Nigerians in the UK gathered in unison on Thursday night to celebrate Nigerian airline Air Peace’s entrance into the London route.
The new route was unveiled to community leaders and business delegates at a well-attended business cocktail on behalf of Air Peace with the top management of Air Peace and leaders of community and the business community.
Organised and led by the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS), about 200 guests were treated to wine and finger food at the Clermont, Charing Cross, Strand, London. Air Peace is set to begin operating flights between London Gatwick and Lagos from end of this month.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner, Amb Cyprian Heen was represented by the Head of Information, Mrs Ubong Johnson.
She pledged the high commission support for Air Peace as they start their journey in London.
The business cocktail was graced by representatives of the Nigerian
High Commission, UK Nigerian community champions and business
leaders, friends of Nigeria and other celebrities.
Mabel Marquez Prieto (Nollywood Actress), Mr Olu Ayegbusi, (Chairman, Olu Olu Foods), Judy Akuta, (Nollywood Actress and Welfare Secretary
CANUK), Mr Dun Salam, (Chairman of Admiralty Homes and Estates, Lekki)
In his welcome speech the convenor of the event, Prince Bimbo
Roberts Folayan, described Air Peace as a source of pride for every
Nigerian.
He revealed that the business cocktail event was put
together within only 4 days and yet people turned up with great
excitement. He described the founder of Air Peace, Dr Allen
Onyema as an altruistic and patriotic Nigerian who freely airlifted
hundreds of Nigerians who were trapped in Sudan in 2023. He
called on the community to rally round the airline to ensure that
they compete favourably with all other airlines on the world stage
and promised to work with Air Peace to ensure that they satisfy the
needs of the Diaspora.
Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan, Founder, NDDIS and Convenor, Sindy Foster, Principal Managing Partner of Avaero Capital Partners
Proposing a toast to Dr Allen Onyema, Sindy Foster, an aviation
expert and Principal Managing Partner of Avaero Capital Partners
and Air Peace consultant revealed that the event coincided with the
birthday of the founder and led the guests in singing a happy
birthday song.
Ikenna Nnabuife, Deputy Marketing Manager, Air Peace.
Mrs Ubong Johnson, Head of Information, Nigerian High Commission and Prince Bimbo Folayan, Convenor
In separate speeches, top leaders of the Nigerian community, the
Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, Ayo
Akinfe, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora, UK South, Pastor Niyi
Zacchaeus, past Chairman of CANUK, Dr. Boma Douglas, two-time
past Mayor of Enfield, Auntie Kate Anolue, Nigerian Women in
Diaspora founder, Jenny Okafor, Past Chairman of Ohaneze
Europe, Chief Anthony Ajidua, all called Nigerians and friends of
Nigeria to make Air Peace the airline of choice when travelling to
Nigeria and other destinations.
Pastor and Mrs Niyi Zacchaeus, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO UK South), Mrs Zacchaeus, partner, Crownwise Consult and
Miss Africa, UK
Tojake UK-Wade, Nu9empire founder, Hon Lady Jane Ezolu, Vice Chairman, NIDO UK South, Kola Olutimehin, Corporate Trainer, Bimbo Folayan
and Mrs Kemi Lawson, Financial Adviser
The main presentation of the night was made by Ikenna Nnabuife,
Deputy Marketing Manager, Air Peace, who revealed several
options and incentives for individual and corporate customers.
Ikenna also led other Air Peace officials at the event in answering
Diasporans questions during the question-and-answer session.
Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) executives
The event attracted several dignitaries and leaders from the
Nigerian Diaspora. Among them, Femi Okutubo, publisher of
Nigerian Trumpet, Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice
newspapers, Dr Alistair Soyode, the founder of Europe’s first Black
TV channel and former Chairman of NIDO Europe, Hauwa Yussuf
Europe NTA representative, Deejay Abass, an acclaimed
Entertainment Consultant; Dr Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa Esq., the
Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Diaspora Matters,
founder of BEFFTA, Dr. Pauline long amongst several other leaders
from the African Diaspora community. African beauty queens: Miss
Africa UK, Miss Pride of Africa UK, were also in attendance to add
glamour to the evening.
Dr Alistair Soyode, Founder, Ben TV, Her Excellency Mrs. Carolyn Onyebuchi-Adelakun, Miss Africa, Otunba Ade Adeshina & Yeye Dianne MartinsAbout NDDIS:
The Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit is the foremost
Nigerian business organisation established in the UK to support the
business class of Nigerians in the Diaspora, other international
business leaders and companies that are keen to expand their
investment portfolio into Nigeria or to the UK. It was set up to
bridge the gap between Nigerians in the Diaspora and their
homeland. It was also set up to provide opportunities for the
identification of potential markets, sources of Finance, Technology
and Technical skills that could boost the promotion and stimulation
of enterprise and the creation of growth and jobs in wider
Nigeria. NDDIS summits have been attended by business
delegates from Nigeria, the Diaspora, UK, European and other
international business leaders and companies, investors, vendors,
manufacturers, project owners, technology companies, funders etc
on one hand and private sector led CEOS, public officials,
(governors, Ministers, commissioners, Director Generals and
Permanent Secretaries) from Nigeria on the other.
About Air Peace:
Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace was founded in 2013 by Nigerian
lawyer and businessman Allen Onyema. Dr Onyema says that he
started the airline with the intention of using it as an engine to
provide economic opportunities for Nigerian youths. Air Peace is
committed to easing Nigerians’ burden of travel by providing
affordable, direct flight services. With the launch of its direct flights
to the UK, Air Peace is set to redefine international travel for
Nigerians, offering unparalleled service and Connectivity.
Press statement by: NDDIS Media Team
Doyin Ola (Media Manager)
Maureen Layokun (Asst Manager)
