KEY POINTS

• Otti unveiled two United Nigeria Airlines Boeing 737-800NG jets named after Chinua Achebe and Igwe Alfred Achebe.
• He praised the airline and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo for boosting private-sector participation.
• He said the Abia Airport runway has reached an advanced stage of construction.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Thursday unveiled two newly acquired Boeing 737-800NG aircraft belonging to United Nigeria Airlines, named after the late literary icon and author of Things Fall Apart, Professor Chinua Achebe, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe. The unveiling took place at Nesto Aviation Services near the local airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

A tribute to two icons

Speaking at the event, Otti commended the Chairman and Founder of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, for honoring distinguished Nigerians through the gesture. “For remembering to honour our people, you will be honoured,” the governor said. Moreover, he praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for promoting private-sector participation, noting that the government once viewed itself as competing with private businesses.

In his remarks, Okonkwo said the acquisition reflected growing confidence in the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry, driven by ongoing reforms. According to him, the airline named one jet after Chinua Achebe in recognition of his global literary legacy, while it named the other after Igwe Alfred Achebe in honor of his traditional leadership, corporate accomplishments and contributions to national development. Furthermore, Igwe Achebe described the recognition as humbling and meaningful, and he reflected on his relationship with the late writer.

Aviation reforms and the Abia Airport

Otti also welcomed the move to establish an aircraft leasing company, saying it would strengthen local airlines. “What you have done is to help local airlines operate under the strong support of the government,” he said. In addition, he thanked Keyamo for backing the Abia Airport project and revealed that work on the runway had reached an advanced stage. Consequently, he reaffirmed Abia’s readiness to serve as a hub for United Nigeria Airlines.

Earlier, Keyamo outlined the Federal Government’s aviation reform agenda, emphasizing dialogue and collaboration with industry stakeholders. According to him, the original proposal was for an airstrip, but Otti met President Bola Tinubu and pushed for a full airport, promising counterpart funding to upgrade the project.

Finally, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, expressed confidence that United Nigeria Airlines was on course to become one of the largest carriers in West Africa. Ultimately, the ceremony tied corporate ambition to cultural pride, as the airline turned two new jets into flying tributes to figures who shaped Nigeria’s literary and traditional heritage.