Air Peace Boss Dr. Allen Onyema Inaugurates Self-named Edifice At UI

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Air Peace airline, Barr. Allen Onyema, has inaugurated an edifice at the University of Ibadan. The project which was named after him is an ultra-modern guest house with multiple rooms in the University. The commissioning took place on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

At the event which was championed by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), prominent personalities like the Sultan of Sokoto and Chancellor of the University, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Chief John Odigie, Chairman of the University Governing Council, Professor Kayode Adebowale, Vice-chancellor of the University, and other notable people as well as the alumni body, were present during the commissioning.

While Dr. Onyema spoke, he pleaded for more funding for the country’s education system especially for Universities. He said that Nigerians need to be proud of their schools,  “We need to be proud of Nigerian universities. That’s how it was in the good old days. We need to rediscover those days”, he said.

Dr. Onyema who had previously won the University’s Alumnus of the Year Award in 2019, took hold of the opportunity to appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to bring an end to the ongoing strike so that students will go back to their classrooms.

He stated “For the sake of our nation, which is passing through trying times, and for the sake of the wellbeing of our children, ASUU should, please, call off the strike.”

He pleaded that the Federal Government and ASUU should reconcile over the strike for the progress of the country and the welfare of the students.

He used the recent happening as an example, where the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), had to make some sacrifices and suspended their plan of shutting down flights in the country.

He told the academic Union to borrow a leaf out of the airline operators’ book and suspend the strike for the progress of all.

Speaking on employing diversity as a tool for the development of the country’s sectors, he said “Nigeria has the potential. Let’s explore this potential. The bigger Nigeria is, the stronger we should be because there’s strength in diversity.”

He emphasized on the need to give back to the society when you stand on your feet, while encouraging Nigerians to remember their alma mater.

Dr. Onyema also praised Prof. Elsie Adewoye, the President of University’s Alumni body for making the project a reality. He remarked that the likes of Prof Adewoye deserve some recognitions from the Federal Government.

While the President spoke, she recounted how Dr. Onyema won the University’s Alumnus of the Year Award in 2019 and the generous donation he made to the Ransome Kuti Hall, which he stayed in when he was an undergraduate.

Prof Adewoye said  “As we commission this N110 million project today, my joy knows no bounds. Onyema is simply a blessing to humanity, a blessing to Nigeria, a blessing to UI, and no wonder you were rewarded recently with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar admonished the management of the institution to seek for the progress of the school and also applauded Dr. Onyema. He said “Government cannot do it all. We need to come in and help our universities and that’s why what Allen has done is commendable. We’re here to celebrate Allen for this wonderful edifice. Allen, once in a while, come in and see how the guest house is doing. Let’s continue to excel and commit ourselves to excellence.”

The Chairman of the University Governing Council, Chief John Odigie congratulated Dr. Onyema while stating his joy. He said ”Allen, we’re glad to have you as an alumnus of UI. May God bless you. If we come knocking again, please listen to us as we are already looking at having a new Senate facility.”

He prayed that the issues facing the country’s university system would cease.

The Vice-chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commented on the impact of the event. He said “Today’s event is significant and outstanding in many ways. A testimony to the generous heart of Allen Onyema. We stand here today to commission a N110 million building by a worthy alumnus of this institution. No condition makes a true giver unable to give. Barrister onyema has proven this. Even with the harsh realities of the economy, he has been generous. Today, we are witnesses to his generosity”.

The Vice Chancellor also called on the Air Peace Boss to give a thought to putting up  a Centre for Aviation Studies in the University.