By Chinelo Obogo
Arik Air, United Nigeria Airline, and Air Peace have congratulated Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who was honored with the ‘Minister of The Year 2024’ award by The Sun Newspapers.
The prestigious accolade, bestowed by the Board of Editors of The Sun Newspapers, was presented to Minister Keyamo by Ms. Diana Chen, Chairman of CIG Motors Limited, during a grand ceremony held on Saturday, March 1st, in Lagos. The event was attended by top executives from the corporate world, oil and gas industry, the banking sector, and prominent political figures, celebrating excellence across various fields.
The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, praised Keyamo’s dedication and resilience. In his statement, he remarked, “This well-deserved recognition is a testament to your dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence since assuming office. We commend your unwavering efforts to drive lasting transformation in the aviation industry and wish you continued success in your endeavors.”
While the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, highlighted the Minister’s visionary leadership and transformative reforms. He stated, “This well-deserved recognition highlights your visionary leadership, transformative reforms, and unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector. Through your Five-Point Agenda, you’ve elevated safety, infrastructure, support for local operators, human capacity building, and revenue growth, significantly improving Nigeria’s global aviation ranking from 40% to 90%. Your leadership has empowered indigenous airlines and strengthened aviation’s role in economic development. This award is a testament to your enduring legacy and continued inspiration. Congratulations once again. Nigeria’s aviation industry is soaring under your leadership.”
On his part, the founder of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, also lauded Keyamo’s efforts, saying; “This well-deserved recognition is proof of your visionary leadership and transformational programs in the aviation sector. Your dedication to excellence and collaborative spirit have made a significant impact, and this award is a celebration of your outstanding achievements. We wish you continued success, wisdom, and inspiration as you strive to shape the future of the country’s aviation sector for better results.”
Keyamo’s recognition as ‘Minister of The Year 2024’ underscores the significant strides made under his leadership in Nigeria’s aviation sector, earning commendations from key players in the industry.