On Monday, December 14, Naij.com
team was in Agbaakin Compound in
Jobele area of Afijio local government
in Oyo state. The mission of the team
was to interview one Mr Paul Onah who
boasts of the nation’s first complete
and locally-built helicopter.
In a one on one chat with Naij.com’s
Oladele Hakeem, the professional
Welder turned-inventor explains how
the journey started and what he
foresees upon the addition of some
other components which will make the
helicopter eventually fly in the air.
He went into the interior of his
invention and started its engine. The
helicopter started with its blades and
propellers rotating.
Below are excerpts from the interview:
Could you please tell us about yourself
in details?
My name is Paul Onah. I am 35 years old. I am married
with 2 children. I am from Benue state. I am a Welder by
profession as well as a Panel Beater. I came from Benue
state several years ago before I came to settle to here in
Jobele.
You are here standing beside your
locally-built helicopter. Tell us how it
all began with the helicopter
Thank you very much. The idea to build my helicopter actually
started 5 years ago when God first inspired me to invent an
airplane. I initially did not understand this because I never
understood it was God who was speaking to me in my dream.
I only heard a voice and was a bit confused.
However, in 2012, my late father who died several years ago
appeared to me in my dream and told me to build a
helicopter. After waking up in the morning of that day, I
asked myself, how will I build an airplane when I have never
come in contact or touched an aeroplane before in my life?
As you are seeing me, I have never been to an airport
before. Likewise, I had no money then that would enable
embark on the project. It was not until I told my lovely wife
that I was finally convinced and encouraged that this project
will come to see the light of the day.
Hmmmm …….
Give us more details into how you
constructed this helicopter standing
here
Okay. As I said earlier on, after telling my wife and she
supported the idea, I first began work on prototypes which
included jet and small helicopter all designed using woods. This
was possible because I bought children’s toy airplanes and
watched videos of how aeroplanes and helicopters are built.
This was really what further boosted my courage and
resilience that I will build a helicopter one day.
The reason for using initially woods for my airplane was to
know the design of what I wanted for my work. However, I
began building this helicopter you are looking at in January
this year. But I cannot really remember the actual date now.
So, how much went into this project
and which materials did you use?
Since the time I started building this helicopter, all the money
I made from my welding job and from the sale of my Volvo
car totally 300 Hundred Thousand Naira all went into this
project. Even when I told my brothers to assist me, none of
them helped me. They said it was a white-elephant project.
However, I was not discouraged as my wife, Margaret and
my first child Mary all prayed for me that I will succeed.
Since I used to have 2 vehicles, these were Datsun and
Volvo. I sold the Volvo to buy materials like iron plate, blade
propellers, tyres and other materials from Oyo. I converted
the Datsun car by reconstructing it.
As I got all the materials on ground, I began work and here
is what you have.
Do you think this helicopter will
eventually fly?
Yes! By the grace of God. It will still fly if I finally get the
remaining needed materials.
Source: Naij.com
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