From left Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo, Chiarman of the Occasion; Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (rtd), President, Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative; Mr Lawal Pedro SAN, Attorney General/Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State; Alhaji Muneer Bankole, MD/CEO, Med-View Airline; HRM Oba Otufolarin Ogunsanwo, The Alara of Ilara Kingdom; Eng. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor, Ogun State and Alhaji Bode Oyedele during the launchBankole’s biography titled “Pathways, Pilgrimage & Destiny” at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday
– Ogun deputy governor, stakeholders hail legacy
Founder of Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankoke has said the urge to teach patience, faith and other virtues of life, even in the midst of hard times and challenges, especially in his years in the aviation sector, inspired his biography titled ‘Pathways Pilgrimage and Destiny’, launched in Lagos on Wednesday.
The launch of the book, written by Omobolanle Ebunoluwa Sotunsa, attracted the creme-de-la-creme of aviation sector, government signatories and traditional rulers from different parts of the country.
Bankoke, who continually attributed his feats in the aviation sector and life in general to God, urged stakeholders not allow the challenges and harsh conditions dictate their fate and overwhelm their vigour to pursue their goals and aspirations but be courageous even in stormy situations.
“There are two things in life that I want to tell colleagues and the people that are yet to learn in life: that no matter the pressure, that you don’t give up. No matter the challenges, don’t get worried.
“That there is one and only God in the universe that created you and I. That we should give everything in our life to Hm. He knows it before we were born. He knows what the journey will look like and He knows what will be our success story. This is what I share in my life. That I now decided to put this together and let the young ones and those who are coming to know the importance of patience. We say no matter any challenges you face in life, be sincere to yourself, be sincere to your family, be sincere to your God and leave the rest for him to do for you.
“And that’s what I was telling my brothers, go to God and keep your pressure down because the measurement of your life is less if you keep the pressure down. That’s why I invited them, those who were with me in the 50s, I invited them to be her, out of 20, we are remaining just four And those whom we attended college together, out of 132, I know that they are not more than 20 that are alive, I also made sure I called them. Let us not give up. God is the only one knows where the journey comes from and where the journey will end”, he said.
Also speaking, Ogun State deputy Governor, Alhaja Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended the Medview Boss for his resilience and professionalism in his profession.
While describing the aviation as a critical sector that must be supported if its potentials should thrive, she urged stakeholders to learn from the life and times of Bankoke while he weathered the challenges in the sector from his days in Nigeria Airways to founding Medview Airlines.
The deputy Governor however, called on stakeholders and government to support indigenous businesses even in their thick and thin rather than showing indifference.
Salako-Oyedele, who alluded to the successes of big international airlines like British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines and others, said they went through their trying periods but enjoyed the support of both governments and corporate individuals before gaining their footing and dominating the skies.
“Aviation is a very delicate sector and that says a lot about business people that venture into it. They are resilient, and we need to continue to support our own airlines, it’s a sector where we have to keep our hands on the pulse all the time, we can’t be wrong supporting our own, let us support them in their thick and thin. The likes of British Airways that are over 70 years started with a step but survived through support from government and individuals.”, she added.
Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Limited also praised Bankoke for laying good leadership virtues, worthy of emulation in the sector.
Also, Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolahan Ogunsanwo, praised Bankoke’s legacy in the sector, describing him as a quintessential Nigerian who started a novel project that transformed the sector till date.
“This is a life worthy of emulation, he never trembled whenever he stated his business, he displayed professionalism right from the days Pilgrimage and hajj services, it is nostalgic”, he said.
Born on the 27th of February, 1956, Alhaji Bankole’s story is one of hard work, perseverance and excellence. His professional career began with the former Nigeria Airways Limited, where he rose through several strategic positions, from Commercial Cadet to District Manager in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Over more than two decades, he acquired exceptional expertise in airline operations, aviation marketing and international management.
With vision and courage, he ventured into entrepreneurship and founded Med-View, which began as a travel and pilgrimage organisation before evolving into one of Nigeria’s notable indigenous airlines, operating domestic, regional and international services. Through this enterprise, he contributed significantly to the nation’s aviation industry while creating employment and expanding travel opportunities for Nigerians.
Bankole is also widely recognised as a pioneer in pilgrimage services. For decades, he has helped make the Hajj and Umrah experience more organised, efficient and dignified for thousands of Nigerian pilgrims, earning widespread respect within both the aviation industry and faith communities.
Beyond aviation, his influence is reflected in the many lives he has touched. As an employer, mentor, philanthropist and nation builder, he has consistently invested in people and inspired excellence. Those who know him best describe him as a man of humility, integrity, generosity, quiet strength and unwavering faith.
