Dr Obiora Okonkwo
Obiora Okonkwo is the Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines. He tells Iyobosa Uwugiaren why he established the new airline despite the prevailing challenges in the sector. He also talks about his plans for the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra state
Recently United Nigeria Airlines started commercial flights. This took the aviation industry by surprise because of the Covid-19 pandemic. What’s the idea behind the airline?
The United Nigeria Airlines goes into the records as the first post-pandemic creation in the aviation industry in Nigeria. It did not come without hard work. But in all, it is simply by God’s grace. No doubt the industry needs more activities because there is a lot of vacuum. We just simply had to step in to see how to fill the gap, provide service to the nation and also bequeath a legacy. Everything about it is part of our commitment, and zeal, to be part of national development.
I want to know which way Nigeria is heading to.
Almost thirty-eight years after, the questions asked by Sunny Okosun in that song are still relevant. His questions then were in response to rising inflation, inefficiency at individual and national levels, insecurity, indiscipline, corruption, and national geopolitical tension. He argued that government alone should not be blamed for Nigeria s woes as all Nigerians have to share in the blame.
As we enter the year 2021, the question is still “which way Nigeria ooooo?” This year Nigeria is supposed to be celebrating her 61st independence anniversary. Naturally, a man of 61 years old would have had the most active days of his life behind him. If he was a civil servant in Nigeria, he would have retired from active service and likely spend most of his time with his grandchildren. He would either have made it in life or failed in life. This age is not the age of second chances.
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Published 6 February 2021
TONY OKAFOR examines the renewed battle for the Anambra State Government House and the struggle for party tickets by some of the state’s leading politicians
Before the release of the timetable and schedule of activities for the Anambra State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, subtle campaigns to succeed Governor Willy Obiano have become an open affair.
According to the January 19, 2021 INEC timetable, political parties participating in the election are expected to hold their primaries between June 10 and July 21, 2021, while the governorship election is slated to hold on November 6.
As it is to be expected, political party offices which before now were dormant have become a beehive of activities.
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Tony Okafor, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance has denied speculations that the Governor of Anambra State, Willy Obiano, was planning to join the All Progressive Congress.
There have been speculations that Obiano was plotting to dump APGA to join the APC in order to contest the Anambra North Senatorial Election in 2023.
Obiano, who was elected on the platform of APGA in 2014, would complete his constitutionally allowed two terms in office on March 17,2022.
The National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, in a statement, in Awka, on Tuesday said, “Every election season, the disgruntled opposition elements are known for being more desperate and resorting to all manners of blackmail in a condemnable bid to seize power from the ruling party.