airlines. He later left ADC to establish a cargo airline, Fresh Air. He was trained in the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and in Holland. Augustine Okon was only 19 years old when he got admission into the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria. Before then, he had admission to study aeronautical engineering at Iowa Institute of Technology, U.S. It was during the Nigerian civil war, his parents had no money and the government could not sponsor him. He almost dropped out of the College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, when the government of the then South-Eastern State of Nigeria could not pay his tuition fees of 730 pounds. But because he was top of his class, the principal of the college took his case to the school board and they were able to secure a United Nations scholarship for him.
Captain Augustine Okon, Akwa Ibom celebrates you for your entrepreneurial spirit and for the glory you have brought to our dear State!
13 Comments
NSEOBOT UDUAK-ABASI
Captain A. OKON, I join Honest crowd to Celebrate you for you are very unassuming, Focused, Purpose Driven and a People’s Man. You are summarily a GENERATIONAL BLESSING.
Ededet Udo
A great son of Uruan. Thanks for that nugget about someone who saw the best in him and selflessly helped him get a scholarship when it all appeared lost. Let’s give our sons & daughters the support they need to soar!
Tolani Odubanjo
This is a honour well deserved sir and long over due. I celebrate you now and always because you are deserving of this recognition and more sir. God bless you.
Charles Ojunta
On behalf of your cousins the Ojunta’s, I congratulate you on your well deserved recognition. It was long overdue, not only by the AK wa ibom government, but also the federal government of Nigeria should recognize your pioneering efforts as a pioneer in private Aviation business in Nigeria. Once again Congratulations, and God bless.
Chisom Utibe Akah
Proud moment! Congratulations well deserved Captain
Magnus Bassey
Congratulations, Captain Okon. I remember the beginning of that journey. It is quite an achievement. Keep up the good work.
Bunmi Omotubora
Congratulations for a well deserved recognition Captain.
Maurice Offiong
Congratulations Sir for your recognition in the Aviation industry. You are indeed a great Patrician.
Let the Good Times Roll.
Well done sir!
Iniobong Ekanem
‘Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.’.. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Captain, it was not luck that made you but sheer courage. You left footprints on the sands of time.
You took to the SKY and flew like the Eagle – a space many feared to dare.
Great Son of Akwa Ibom, that is who you are.
Your name is there in the Hall of GREATS in Aviation ✈🛫🛩🛬
Prince Otu Arikpo
Very impressive brief,
Big Congratulations on your lifetime Achievements. I’m really encouraged
Justina Okon Udoh
Captain Okon, sir, i join to celebrate you.
Godwin Opurum
Captain,
I thank the Akwa Ibom Government and people for celebrating you.
You have been a role model for those of us who have known you since our days in St. Patrick’s College, Calabar.
More grease to your elbows.
Congratulations.
Epanty Greg
Congratulations to our beloved Captain.
You are a living legend. We are glad to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.
Keep on shinning Sir.