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Nwogu Lauds Minister of Aviation on Air Peace Inaugural Flight to London Heathrow Airport

Published

11 months ago

October 25, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

As Nigeria marks a new milestone in its aviation history, Chidi E. Nwogu, former member of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and former Subcommittee Chairman on NAMA, has commended the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), for his steadfast efforts in ensuring fairness, equity, and national interest in the aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Nwogu — who currently serves as a Member of the Governing Council of the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja expressed his delight at being among aviation stakeholders scheduled to participate in the Air Peace maiden non-stop flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to London Heathrow Airport, England, on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

Mr. Nwogu lauded the Aviation Minister for his resilience and strategic leadership in implementing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which has paved the way for Air Peace to operate this lucrative route, previously dominated by foreign airlines.

“With this singular gesture,” he stated, “the Honourable Minister has created a highly enabling environment for indigenous airlines with the potential to expand their routes and strengthen their operations. This development also opens opportunities for local carriers to enter effective dry and wet lease agreements that meet international standards, allowing them to compete with the very best.”

He further commended Chief Allen Onyema and the management of Air Peace for taking advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate the capability and professionalism of Nigerian airlines on global routes.
Mr. Nwogu noted that this achievement aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Nigerian First Project,’ which emphasizes promoting local capacity and prioritizing Nigerian excellence across sectors.
> “I am confident that our local airlines will continue to match — and even surpass — the operational quality and consistency of their foreign counterparts,” he added.

In a related remark, Mr. Nwogu drew attention to the Nigerian Automotive Industry Bill, sponsored by Senator (Engr.) Patrick Ndubueze, which has passed its Second Reading in the Senate and is awaiting a public hearing. He explained that the Bill seeks to strengthen local manufacturing and encourage Nigerians to patronize domestically produced goods — particularly by directing government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize local procurement.
Finally, Mr. Nwogu urged Air Peace and other Nigerian carriers to explore lucrative West African routes that are currently monopolized by foreign airlines.
> “It is surprising that some of these shorter regional routes attract higher fares than certain European destinations,” he observed. “It’s time for Nigerian airlines to compete favorably within the subregion.”

As Air Peace commences this historic inaugural flight to London, Mr. Nwogu expressed optimism that the airline’s preflight handling, onboard services, and arrival operations will meet or exceed international standards — further showcasing Nigeria’s growing competence and confidence in global aviation.

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Musawa Seeks Broader Significance for June 12

Published

13 hours ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., says June 12 must be remembered as a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy, beyond its status as a public holiday.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister,Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D in Abuja.

Musawa stated this at the national premiere of “MKO”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday, but the film turns it back into memory.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for. This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Host, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and paying the price in exile, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry will keep telling the story of its democracy with courage.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the director of the investigative documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film was in honour and memory of heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy.

“There was a great man called Bashorun MKO Abiola and there is now another great man called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democrats. Nationalists. Nation builders. Leaders of men and women. We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan said.

Top government officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Femi Gbajabiamila, state Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries attended the premiere.

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