Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has denounced what he described as a “targeted and orchestrated campaign” aimed at discrediting the carrier.
Speaking to journalists at the airline’s Lagos headquarters on Wednesday, Onyema called on Nigerians to abandon what he termed the “pull-him-down syndrome,” especially when it concerns indigenous enterprises.
His comments come amid ongoing public back-and-forth between Air Peace management and former Edo State governor and current senator, Adams Oshiomhole, following a check-in dispute at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
Though he did not address the senator directly, Onyema urged the public to support the airline in recognition of its service to the country.
“Air Peace has done a lot for our fatherland and we will continue to do it because we see it (airline business) as a calling, not to make money,” Onyema stated.
“Air Peace has spent several billions on rescuing this country, the government of Nigeria and Nigerians free of charge. We demand to be applauded. We demand to be appreciated by our country. Anything other than this should be questioned.”
He continued: “Nigerians should begin to jettison this pull-him-down syndrome of their own. It should be jettisoned.”
“Both government agencies and the citizenry should jettison this pull-him-down syndrome because it has become a culture where people who should protect their interests want to kill it. They want to do everything to bring down their own.”
Onyema warned of the long-term societal consequences of undermining businesses that generate employment.
“If you destroy any indigenous business that is providing massive job opportunities for the people, and people lose their jobs, you do not know where the next suicide bomber, the next armed robber, the next kidnapper will come from.”
Calling for national unity and economic patriotism, he said: “We should begin to fight for our own. We should begin to love this country. Do not look at a business and say: ‘this is owned by an Igbo man. Therefore, let us bring it down. Because this business is owned by a Hausa man, let us bring it down.’”
“Nigerians should begin to do things that will promote the well-being of indigenous investments.”
“Anything other than that is an aberration. We must, as Nigerians, be deliberate in promoting oneness and the well-being of Nigerian businesses because they provide jobs for people.”
Heathrow Slot Secured, Abuja-London Flights to Begin
In a significant development for the airline’s international operations, Onyema announced that Air Peace has officially secured slots at London’s Heathrow Airport. The airline will begin operating flights from Abuja to London starting October 26.
“Our daily flights to London are going well. Come October 26, we will start our Abuja-London.”
“I want to announce to you that the British authorities have granted Air Peace Heathrow. That is a testament of their belief in what Air Peace is doing. We thank the British authorities for doing that.”
He extended appreciation to government officials supporting the airline’s expansion:
“We also thank the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and President Bola Tinubu for all they are doing to showcase Nigeria. Internationally, Air Peace has represented this country well and proudly.”
“As a result, they rewarded us with Heathrow. We will also do some Gatwick because they granted us seven days to Gatwick.”
