Obiora Okonkwo United Nigeria Airlines Chief
Congratulations to Professor Obiora Okonkwo and United Nigeria Airlines on securing approval for international routes to New York, Dubai and Canada.
This is exactly how nations grow. We cannot keep complaining about unemployment and capital flight while handing our skies to foreign airlines.
Allen Onyema of Air Peace broke barriers. Obiora Okonkwo is doing the same. These men are proving that Nigerian businesses can compete globally when given a fair chance.
President Tinubu should now take the next logical step: make it mandatory for every government official travelling on taxpayers’ money to fly a Nigerian airline if a Nigerian airline operates the route. Governors, ministers, lawmakers, advisers—everyone. Frankly, it is indefensible for a public official to spend Nigerian taxpayers’ money enriching foreign airlines while bypassing Nigerian carriers that employ Nigerian workers, pay Nigerian taxes and invest in the Nigerian economy. If a Nigerian airline flies the route, there should be no excuse and no exception.
Why should Nigerian taxpayers fund foreign airlines while our own carriers struggle for patronage? That makes absolutely no sense.
God willing, if my schedule permits, I will gladly join United Nigeria Airlines on its maiden flight to Canada. When Nigerians dare to dream big and win, they deserve our support.
Nigeria must stop exporting opportunities and start backing its own champions.
By Senator Ben Murray Bruce
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