Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to honour the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema for the free evacuation of Nigerians in South Africa following the xenophobic attacks. The lawmakers who held a session in honour of Mr. Onyema, passed a resolution asking President Buhari to give a national award to Onyema in recognition of his patriotism and selfless service to the nation.

Shortly after saying the opening prayers, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila asked that the Order Paper for Wednesday’s plenary be temporarily suspended to allow the lawmakers to receive Onyema for recognition. Gbajabiamila then asked the Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa to move that Onyema be allowed into the chamber. He was then ushered-in by the Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno.

In his speech, the Speaker hailed Onyema for his patriotism, saying the lawmakers had recommended him for Federal Government’s recognition.

“I believe that we are all witnesses to what he has done for our brothers and sisters in the last couple of weeks. We watched the scenes of Nigerians on TV being reunited with their families and friends.

“The emotional scenes (were) brought about or made possible by only one man among many men, a businessman who is into business like every other businessman to make money but who sacrificed his wealth and business, and at no cost.

“And I dare say at a loss, deployed his aircraft to bring back our brothers and sisters who were facing danger in South Africa. This is a feat that should be commended.

“And we hereby commend Mr. Allen Onyema and recommend you to the Federal Government for higher honour in Nigeria,” Gbajabiamila said.

In his contribution, the Chairman, House Committee on Army, Abdulrazak Namdas moved a motion that the lawmakers should recommend the Air Peace boss for national honour to encourage other Nigerians to work in the interest of the country.

When the motion was put to a voice vote, the lawmakers unanimously granted the prayer.

The Speaker then asked the Clerk to the House, Patrick Giwa to immediately transmit the resolution to President Buhari even as the lawmakers pledged to give the first priority to Air Peace when flying to any part of the country. The lawmakers thereafter gave Onyema a standing ovation when he was called upon to address them.

The Air Peace boss told the House that the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa has brought respect to Nigeria across the world, noting that South Africa was suffering for the attacks by its citizens on non-citizens. He said flights were now going to South Africa empty while stocks in the country were falling.

According to him, xenophobia will die a natural death in South Africa, noting that he had been previously involved in national projects. He also called on other wealthy Nigerians to be philanthropic. He added:

“The kind of support we have got from Nigerians through commendations and everything gladdens our hearts to the extent that my pilot and cabin crew stood for 24 hours because they (South African authorities) tried to frustrate us.

“They didn’t want us to evacuate. They pleaded with the Nigerian High Commission not to do it. But they told them that they (South African authorities) could not stop the private citizens. They delayed us for 15 hours before allowing us to do the first evacuation.

“In the last one week, this country has bonded. No more Hausa, no more Yoruba, no more Igbo. Let me use this opportunity to plead with all of you here, the representatives of our people. As long as we fight against each other, we shall not have a nation. It is only when we start fighting for each other that  we can have a nation.”

Meanwhile, the second batch of 315 Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa returned on Wednesday. They touched down at the cargo wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos around 7:22 pm on board an Air Peace flight. The evacuation, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday was delayed due to the delayed issuance of landing permit to the Air Peace aircraft by the South African authority.

About 320 people were expected but a few passengers were said to have been dropped over documentation issues. The first flight had brought back 187 Nigerians out of the 313 scheduled for evacuation last Wednesday.