Akwa Ibom State has kicked off activities marking its 39th anniversary with the official reception of a brand-new Airbus A220-300 for Ibom Air, signalling another major step in the state’s aviation and tourism development drive.
The aircraft which arrived from Maastricht, Netherlands, at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, was recieved by Governor Umo Eno leading the Senate President, dignitaries and stakeholders in a Water Cannon Ceremony to mark its arrival.
Eno attributed the direct arrival of the aircraft to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the airport’s international status, expressing appreciation to the President and the Minister of Aviation, Chief Festus Keyamo.
“Permit me to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his kind approval, through the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Chief Festus Keyamo SAN CON, of the status of the Victor Attah International Airport as an international airport. That is why this aircraft has flown directly from Maastricht to Uyo this afternoon. In the past, it used to be from anywhere, Lagos or Abuja, spent two, three days to do documentation before flying to Uyo.”
The Governor while highlighting the state’s investment in Ibom Air and deliberate development of indigenous aviation professionals described the anniversary as a month of gratitude.
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“We celebrate our 39th year as a state and it’s a month of gratitude,” Eno said.
He disclosed that 14 of Ibom Air’s 30 pilots are indigenes of Akwa Ibom trained by the state government, while 16 of its 40 aircraft engineers are also from the state.
Eno added that 10 indigenes were undergoing training at the Nigerian College of Aviation, Zaria, while another 10 cadet pilots were training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Governor said Ibom Air and the wider aviation ecosystem had created about 2,000 direct jobs, saying that the airline remained central to the state’s ambition of becoming a tourism hub.
He said the state’s existing order for 10 aircraft would see seven more delivered after the latest addition.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, commended the state’s development trajectory, declaring: “Akwa Ibom is showing an example to Nigeria. Example in unity, example in development, example in progress.”
Akpabio also pledged collaboration with the state government, saying: “I have made up my mind as a good student of history that as Senate President, instead of fighting, I will collaborate with my state. I will join hands with the Governor to continue to make this state prosper.”
Ibom Air Chief Pilot Captain Rose Adebanwo said the A220-300’s advanced technology, fuel-efficient engines, reduced emissions and noise, range and passenger comfort would strengthen Ibom Air’s operations.
“We are all proud to welcome this aircraft home and ready to take Ibom Air even higher Thank you and God bless Ibom Air, God bless Akwa Ibom state,” she said.
The Airbus reception marks the beginning of a month-long programme of activities to commemorate Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary, with 39 landmark projects scheduled for commissioning across the state.
