On Thursday 5th November my husband dropped me off and my 10yr old at the airport to catch our plane heading to yola via Abuja for my sister's wedding.
As we boarded the medview aircraft and I was already on my sit next to my son Amir. I suddenly started to panic and I was feeling almost breathless. I didn't know what to do so I reached out to my phone which was already switched off, i switched it on, and called up my husband.
Hubby picked up and I told him I needed to get off the plane because I was having anxiety issues. Being my husband he is use to all these, as I am one woman with fear of the unknown. He calmed me down and convinced me that everything was going to be OK.
I sat back trying not to think too much. I held my son's hand as the plane took off. About 10 to 15 minutes into the journey, I noticed I was sweating and so was my son. It became clear that the air conditioning system wasn't working and breathing became difficult. it felt like there was no pressure in the cabin.
Suddenly the oxygen masks dropped out of the compartment above us and the cabin crew announced that we should quickly use the masks.
I was shaking out of fear and everyone else was panicking and confused. I wore my mask and helped Amir with his.
My heart was racing and all I could think of was my 10yr old. The worst part was that most of the masks had no oxygen coming out. It took a while for me to realise that my son's mask had no oxygen and I imidiately removed mine and tied it over his head.
As an asthma patient, I reached out for my inhaler which was in my bag and after a while I had to share the oxygen mask with my son.
I could hear a baby crying and the mother calling for help, the baby needed air and I was shocked all the flight attendants were not seen anywhere on the aisle. Few seconds later one of the crew finally went over to assist the woman and her baby.
Amir was so scared and I kept telling him that everything will be OK. I had no choice but to stay strong for him. I held him close to me as I pray.
The plane had to make an emergency landing back to lagos and we landed safely. This is an experience I will never forget.
This incident made me realised how one minute you are OK and the next minute you are gone. It made me cherish life more and thought me never to take people or anything for granted henceforth.
I Thank God Almighty for letting me, my son and all those with me on the plane see yet another day. And may we never experience such horrible incident for the rest of our lives. I pray no one should ever go through this.
It is a cold night on a dark deserted highway. Indeed a still night, the leaves & flowers barely move.
