Onyema Commends President Tinubu over Reforms in Aviation Industry

Chinedu Eze

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the on-going reforms in the aviation industry.

Speaking during the 10^th anniversary of Air Peace, held at the Eko Hotel and Suits, Lagos at the weekend, Onyema said hope began to rise in the aviation industry in the last one year, when Tinubu appointed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who started a revamp of the industry to enable Nigerian airlines compete effectively with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

“Now, you must have noticed some changes in the aviation industry in the last one year. I want to use this opportunity to thank the President, for creating a platform through the instrumentality of his appointment of Keyamo, as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

“So, if I praise President Tinubu, you must know I am saying the truth because I am involved. The appointment of Festus Keyamo, has given rise to a transformation of the aviation industry. A lot of you may not know some of the things that have been causing the high mortality rate of airlines in Nigeria. We have a minister that came onboard and surprised all of us. The one thing he has done very well is that he listens and the minister has no agenda for his self-interest. This minister has no self-interest. This is someone that will take a decision and will follow it through,” Onyema said.

The Air Peace Chairman emphasised that part of the minister’s key to success was listening and he is open to discussion.

“Every decision taken by Keyamo is in the best interest of the airline industry. When he signed the Cape Town Convention, he was not doing it for any particular person, he was doing it for the entire aviation industry. And I am sure starting from next year, airlines in Nigeria will start accessing dry lease,” Onyema further said.

The Air Peace Chairman expressed gratitude to Nigerians, saying that the airline is a national project, which is owned by Nigerians.

“So, we are very grateful to Nigerians from all works of life. Air Peace belongs to all of you. Air Peace does not belong to the Onyema family. Air Peace belongs to all Nigerians. We believe that this airline belongs to all Nigerians,” Onyema further said.

Congratulating Air Peace on this feat, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, said airline business remained capital intensive but with very low profit margins, noting that anyone who wants to go into airline business wants to contribute in building the economy of his country, not necessarily to make huge profits.