A diaspora-based group, The International Watchers, has called on the Federal Government to provide stronger institutional support for indigenous investors, singling out Air Peace Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, as a model of patriotism and national service.
Chairman of the group, Dr Olusegun Adebola, who made the call in a statement, said Onyema embodies the principle popularised by former United States President John F. Kennedy, urging citizens to prioritise what they can do for their country.
Dr Adebola noted that Onyema’s investments in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly through Air Peace, have helped break what he described as the long-standing monopoly of foreign airlines, which had limited options for Nigerian travellers and contributed to high fares.
He stressed that despite Onyema’s proven commitment to Nigeria and his sustained efforts to position Air Peace as a competitive international carrier, successive administrations had done little to incentivise such contributions.
According to him, incentives for local investors like Air Peace are critical, especially for a company that has broken the monopoly of international airlines and created alternatives for Nigerians.
The group further emphasised the need for government to recognise and reward Nigerians in the diaspora for their remittances and broader contributions to national development, warning that failure to support such stakeholders could discourage future investments.
Adebola added that Nigeria must reciprocate Onyema’s consistent goodwill towards the country, noting that his interventions go beyond business interests and reflect a deeper commitment to national growth.
Beyond his aviation exploits, the group highlighted Onyema’s role in promoting national unity and patriotism, noting that his humanitarian efforts are often framed as initiatives aimed at fostering cohesion across ethnic and religious divides.
They explained that this ideological stance adds a socio-political dimension to his interventions, positioning him not just as a business leader but as a contributor to nation-building and civic responsibility.
The statement also recalled Onyema’s earlier involvement in peace advocacy in the Niger Delta, where he contributed to dialogue and stability efforts during periods of militancy. According to the group, this background underscores a long-standing personal philosophy centred on peacebuilding and national development.
International Watchers further observed that Onyema’s humanitarian aviation interventions have helped strengthen Nigeria’s global image, presenting the country as capable, compassionate, and responsive in times of crisis.
They noted that such contributions align with soft power strategies typically driven by governments but, in this case, are being advanced by a private individual, thereby reinforcing the role of non-state actors in national development.
The group concluded that Onyema’s consistent pattern of rapid humanitarian response, financial sacrifice, and nationalistic motivation provides a strong example of corporate citizenship, urging policymakers to create an enabling environment for similar initiatives to thrive.
