On Wednesday, July 19, the Nigerian Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika unveiled the name of Nigeria’s national carrier – Nigeria Air as well as its logo at the Farnborough International Airshow in London. While we’re still trying to get more concrete information surrounding the new development, the half baked launch seems more of a targeted social campaign rather than a proper project blueprint.
This will be a National Carrier that is Private sector-led and driven. It is a business, not a social service. Government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it. The investors will have full responsibility for this – the minister pointed out
Hadi added that the government is currently in talks with Aircraft providers like Airbus and Boeing, stating that all parties involved in the current exchange are still negotiating. He said the Nigerian Government will not own more than 5% (max) of the new National Carrier, which means it will not interfere in the company’s administrative activities. Sounds like the most Nigerian thing to say but fair enough.
All the Contradictions and Opacity that are driving the Grandiose Election Year ‘National Airline’ project are all too OBVIOUS for all to see.
Some have chosen their own optical illusion.
Just know you are entitled to your Joyride but it won’t be by WASTING SCARCE RESOURCES.
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) July 19, 2018
Question: Who makes up the rest 95% of the ‘National Airline’ that you say is for Private Sector?
Minister: We’ve been talking to xxx . We’ve been talking to abc. We’ve been talking to xyz.
I : Haa! Our BLEEDING & LEAN Public Treasury SHALL NOT AGAIN SUFFER HEMORRHAGE. NO!
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) July 20, 2018
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Education and one of the conveners of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has come under attack on social media by Nigerians after she described the $300 million National Air carrier project embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government as a waste, stating that the Airline must fail for the sake of poor Nigerians.
Many Nigerians reacted to her comments on Twitter, describing her statement as ‘unpatriotic’ and ‘biased’ owing to her hatred for the president.
You people are the problem of this nation, Buhari has not started any project other than commissioning those of PDP, now he's doing one and some of you are praying it fails because the Nigeria constitution forbids projects when election is coming 😱
— Check Yourself (@onaiwu_peter) July 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/spiritualfada/status/1020090304282660864?s=21
Madam, just take a chill pill 💊, Nigeria is on her way to success. You were in govt in this nation, you guys didn't do this and many more. We know those who should be complaining. The national carrier will come and stay to the disgrace of naysayers.
— Gabriel Abumere (@gabrielabumere) July 19, 2018
Better wasted on what we will all see and take pride in it than share and steal to invisible political jobber and politicians.
Ma, you have outlived your relevance politically. You forgot you came as a technocrat and a caring mother many voiceless never had, but turn politician— Asiwaju SJ (@sunbebe1) July 20, 2018
Stop this madam, no matter what; never wish evil against your country. Nigeria Air will not fail but succeed even if not by this administration
— Check Yourself (@onaiwu_peter) July 19, 2018
