Chidiebere Nwobodo
When curtains fell on 9th April of 1957; the day that heralded 10th April of 1957; Aliko Dangote’s birthday, not even the commercial city of Kano got wind of what the next day would arrive with it. The weather was normal as usual, people went about their businesses; farming, religious activities, etcetera, without a glimpse of what the next day would deliver. At the eve of 10th April, 1957, I can guess that not even Mariya Sanusi Dantata knew the enormousness of the seed of greatness in her womb. The D-day came, Aliko Dangote was born like every other child. Nigeria became endowed with this great son of Africa.
Chidiebere Nwobodo
History was reshaped on 28th January, 2021. West cum Central African fastest growing indigenous airline, Air Peace Airline, brought in the first of its brand new E195-E2 airplanes into Nigeriaâs airspace. The E195-E2 aircraft is the first of this brand in Africa. In 2019, Air Peace Airline made a firm order of 13 brand new E195-E2 jets and Purchasing Right order of 17 aircraft of the same brand, from Brazilian aerospace conglomerate, Embraer, making it a total of 30 brand new E195-E2 airplanes that will soon dominate Nigerian skyâand beyond.
These 30 new aircraft when fully delivered, have the capacity to create tens of thousands of jobs. What a revolution in the aviation industry!
Not to be outdone, the visitors also created their chance in the 7th minute when Kenechukwu Agu’s corner was met by Ugochukwu Ugwuoke but he couldn’t direct his header on target.
However, the home team had the first attempt on target when Godwin Aduda aimed at the goal from 25 yards but his effort was calmly collected by Rangers goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu.
Rangers continued to fashion out goal-scoring opportunities and were duly rewarded in the 29th minute when two former Rangers stars, Aguda and Omoniwari combined to give the hosts the only goal of the game.
Aguda’s low cross was met by Omoniwari who got trapped inside the net after scoring.
Greatness is a recycle of excellence. If it can be conceived, it can be achieved. In the spectrum of life, the bridge between one end of an idea and the other end of accomplishment is sheer resilience epitomized in eagle-eyed vision and laced with grace. Air Peace Airline under the leadership of Chief Allen Onyema has increasingly demonstrated these unparalleled attributes amidst strangulating operating environment.
When this airline debuted in Nigeria’s aviation industry few years ago, some Nigerians received the news with mixed feelings not because of anything associated with Air Peace, but as a result of repeated failures witnessed in the industry in the past. Many of the airlines that graced the limelight with pomp and circumstance, exited even before the euphoria of their launching could die.