The federal government of Nigeria has fulfilled its promise of flying Nigeria Air before the end of the Buhari administration as it unveiled the national carrier today at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who has faced the storm over the national carrier unveiled Nigeria Air less than two days before the inauguration of a new administration.
The very elated minister said “when we came in 2015, we knew what to do. We commissioned consultants to give us a brief of what the sector would be…,” the minister said.
” Ethiopia Airline is a good airline and so we partnered it. Nigeria Air will help in Africa connectivity.
” our geography supports aviation operations: we have the population, economy, the know how and the market. It is a huge market with great potential.
“This airline is like any other airline and business entity in Nigeria. It is a limited liability company; the federal government owns only 5 percent shares the airline was an investment between entrepreneurs in Nigeria and an Ethiopian consortium.
“We are grateful to God that it is the Ethiopia Airline that own majority shares. Their history and market status speaks volume. They are in the right spot and destination,” Sirika explained.
Earlier, the permanent secretary of the ministry Dr. Emmanuel Meribole said it was a happy moment for all stakeholders as the dream is to lift Nigeria aviation to the top in Africa and thanked the minister for for persevering in making sure this happens within the lifespan of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
