Family members, friends and associates of aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist and politician, Comrade Isaac Balami, have unveiled plans to organise a grand celebration in honour of his 42nd birthday on August 25, saying his outstanding contributions to humanity, youth development and national progress deserve to be celebrated.
The announcement was made by the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Comrade Yerima Shettima, alongside Ambassador Kalu Ndubisi, on behalf of the organising committee.
According to the committee, Balami’s achievements over the years, particularly his commitment to youth empowerment, education, philanthropy and the advancement of Nigeria’s aviation sector, have made his 42nd birthday a milestone worthy of national recognition.
“This is not merely a birthday celebration,” the organisers said. “It is a celebration of impact, service and a life dedicated to creating opportunities for others. Isaac Balami has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is measured by the number of lives transformed.”
They disclosed that activities marking the celebration will commence on August 25 and will feature programmes highlighting Balami’s contributions to aviation, entrepreneurship, education, philanthropy and public service.
The committee explained that, unlike previous birthday anniversaries, which focused almost entirely on humanitarian interventions, this year’s celebration will provide family members, friends, colleagues and admirers with an opportunity to honour Balami’s enduring legacy while sustaining his tradition of giving back to society.
One of the major highlights of the event, they revealed, will be the inauguration of a Council of Mentors and the induction of 42 fellows, a platform designed to preserve Balami’s ideals of service, excellence and nation-building.
According to the organisers, the fellows are expected to become ambassadors of positive change in their various fields, extending Balami’s vision of empowering people and impacting communities across Nigeria.
“We believe that one of the greatest legacies any individual can leave behind is the people whose lives they have shaped. These 42 fellows will serve as multipliers of the values Isaac Balami represents and will continue the work of transforming lives long into the future,” the committee stated.
The organisers recalled that Balami’s 40th and 41st birthday celebrations were marked by large-scale empowerment programmes that benefited more than 160 Nigerians pursuing careers in aviation.
They explained that 40 beneficiaries were sponsored for aircraft manufacturing training, another 40 received training as cabin crew members, 40 qualified as aircraft planners, while another 40 were trained as flight dispatchers.
According to the committee, many of the beneficiaries are now gainfully employed within the aviation industry, while others have secured professional licences that have opened up new career opportunities both within and outside Nigeria.
The committee also highlighted the activities of the Isaac Balami Foundation, noting that the organisation has awarded scholarships and other empowerments to more than 600 Nigerian children across the country, including providing scholarships, shelter and healthcare for them, among other supports.
It described the initiative as one of the many ways Balami has continued to invest in Nigeria’s future by expanding access to quality education and creating opportunities for young people to realise their potential.
As part of the celebration, the organisers announced that former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, will chair the event, while the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, will serve as co-chair.
They further disclosed that the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., whom Balami has often described as a brother and close friend, is coordinating the planning committee. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr Yetunde Adeniji, will serve as the organising secretary.
The committee said additional details of the programmes lined up for the celebration would be unveiled in the coming days.
“We are confident that this celebration will go beyond marking a personal milestone. It will inspire more Nigerians to embrace leadership, selfless service, patriotism and the spirit of giving back to society,” the organisers added.
They also expressed optimism that the 42 fellows to be inducted would make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s development and carry forward the values of excellence, integrity and service that have defined Balami’s life and career.