First Nigerian pilot, Capt. Bob Hayes has said liquidating the former national carrier, the Nigeria Airways, was a sad moment for him and other workers of the defunct national carrier.
He, however, said the move to set up a new national carrier by the Federal Government was a commendable move, saying Nigeria deserves a national carrier as a giant of Africa.
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The 87-year old Benin Born aviator spoke with newsmen during a reception in his honour hosted by a former engineer with the Nigeria Airways, Chief Anselm Kayode Mohammed, at the weekend.
The reception brought together several senior citizens who were former staff of the Nigeria Airways.
He stated that the industry is making progress and predicted a better future while commending the host for the honour done to him.
Hayes said, “I never expected this but I thank the good Lord that this opportunity has come and I hope it is the beginning of many good things. I think the industry is making some very good tremendous progress and I believe there is a lot of future in aviation and I am glad that I was part of it in the early days and of course I was able to monitor the progress of the industry. Hopefully there are better days in the industry.”
According to him, the plan by the federal government to establish another carrier named, Nigeria Air, was “commendable.”
He said, “We were very sad when we lost Nigeria Airways. But now that it is being proposed to set up a new airline, I think this is one of the best things that will happen to the country.
“Most countries in Africa now have national carrier and I think it is about time Nigeria, the biggest country in black Africa, should of course take its lead in the comity of nations in this industry. Nigeria deserves that and I am looking forward to that.”
Former Minister of Aviation and one-time Managing Director of the Nigeria Airways, Chief Anthony Okpere, also reiterated that Nigeria Airways shouldn’t have died.
“When Nigeria Airways was sold off, all the workers were left in the lurch, a lot of them were not paid, some died before the Buhari’s administration came to pay.
“I believe it was wrong. Now in floating a new airline, I don’t know the politics behind it, I don’t know the consultation they made.
They have started a new one but how far they would go, I don’t know,” he said.
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