Nigeria`s largest airline, Air Peace, has indicated interest to evacuate Nigerians who are stranded in Sudan. Furthermore, they’re willing to bear the cost of the task amidst the escalating fight in the country. The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema while expressing his willingness, stated that Nigerian students and others stranded in the war-torn nation have urgent “needs for help”.
The Air Peace chairman stated that Nigerians could be moved to a neighbouring country. The airline would then fly there and evacuate them, considering Sudan`s airspace is closed for civil aviation flights.
Reports suggest that the federal government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama had promised to commence evacuation of the stranded Nigerians on Tuesday.
Over 5000 Nigerians, mostly students, have indicated interest to be evacuated. Others however are planning to relocate to Ethiopia.
The Air Peace Chairman who also carried out a similar evacuation of stranded Nigerians in South Africa in 2019 during the Xenophobic attacks, said he is compelled to help because Nigeria cannot afford to lose her citizens in that country.
He said the situation called for immediate action and that the government should not be left alone. A breakdown over the years shows that Nigeria’s total borrowing from the World Bank was $6.67 billion in 2016. It rose to $8.03 billion in 2017, $8.67 billion in 2018 and $10.1 billion in 2019. It was $1.153 billion and $12.38 billion in 2021.
“Again, Air Peace is willing to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge if the government can get them to a safe and secure airport in any of the neighbouring countries bordering Sudan. Everything must not be left to the government and the government alone. It will be a privilege and honour of tremendous pride that we will be out there to give every Nigerian stranded in Sudan a sense of pride and oneness in their country.
“We are very ready to do it immediately. No time wasting. Any action that would promote national pride, national cohesion, peace and unity, we are for it. Again, we have no apologies for believing in our nation and loving the nation despite certain national challenges.
“If they are moved to Kenya or Uganda or any other country, we will move in to get them out. Some parents have started calling on us to help. We are ready to do this again and again”, he said.
cc: Daily Trust Ng
