BY CHIKA KWAMBA
Leaders in the aviation industry bade a final farewell to the late General Manager of the Asaba Airport Company, Mr Lionel Thorne.
A service of songs was held at the airport premises in honour of the late Mr Thorne, drawing a distinguished gathering that included renowned environmentalist, Chief Newton Jibunoh, top government officials, dignitaries, colleagues, and family members, among others.
In an emotional tribute, the Managing Director of the Asaba Airport Company, Mr Christophe Pennick, shared memories of Thorne’s dedication, selfless service, leadership, and warm working relationship.
“The late Thorne and I have come a long way. The first time we met and worked together was in South Africa, where he served as a manager at Etihad Airways. When the opportunity came to run an airport, I was looking for someone extremely reliable, knowledgeable, and professional, and someone drew my attention to the late Thorne”
“It took very little time for us to conclude our plans for managing Asaba Airport. I can tell you a thousand and one stories, how we went from zero to what we have now, how we hired our drivers and domestic staff.
“Whatever you see here today, the professionalism, the quality of work, the service we provide, 90 per cent of it was Thorne’s contribution. He was a perfect match for me. I could easily get worked up, but he was always the calming force. He spent long hours at the airport, fixing and overseeing things.”
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport and Aviation and former Project Director of Asaba Airport, Mr Austine Ayemidejor, shared his reflections. Though his encounter with Thorne was brief, he described him as a brother and a friend whose character was transparent and easy to understand.
“The deceased was calm, humble, unassuming, and accessible, a good team player and a constructive listener. All these qualities in one man made him truly great. He understood clearly that everything in this world is vanity. He was here yesterday, and today he is gone. This is a lesson in humility for all of us still on this side of life,” Ayemidejor noted.
Speaking on behalf of the family, William Thorne and his sister, Sonya Joubert, expressed gratitude to the Asaba International Airport for honouring their brother.
“My brother was a quiet man with a deep sense of commitment and stayed true to his word. He wouldn’t want us to drown ourselves in sorrow, but to hold on to the good memories and the example he set,” William said.
Earlier in the service, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Okafor, delivered a homily titled “Make Atonement for the Dead,” reminding all in attendance that, regardless of belief, ideology, or doctrine, there is life after death.
He emphasised the mercy of God, noting that it is the sustaining grace for both the living and the dead.
In her tribute on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Garden, the Sales and Marketing Manager, Ms Oluebube Okafor, described Thorne as a fatherly figure, optimistic, warm, approachable, and a natural problem solver.
Others who spoke included: Special Adviser on Finance, Investment, and International Development, Government House, Asaba, Barr George Orugu; Director of Administration, Government House and Protocol, Asaba, Mr Francis Eboka, among others.
