Ibom Air is here again. In February 2019, I had the experience of a lifetime when I was witness to history at the official launching of the 2 aircrafts that flew in from Calgary, Canada to kick off as Ibom Air.
The occasion was witnessed by the then President of the Senate, as well as a high- powered delegation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, and okayed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. To underscore the historic importance of the event, the then sitting Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki came in early from Abuja that morning. He flew in on his private jet, to personally inaugurate the 2 CRJ900 jets, out of 3 to form the nucleus of the airline, and thus signal its take- off.
What a glorious sight it was to look up into the skies of Uyo and see the jets arrive. As they taxied to a complete halt on the runway, shouts of jubilation rent the air from everyone present, dignitaries and all. Even so, every heart blessed Governor Udom Emmanuel ( Mr Right) for the great feat.The able team to deliver this project was headed by Mr Akan Okon, seasoned banker and technocrat, who ensured that the airline came on stream; on schedule.
It must be stated here that the operation of Ibom Air by a State Governor is A FIRST IN AFRICA AND THUS ADDED ANOTHER FEATHER IN GOV EMMANUEL’S INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRIALISATION CAP. Your sincerely have full details of the Ibom Air inauguration account in The Nation newspapers, entitled ‘Udom Says Let There Be Flight”.
Very shortly afterwards I flew aboard Ibom Air to and from Abuja, and the airline has kept faith with the Governor’s vision of providing travel in comfort, convenience and style.
This is further buttressed by the airline’s Technical Consultant, Captain Mfon Udom. Captain Udom had informed everyone that, “all the successful airlines in the world are government owned”. Captain Udom is the founder of ADC Airlines. When it was in operation, it provided seamless services from the convenience of its residential estate office in Uyo, by coach to Margaret Ekpo International Airport Calabar( the closest) and then onto flights , to Lagos and Abuja, even without night- stops to passengers. He brings his wealth of experience to bear on the Ibom Air project.
Before the coming of Governor Udom Emmanuel, it had been the noteworthy experience of every prominent person from Akwa Ibom to have been listed, and to fly on the MOBIL plane. The small aircraft which flies from Lagos or Port Harcourt and lands on a tiny airstrip in Eket, used to be the only way to have an unbroken flight from outside the state, to come into Akwa Ibom.
Today, I sit in the Abuja airport awaiting my Ibom Air flight. The announcement comes on , with ATTENTION PLEASE- Ibom Air is going to… so many destinations around Nigeria!It is a hallmark of African pride.
Gov Emmanuel was emphatic when he began the airline, that it would be operated as a business. He informed people that the airline would travel on commercially viable routes. He said that the airline would directly create 400 jobs, and those jobs would come with specialised skills. The Governor’s projections are viable, and they are also measurable. 3000 more indirect jobs would be created by a functioning airline.
For the people of Akwa Ibom, this is a Governor who has scored many firsts WHICH ARE OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
Beyond starting a state- owned airline ( a national and continental first), Governor Udom Emmanuel is one person who has broken the jinx of Governors working only up until elections. Before him, it was simply taken for granted in Nigeria that government activities were put on hold during electioneering periods. But Gov Emmanuel completed an Aviation project in the height of the 2019 elections.
Another first: During the Covid-19 lockdown, Governors all over the world concentrated on healthcare, as well as on welfare palliatives for their citizens. Nigerian Governors were no exception. And then photos emerged of the Governor, taking delivery of yet another state of the art aircraft, immediately after the lockdown was partially eased.
Just days back his work was unveiled and Ibom Air launched another route on its expanding network- daily flights from Calabar to Lagos and Abuja, which began on Monday 20th July 2020. So just when a new reality of Covid-19 let it be known that once again, governance must be put on hold pending the lifting of the lockdown: Gov Emmanuel proved that he, himself is constantly working!
No wonder Senator Bukola Saraki said of Governor Emmanuel- “We celebrate a man who has a dream for his people. What he has done shows he is thinking of how to make life better for his people. We celebrate the audacity of hope”.
And Captain Udom had promised,“ the policy of Ibom Air is that it will fly when our customers want to fly, and not when we want to fly”.
This is further fulfilled now with the flight from Calabar, to Lagos and Abuja, daily.
The First Lady of the State, Mrs Martha Emmanuel, has described Ibom Air as “ Simply The Best”.
Indeed, UDOM IS CONSTANTLY WORKING.
Contact: Twitter @mikky_princess
