Presidency

Buhari meets Ethiopian Airlines chair, speaks on Nigeria Air

President Muhammadu Buhari says it was a “weighty decision” by the Federal Government to re-launch a national carrier, Nigeria Air, expressing confidence that “things will be alright”.

Buhari said this during a meeting with Ethiopian Airlines Board Chairman, Girma Wake, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Wake requested a resolution of the legal obstacle halting Nigeria Air, which Ethiopian Airlines has 49 per cent stake, from commencing operations.

He also requested the repatriation of the airline funds trapped in the country over foreign exchange challenges.

READ ALSO: Buhari to Nigerians: Vote Tinubu, he’s a true believer in Nigeria

Wake, who met with President Buhari on the margins of the 36th AU Summit, said the airline has been treated well in Nigeria since it started operations 60 years ago in the country.

“Nigeria is not just a market but a hub for aviation in Africa. Nigeria is a special country and nobody travels more around the globe than Nigerians,” he said.

The aviation chief, who was accompanied on the visit by Mesfin Tasswe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, and Daniel Abebe, Group Vice President Strategic Planning and Alliances, hinted that the airline had plans to expand operations in the country, with additional daily flight services to Lagos from Addis Ababa, as well as Abuja-Addis Ababa.

Wake added that the airline and its partners are ready to commence operations on Nigeria Air as soon as all the court matters are resolved.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Wike to rivals: Singing Tinubu’s ‘on your mandate’ now won’t change past deals

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned politicians he described as “emergency…

8 hours ago

Atiku: Gazetted Tax Act unconstitutional, legal nullity

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the gazetted version of Tax Act by the…

9 hours ago

Kano 2027: Gov Yusuf plans to dump NNPP for APC

Barring a last-minute change, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is reportedly preparing to leave…

9 hours ago

ISWAP raid Yobe communities, loot health centre

Suspected members of ISWAP launched coordinated attacks on two communities — Ja Jibiri and Ladu…

9 hours ago

Man killed during turbaning ceremony in Yobe

A 25-year-old man, identified as Maina Jano, has died after being attacked during a turbaning…

10 hours ago

‘Benue is too important’: Tinubu wades into Akume, Alia feud

President Bola Tinubu has promised to resolve the political feud between the Secretary to the…

10 hours ago

This website uses cookies.