Auwal Dankode, an aircraft cleaner with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance), recently made headlines when he discovered and returned a $10,000 left behind by a passenger in an Egypt Air flight at Kano’s airport.
While cleaning the cabin of an MS 878 aircraft, Dankode uncovered the cash tucked away on a seat. Instead of pocketing the windfall, he promptly reported the find to the airline’s station manager.
In a moment of celebration, Mr. Indranil Gupta, the group managing director and CEO of NAHCO, personally honoured Dankode at the company’s headquarters at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Gupta announced an impressive reward: a cash bonus, an instant promotion, and an appointed role as a brand ambassador for NAHCO.
“We are truly proud of the exemplary character exhibited by Auwal,” Gupta remarked.
“He embodies everything NAHCO stands for: honesty, integrity, diligence, and hard work. We celebrate not just this moment, but the values instilled by your family that will guide you into becoming a leader we can all admire.”
He emphasized that Dankode’s actions were a reflection of the dedication seen in NAHCO’s workforce, urging all staff to embrace these values in their everyday endeavors.
NAHCO’s chief finance officer, Mr. Adeoye Emiloju, also praised Dankode for his remarkable integrity, recognizing him as a role model within the organization.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Dankode responded, “No one in my area has ever worked at the airport. I am immensely thankful to NAHCO for the training that has empowered us and for giving me the opportunity to work and earn a decent living. This honor and recognition mean the world to me.”
