By Milton Tella – Few hours to the touchdown of the Nigerian private airline, Air Peace maiden commercial flight to London Gatwick Airport, some 200 influential Nigerians in the United Kingdom had gathered in solidarity at a Business Cocktail Evening organised at The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross, Strand, London.
The cocktail was organized by the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS) led by Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan, to welcome the Nigerian airline, Air Peace to London, after over seven years absence of a national flag carrier on a route many regard as one of the most lucrative in the aviation sector.
The news of the commencement of a direct Lagos to London Gatwick flight operation by a Nigeria carrier had spread like wildfire among Nigerians in the UK and expectations were very high. The excitement according to reports was attributed to what many termed exploitative charges by the foreign airlines.
Mr. Ikenna Nnabuife, Deputy Marketing Manager of the award-winning airline, Air Peace, said, “our vision is to be ever dependable through the creation of seamless connections and network options for our domestic, regional and international markets.
London service has commenced and we’re delighted to have achieved yet another feat in our drive to continually provide peaceful connectivity across cities.”
Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman & CEO has promised that Air Peace will sustain the Lagos to London flight at reduced price.
According to reports by an African Voice correspondent, the inaugural flight took off from Nigeria promptly at 6.00pm Nigerian time on Friday 29 March and check-in closed at 10.30pm. The direct flight to London Gatwick on the luxury Boeing 777 took off and touchdown in Gatwick airport at 5.45am on Saturday 30 March 2024.
On board the maiden flight which was received at Gatwick Airport by diplomats from the Nigeria High Commission London led by the acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Cyprian Heen and some Nigerian community leaders in the UK, were passengers including the Honourable Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Chris Najomo, Acting Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Allen Onyema, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and some members of the National Assembly. Majority of the passengers rated the flight operation as very smooth and of first class hospitality.
The inaugural flight marks a significant achievement for the airline as it expands its international routes, opening up new opportunities for business and travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The convener of the Business Cocktail Evening, Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan, described Air Peace as a source of pride for every Nigerian. He revealed that the business cocktail event was put together within only 4 days and yet people turned up with great excitement. He described the founder of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema as an altruistic and patriotic Nigerian who freely airlifted hundreds of Nigerians who were trapped in Sudan in 2023. He called on the community to rally round Air Peace to ensure that they compete favourably with all other airlines on the world stage and promised to work with Air Peace to ensure that they satisfy the needs of the Diaspora.
In separate speeches, the Head of Information, Nigeria High Commission London, Mrs Ubong Johnson pledged the High Commission’s support for Air Peace as the airline begins their journey to London.
Other top leaders of the Nigerian community, the Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, Ayo Akinfe, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora, UK South, Pastor Niyi Zacchaeus, past Chairman of CANUK, Dr. Boma Douglas, two-time past Mayor of Enfield, Auntie Kate Anolue, Nigerian Women in Diaspora founder, Jenny Okafor, Past Chairman of Ohaneze Europe, Chief Anthony Ajidua, all called Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to make Air Peace the airline of choice when travelling to Nigeria and other destinations.
The main presentation of the night was made by Ikenna Nnabuife, Deputy Marketing Manager, Air Peace, who revealed several options and incentives for individual and corporate customers. Ikenna also led other Air Peace officials at the event in answering Diasporans questions during the question-and-answer session.
Other members of the Air Peace team included James Bello, Head of IT, Sindy Foster principal managing partner at Avaero Capital Partners and Air Peace Country Manager, Dubai operations among others.
The event attracted several dignitaries and leaders from the Nigerian Diaspora. Among them, Femi Okutubo, publisher of The Trumpet, Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice newspapers, Dr Alistair Soyode, the founder of BEN TV, Europe’s first Black TV channel and former Chairman of NIDO Europe, Hauwa Yussuf Europe NTA representative, DJ Abass, an acclaimed Entertainment Consultant; Dr Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa Esq., the Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Diaspora Matters, founder of BEFFTA, Dr. Pauline Long amongst several other leaders from the African Diaspora community. African beauty queens: Miss Africa UK, Miss Pride of Africa UK, were also in attendance to add glamour to the evening.
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
