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Air Peace Chairman Allen Ifechukwu Onyema is one of Nigeria’s most accomplished and hard-working entrepreneurs. His airline Air Peace not only redefined the aviation industry but also provided immense relief to millions of Nigerians. With his relentless determination and vision to democratize air travel, Onyeama has grown Air Peace into a dominant force that can directly compete with the world’s airlines.
However, despite his significant contributions to Nigeria’s aviation industry, he has repeatedly faced scrutiny, victimization and scorn from foreign authorities and Western media. This ongoing attack on Onyema is more than just a personal attack, it is a blatant affront to the Nigerian aviation industry and calls for urgent action by all parties.
At a time when the cost of air travel was skyrocketing, AirPeace stepped in to stabilize the market. With foreign airlines dominating major routes, Nigerians were at the mercy of astronomical airfares.
The ripple effects were devastating, limiting the ability of the average citizen to fly and stunting the growth of the country’s aviation industry.
But Air Peace, under the astute leadership of Chief Onyema, has disrupted this narrative. By offering competitive pricing and expanding national, regional and international reach, Air Peace has provided Nigerians with an affordable and reliable alternative. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Air Peace became a symbol of healthy competition, lifting the industry and curbing exploitative practices by foreign airlines.
Air Peace’s international successes, including the historic launch to London Gatwick, are evidence of Air Peace’s pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Nigeria’s Honorable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo,’s landmark push to secure the lucrative BASA route would not have had the same impact without the involvement of Air Peace.
The airline’s presence on international routes, particularly in major destinations like London, has challenged its long-standing monopoly and helped bring down soaring fares. This development not only empowered Nigerian consumers, but also marked a major win for the local airline in a highly competitive global market.
Onyema’s Air Peace will pave the way for other Nigerian airlines to fly more BASA routes, ushering in a new era of international connectivity and competition. His contribution was revolutionary and a fact that should be celebrated rather than unfairly attacked.
The repeated attacks on Onyema by US authorities and the Western press appear increasingly orchestrated, raising suspicions that it is part of a larger plan to destabilize Nigeria’s aviation sector. It is no coincidence that Onyema is facing increased scrutiny as Air Peace rises and challenges the status quo. This situation should be a wake-up call for all Nigerians, especially those in the aviation industry.
This is not just a fight for Onyema, but a fight for the survival and autonomy of Nigeria’s aviation sector. At a time when Nigeria is seeking to establish itself on the world stage, the attack on Air Peace, the closest thing Nigeria has to a national flag carrier, is an attack on the future of the entire industry. Make no mistake: Chief Allen Onyema’s plight is a battle for the soul of Nigerian aviation, and the fallout will not only affect Air Peace, but hundreds of employees and the broader economy. will give.
If authorities, regulators and stakeholders in the aviation industry fail to rally behind Onyema now, it will be an incalculable loss to the country. This is a moment that calls for unity, not division.
The future of Nigerian Airways depends on the survival of its largest company and Chief Onyema embodies the aspirations and ambitions of countless Nigerians as the Vice President of Airways of Nigeria (AON). His ouster will be a blow not only to Air Peace, but to all stakeholders who believe in the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
If I were a member of AON, I would not stand idly by while one of our most prominent members faces such unjust persecution. The fact that Onyeama has built one of the largest employers in the Nigerian aviation industry speaks volumes of his dedication, vision and ability. Allowing him to fall victim to outside forces is tantamount to a slap in the face to the entire aviation industry.
Defending our country: a matter of national pride
We have to ask ourselves: If we don’t protect ourselves, who will? Allen Onyema’s contribution to Nigeria’s aviation industry should inspire pride rather than condemnation. Air Peace is the pride of the Nigerian aviation industry and represents our collective ambition to compete on the world stage. The airline is a symbol of our ability to build and sustain a world-class business that provides critical services at home and abroad and challenges global giants.
Now is the time for the Nigerian government, aviation regulators and all industry stakeholders to come together. We must reject any agenda, foreign or domestic, that seeks to tarnish the legacy of one of our greatest entrepreneurs.
Nigeria’s aviation roadmap, dreamed so painstakingly by Festus Keyamo and mapped out by Chief Onyema and others, must not be derailed by baseless accusations and targeted victimization.
Now is the time to act
Allen Onyema and Air Peace represent the future of the Nigerian aviation industry. His plight is not just his own, but also a call to action for all Nigerians. The stakes have never been higher and this is a turning point in the history of Nigerian Airlines. If we don’t act now, we risk having foreign interests undo the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Now is the time to avoid bitterness and rally around your own feelings. Let us not allow outside forces to sow division or, as the saying goes, “stain our white garments with blood.” We must unite to protect Onyama and Air Peace. The survival of Nigeria’s aviation industry depends on it.
Concerned aviation investor Stanley writes from Abuja:
