7th March, 2022
Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Allen Onyema has appealed to everyone involved in the face off between the company and Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, to sheath their swords and embrace peace.
Onyema made this call at the weekend after receiving the Independent Newspapers Limited (INL) Businessman of the Year Award at an event held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
He said the matter is becoming an ethnic issue, urging those who might be affected by the issue to let go of it and allow peace to reign.
Onyema said what transpired was just a misunderstanding and that Air Peace was born out of peace.
According to him, “I am also a man of peace from childhood and some people are just trying to blow the issue out of proportion.
“I am using this medium to appeal to everyone that is connected and involved in the matter to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign. The matter is gradually turning to an ethnicity issue, we should not allow that to happen because I love my country. The Emir of Kano is my brother,” he stated.
The Air Peace boss thanked Independent Newspapers Limited for bestowing the award on him, saying he is elated by the fact that the company could honour him with such an award.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who was awarded the Governor of the Year on Infrastructure and Urban Renewal, appreciated Independent Newspapers for the recognition, describing it as an important award from “the foremost publication in our country”.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who bagged the Governor of the Year Award (Good Governance and Responsive Leadership) commended INL for the award.
Diri described Bayelsa as the most peaceful State in Nigeria, adding that it is the hub of petroleum, oil and gas in the country.
“The price of crude has increased and unfortunately the reverse is the case in terms of what we receive as monthly allocation.
“However, we embrace peace because of who we are as a people, we have engendered prosperity brief. We are prepared to host the world. Don’t forget that we now have an airport which is functional.
“We will be silent on what we are going to do in the future. We don’t make noise but silently, we will be developing our State and continue to impart on the lives of our people,” he said.
Chairman of the Occasion, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in his remarks, appreciated the newspaper for the opportunity given to him to chair the event.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Director of MAN, Ambrose Oruche, congratulated all the awards recipients, just as he assured Independent Newspapers Limited that MAN wouldcontinue to support the media outfit.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Independent Newspapers Limited, Steve Omanufeme, explained that the Year 2022 Award focused on people with exceptional performance in their chosen profession and walks of life, hence the theme “Celebrating Trailblazers.”
He said the company’s board of editors embarked on a thorough and painstaking assessment exercise from which the awards recipients were selected.
“So today, we are here to celebrate you all for your services to Nigeria, our country, in your chosen fields. Indeed, you all have a rich resume of achievements worthy of emulation. This year’s awards are also unique because, for the first time, we decided to honour some philanthropists making a difference in our society. We are delighted to celebrate them,” he said.