• The House of Reps said it will honour Allen Onyeama, chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Peace Airlines for his patriotism.

  • Onyeama had offered to airlift Nigerians endangered in South Africa over xenophobic attacks back to Nigeria

  • At least 187 have been brought home while more are scheduled to return this week The House of Representatives says it will honour Allen Onyeama, chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Peace Airlines, for the patriotic role he played in airlifting Nigerians facing xenophobic attacks in South Africa back home at no cost.

The speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the lower legislative chamber has invited Onyeama to appear before it on Wednesday, September 18.

The Cable reports said Nigeria owed Onyeama for his act of patriotism. Recall that many Nigerians and other foreign nationals were attacked by South Africans in a spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Air Peace offered to evacuate those willing to return at no cost. At least 187 have been brought home while more are scheduled to return this week. “He acted without consideration of cost, of tribe or personal interest. He acted in the best traditions of patriotism and love of country. “He has been invited; I thought that the people’s house should commend him. So he will be here tomorrow for us to commend him on behalf of Nigerians,” Gbajabiamila said. The speaker, however, chided the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, for failing to honour an invitation to brief them on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. He said: “The minister has been asked on several occasions since this incident broke, both by the foreign affairs committee and by the leadership of the house, for a full briefing on what transpired to enable us address the issue properly.

“But it is unfortunate that the minister has not responded to the invitation, and even when the committee chairman wrote on behalf of the leadership of the house, he still did not respond. “I believe we are one government and are here to serve the Interest of Nigerians. So, I want to use this platform to send a direct message to the minister that he needs to respect the invitation of the committee of the house.” He added that he will discuss the issue with President.

Source: Legit

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