The award, the legislative house said, would be in appreciation of the selfless service he rendered to the country by offering to use his airline to evacuate Nigerians stranded in South Africa over xenophobic attacks.

The recommendation followed a motion to that effect by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC-Adamawa), at the plenary session.

The motion was unanimously adopted.

Suggesting that the Air Peace boss should be given a national award, Namdas said he had performed a rare feat by saving Nigerians stranded in South Africa.

He said Onyema’s action was more appreciated in view of the fact that he offered to help even when no member of his relative was among the stranded Nigerians in South Africa.

The Deputy Minority Whip, Nkiruka Onyejeocha (APC-Abia), was also full of praises for Onyema.

She said he had helped to restore the dignity of Nigerians in South Africa.

She said:  “As long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest time will not seize; whatever you sow, you shall reap; those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. You have sown good seed and you shall reap the reward; I join all our leaders to say thank you.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who expressed appreciation for the help Air Peace had rendered other Nigerians should emulate Onyema.

His words:  “First it was 178 persons, then 320; I am aware that another Airbus has gone to bring more Nigerians home. Onyema had done this even at a ‘loss’ and at great personal cost; this is a great feat for commendation. We thank and commend you, we urge all Nigerians to emulate this conduct Onyema has displayed.”

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One of the conditions, he said, was to avoid nepotism.

Kukah made the declaration on Friday during the funeral Mass the father of Chief Michael Onyema, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.

The late Michael Onyema is the father of the chairman of  Air Peace Airlines, Barr. Allen Onyema.

Describing the situation in the country as very difficult, Kukah said with commitment, the situation would be improved: “I am supremely optimistic about this country, because nations are not built by human beings; they are built by God.

“As we continue in this turbulent country, we must know that God is in charge of the affairs of Nigeria and we should avoid the celebration of nepotism.”

Speaking at the occasion, the Air Peace Airline boss commended Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for the upgrade of Asaba Airport, saying he had taken it to international standard.

According to him, Asaba Airport had been transformed and could now land a Boeing 777 aircraft.

Onyema, therefore, called on Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to “quickly give approval for triple 7 to land in Asaba Airport and see what Air Peace will do.”

He also said that the management of Air Peace was considering making Asaba Airport its operational base in view of its new standard.

“The governor, Distinguished Senator Okowa has done very well in Asaba airport and I will talk with my management to domicile Air Peace in Asaba,” Onyema said.

He also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to show love to one another, observing that criminals could hide under any guise to commit crime.

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra; his Edo State counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki; former Governor, Peter Obi of Anambra State, top operators in the airline industry, among others, attended the funeral.

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