Thread by @uchediala

#NigeriaAir
Surely, They Do Not Know What They Are Saying ...

📌 They say the Aircraft belongs to Ethiopian Airline.

Well, Ethiopian Airline has majority ownership of Nigeria Air (49%). Nigeria Air is one of its subsidiaries. So why not? What is the issue there?

📌 They say it is an "old aircraft". Then they say the aircraft is 10 years old.

I ask: How is a 10 year old aircraft an "old aircraft"? What is the lifetime of an average Boeing aircraft? It has a lifespan of around 35 years or 90,000 flight hours. So what are they saying?

📌 They say why a small country like Ethiopia & Ethiopian Airline?

I laugh. It is not by size. Ethiopian Airline is 77 years in operation this year. How old is Nigeria as a nation itself? It is not an excuse, but it is the truth.
So what is their point?

📌 They say Buhari brought in one aircraft in 8 years.

How ridiculous. This is a meticulous & painstaking process, if we mean to get it right. If it were all about procurement, the govt would go & order brand new Boeing planes. Then what? It fails again & we start lamenting.

Many airlines started with one aircraft or leased aircrafts.

The important thing is that we have started finally.

By the way, how many did we acquire in 30 years?

📌 They say 'why now'?

I say; why not now? The Buhari administration over these years has done the hard work, crossed the Ts and dotted the Is on this national carrier project.

So why not launch it and take the credit for a good job done? Why deny it the credit?

These are some of those making noise over promises made by Buhari. This is one of the promises being fulfilled for our collective good, and they are pained. Indeed they're pain over any good thing. Why?

Can we get serious, sincere & realistic as Nigerians about Nigeria, please!

Nigeria Air is a private sector based venture in which the Nigerian govt has only 5% ownership making it immune from undue govt interference. BTW, the Canadian govt owns 6% share in Canada Air. The British government owns 0% share in BA. Where have we gone wrong in our own case?

With an initial investment of $300M and better ownership, management and corporate governance structure, there is sure hope that Nigeria Air will be a success. That is the only reason I am excited about this. If it were a government thing, I would not even bat an eyelid.

Fellow Nigerians, it is okay to be pessimistic, but when we are confronted with lucid facts, the best we can do is keep calm and hope for the best for our dear nation.

That is, if we truly mean well for Nigeria.

#MayNigeriaAirSucceed
#GodBlessNigeria