Akpabio Recounts How He Gifted Young Man $85,000 After Mid-Flight Encounter

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has shared an inspiring story of generosity, recounting how a chance encounter with a young man aboard a commercial flight years ago turned into a life-changing experience.

Speaking at a recent event, Akpabio revealed that the incident occurred while he was serving as a state governor and frequently travelled on commercial airlines. During one of his trips, a young flight crew member, who had long wished to meet him, finally got the opportunity.

“At about 35,000 feet, he came dressed in his uniform and said to me, ‘Your Excellency, if this plane should crash now, some of you will die as rich men, and some of us will die as poor men,’” Akpabio recalled. “I asked him, ‘How do you want to die – as a rich man or a poor man?’ He replied, ‘I’d like to die as a rich man.’”

The Senate President explained that the young man went on to share that he had gained admission into an aviation school in the United States but lacked the funds to pay his tuition.

“When we landed, I told him to leave the aircraft and follow me,” Akpabio said. “According to him, not from my mouth, the first money I gave him was about $85,000. Later, he brought two of his friends, and I did the same for them. Their lives changed completely.”

Akpabio added that the young man, who is now successful and has a family, recently recounted the story during an interview with media personality Daddy Freeze.

“Someone stumbled on the video on Instagram and brought it to show me,” Akpabio said. “If he is listening to me tonight, tell him I would like to see him so that I can pay him back some of the money.”

The Senate President’s story has since drawn wide attention, with many praising his act of kindness and generosity.