The house of representatives has
recommended Allen Onyeama, chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Peace Airlines,
for national honour for evacuating Nigerians stranded in South Africa at no
cost.
The recommendation was given when
Onyeama appeared before the house during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The lawmakers also resolved to
make Air Peace their main carrier.
They had invited Onyeama to
honour him for offering to bring citizens caught up in the xenophobic attacks
in South Africa back home.
Addressing the assembly, Femi
Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, said Onyeama should be commended for the
kind gesture.
He said the act was a rare show
of patriotism that ought to be celebrated.
“We hereby commend Mr Allen
Onyeama and recommend him to the federal government for higher honours in
Nigeria,” the speaker said.
In his remarks, the Air Peace CEO
thanked the lower legislative chamber for the honour which he said is the
greatest in his life.
“I did not do it spontaneously,
nor did I do it for publicity, I had to mortgage my landing right in south
Africa, because I just got the landing right before the crisis,” he said.
“I did not give a damn, I never
did, because I know that I will not go to heaven with any dime.
“I have never been so honoured in
my life. You have brought tears to my eyes. I would not have been able to do
this if the federal government did not allow me or assemble those people for me
to evacuate.”
Many Nigerians were targeted in
the recent attacks which lasted for days in South Africa.
Air Peace offered to evacuate
those willing to return at no cost. At least 187 have been brought home while
more are scheduled to return this week.
Onyeama said he put together N280
million to bring them home.
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A well deserved honour. God bless you Oga Air peace
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