Air Peace makes inaugural flight to Ibadan airport, CEO preaches national unity

Nigeria’s foremost carrier, Air Peace, on Tuesday made its maiden flight to Ibadan, with officials of the state government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, personnel of the airline and other stakeholders on hand to witness the historic event.

It was a fulfiment of an earlier announcement by the company to include the Oyo State capital in its growing itinerary of routes, along with Douala in Cameroon.

“These new routes will be operated with our ultramodern Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, and as we take delivery of more brand new E195-E2s as well as other aircraft undergoing maintenance abroad, we shall reinstate more routes and open up more connections,” image maker of the airline, Stanley Olisa, had said in a statement.

NAN reports that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline, Mr. Allen Onyema, took the opportunity to preach national unity and hope in one united Nigeria.

According to the news agency, Onyema stressed that there was need for every citizen to work toward sustaining the unity of the country, saying Nigerians don’t have any other country.

“We might have injustice and inequity in the land; even in our families we have injustice and inequity, we cannot address this injustice and inequity through violence or promoting rancour or things that will tear our families apart.

“Likewise, I want everyone of us to take Nigeria same way; we can jointly and collectively address our shortcomings peacefully as a nation,’’ he stated.

While attributing the coming of the airline to Ibadan route to the “no city left behind” policy of the airline programme where every city in the country will be interconnected by air, Onyema declared: “Plans are already on to commence Port Harcourt to Ibadan flight. Abuja, Ibadan to Kano flight is also already in the pipeline. I believe in the oneness of Nigeria. As a nationalist, I am going to connect all cities in the country.

“I will link Ibadan to the South-South, South-East, North-East, North-West and every part of the country. I believe in the unity of the country.”

Onyema commended Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for attracting investors to the state, stressing that the inaugural flight was the product of the governor`s efforts.

In his remarks, Makinde said his administration would continue to upgrade facilities at the Ibadan airport till it assume international standard.

Makinde, who also inaugurated the Airport Protocol Lounge rehabilitated by the state government, disclosed that contract for the construction of an aviation fuel facility at the airport had been awarded.

He said the facility would enable airline operators to use Ibadan as their operational base.

The governor said the state would also ensure that the airport serves as an immediate alternative to the Lagos airport in case of weather or other challenges.

The governor expressed optimism that the commencement of air flight operations by Air Peace airline at Ibadan, would promote the economy of the state.

The Airport Manager, Mrs. Tega Aiyenuro, said the Ibadan airport, been the only airport close to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, was a viable alternative for flights to any part of the nation and the world.

She called on other airline operators to come to Ibadan airport for business.