The Speaker hailed Onyema for his patriotism, saying the lawmakers had recommended the Air Peace boss for Federal Government’s recognition.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday held a session in honour of
the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, for the free air services
offered by his airline to the Federal Government for the evacuation of
Nigerians in South Africa.
The Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa over xenophobic attacks in that country.
Also, the House passed a resolution asking President Muhammadu Buhari to
give a national award to Onyema in recognition of his patriotism, which
the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, asked the Clerk to the House, Patrick
Giwa, to transmit to Buhari immediately.
The lawmakers also vowed to give the first priority to Air Peace when flying to any part of the country.
The Speaker, shortly after saying the opening prayers, asked that the
Order Paper for Wednesday’s plenary be temporarily suspended to allow
the lawmakers to receive Onyema for recognition.
Gbajabiamila asked the Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, to move that Onyema be allowed into the chamber.
As the Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, ushered the Air Peace boss into the
chamber, several lawmakers embraced and shook hands with him.
The Speaker hailed Onyema for his patriotism, saying the lawmakers had
recommended the Air Peace boss for Federal Government’s recognition.
Gbajabiamila said, “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 was 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.”
The lawmakers gave Onyema a standing ovation when called upon to address them.
“You have brought tears to my eyes again. I have never been so honoured in my life,” Onyema said in the opening of his speech.
The Air Peace boss told the House that the evacuation of Nigerians from
South Africa has brought respect to Nigeria across the world. He also
stated that South Africa was suffering dearly for the attacks by its
citizens on non-citizens. He said flights were now going to South Africa
empty and while stocks in the country were falling.
“That singular act has brought so much respect for Nigeria worldwide,” he said.
The Air Peace boss said the pressure on South Africa forced the country to apologise to Nigeria and other African countries.
“It wouldn’t have happened if the evacuation hadn’t take place,” he said.
According to him, xenophobia will die a natural death in South Africa.
The Air Peace boss noted that he had been previously involved in
national projects, urging other wealthy Nigerians to be philanthropic.
He said, “The kind of support we have got from Nigerians through
commendations and everything gladden 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
(the commission) 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 can we have a nation.”
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