December 10, 2005, is a day etched in the memories of Nigerians and the global community. On that fateful day, 19 years ago, a devastating plane crash occurred at the Port Harcourt International Airport, claiming the lives of 108 people.

The ill-fated McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 passenger jet, operated by Sosoliso Airlines, was on a scheduled flight from Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Port Harcourt. As the plane attempted to land, it slammed into the ground and burst into flames, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.

The tragedy was compounded by the fact that 59 of the victims were children from Ignatius Loyola Jesuit College, a boarding school in Abuja, who were returning home for the Christmas holidays. The sole survivor from the group of children was Kechi Okwuchi, who suffered severe injuries. The other survivor, Bunmi Amusan, also sustained severe burns, covering 40% of her body.

The crash highlighted the inadequacies of Nigeria's aviation infrastructure at the time. The Port Harcourt Airport was ill-equipped to handle emergencies, with only one fire truck and no ambulances available. Unfortunately, none of the seven crew members survived the crash.

The Sosoliso plane crash was a wake-up call for Nigeria's aviation industry, leading to improvements in safety measures and emergency response protocols. As we remember the victims of this tragedy 19 years later, we honor their memory by acknowledging the importance of prioritizing safety and investing in critical infrastructure.