The House of Representatives has recommended that the chairman of Air Peace Airline, Chief Allen Onyema be given a national award.
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.”
