By Dickson Omobola

An employee of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, NAHCO, Mr Auwal Dankode, who returned $10,000 found in the seat of an EgyptAir aircraft, has won the Unsung Hero category of the Pride of Ground Handling Award at the Ground Handling International, GHI, Conference, Barcelona, Spain.

Dankode was recognised for his exemplary honesty after returning the money found during a cabin cleaning operation at his Kano International Airport station.

A panel of international judges considered Dankode’s act of admirable integrity as excellent enough to trump other five finalists from other countries.

Dankode, a cabin cleaner with NAHCO Plc, had received widespread acclaim both within and outside the country after he returned the sum of $10,000 found in the Egypt air seat vacated by travellers in August.

A security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makaman, said in a post on X in August that Dankode, after discovering the cash, promptly reported the incident to the airline company’s manager, initiating a search for the rightful owner.

Makaman had said: “Auwal’s actions serve as a shining example of the positive impact that even small acts of kindness can have.”

Likewise, Auwal’s story was shared across various platforms, including social media pages of prominent Nigerians and blogs, capturing the nation’s attention with many acclaiming his extraordinary act of honesty.

In recognition of his behaviour, NAHCO had also bestowed upon him numerous accolades, including cash rewards, a double promotion and an ambassadorial role.

Furthermore, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, honoured him as the Nigerian of the Week on August 28th, acknowledging his unwavering honesty and accountability.

Nigerians on various media platforms have praised Auwal with majority of them noting that his brand of honesty was hard to come by, especially considering the current exchange rate of the naira to the United States Dollar.