Kakalistiq.com reports that what started as a quiet birthday at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) turned into an emotional reunion and a promising meeting of minds, as Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Olatunji Disu, stunned staff and friends with an unannounced visit to honour his brother and friend, Dr. Sikiru Yommy Aiyeola.
The surprise visit which went down yesterday, Monday 5th April 2025, wasn’t just personal, it was nostalgic. Both indigenes of Epe-Lagos State, Disu arrived with his wife, Mrs. Olufunlola Disu, who herself was the Assistant Senior Girl when Dr. Aiyeola was the Senior Boy at Odo-Obara High School, Epe, Lagos, back in 1986. Nearly four decades later, the old prefect walked into NASRDA Headquarters, cake in hand and smiles that told stories of history, loyalty, and deep-rooted friendship.
Caught completely off guard, Dr. Aiyeola, the Epe-born Director of the Space Regulations and Spectrum Management Department, was visibly moved. He quickly rallied some of the agency’s top officials, including Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications, to help receive the distinguished guests.
In a short but heartfelt address, AIG Disu expressed admiration for the atmosphere at NASRDA, calling it his first visit to the campus. He hinted that it wouldn’t be his last, revealing plans to return in an official capacity to explore how the police might collaborate with the agency on security-related space technology applications.
But the visit was more than institutional diplomacy. It was about honouring a friend. “Today is not just about a birthday,” Disu said. “It’s about recognising character, leadership, and the kind of friendship that stands the test of time.”
Dr. Ale, speaking on behalf of NASRDA’s Director General, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, described the visit as “a rare mark of humility,” applauding the AIG and his wife for their genuine gesture. He praised Dr. Aiyeola as a pillar of the agency whose work has significantly shaped recent advancements in space regulation and spectrum management.
“This visit,” Ale said, “is a testament to the kind of person Dr. Aiyeola is: dependable, driven, and deeply respected.”
He also took the opportunity to extend a formal invitation to AIG Disu to visit NASRDA in an official capacity, noting the agency’s growing interest in cross-sector collaborations, particularly in areas where space technology can support national security.
Speaking emotionally, Dr. Aiyeola thanked the Disus and his colleagues, recalling his school days with fondness and emphasising how teamwork has defined his department’s success. He noted that while the birthday was meant to be low-key, the unexpected reunion made it unforgettable.
Mrs. Olufunlola Disu, the former Assistant Senior Girl turned surprise cake-bearer, shared a few words of her own, calling Dr. Aiyeola “a man of honour and integrity,” and wishing him many more years of impactful service and celebration.
From surprise to symbolism, the reunion of school prefects on NASRDA grounds may have started with cake and old memories, but it left behind the scent of something more lasting: the possibility of space and security working hand-in-hand.
Photo Credits: NASRDA Media and Corporate Communication.
