On Wednesday 20th February 2019, Akwa Ibom state booked her place in world's record as the first state in Nigeria to lunch her own airline, Ibom Air, almost 116 years after the first air flight was made on December 17, 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina by Orville and Wilbur Wright who made the first successful flight in history which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight.
The interposition of the above histrionics is founded on the fact that not too long ago, the APC-led Federal Government attempted to relaunch her airline - Air Nigeria but met brick wall due to misdirection, misapplication and mismanagement of resources and ideas. Thus the record breaking achievement of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the aviation sector wouldn't have been news if others states as well as the federal government had invested successfully.
"The lunching of Ibom Air into Nigeria's aviation sector is a great plus not only for Akwa Ibom state but Nigeria" says Nigeria's foremost aviation expert Amadi Jacob who noted that the aviation sector is one of the main drivers behind globalisation - driving the development of the modern world and breaking boundaries cum economic barriers. An airline often culminates to a network of airlines, airports and air traffic management organisations linking major cities and small communities of the world 24 hours a day with increasingly advanced aircraft such as the C-FWNK Ibom Air Bombardier CRJ-900LR (CL-600-2D24).
The benefits of Ibom Air at the this critical stage of revenue deficits in Nigeria is enormous because aviation supports almost 63 million jobs worldwide and enables $2.7 trillion in global GDP. For Ibom Air, its commencement will provide over four hundred jobs and income spread to over one thousand families says Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, Mr. Akan Okon.
Apart from its direct economic benefits to residents and travellers, Ibom Air will allow tourists to have adventures in other states of the federation without disappointments where they hitherto ponder on relaxation spots and tropical beaches. Ibom air will further assist Nigerians build viable business confidence, smoothen relationships and broaden social visit to friends and families.
In a globalized world where events are captured at a glance, Ibom Air will assist Nigeria grow materially, linking interstate economies. How? The incessant air mishaps in Nigeria over the years, has deflated foreign investor's trust and confidence in Nigeria's local airlines but with Ibom Air, that supposition is dead and buried. More investors will now come to Nigeria knowing that they can rely on Ibom Airline to safety lift them to any destination in the country at minimal cost.
More so, with Ibom Air, investors are assured of standard best practice seen in any part of the word as it tends to bring people of diverse background and culture in and outside Nigeria together because of its affordability and reach.
Governor Udom Emmanuel did not just envisage Ibom Air as a means of transportation but a means of bringing together a world of facts and figures to give policymakers and the aviation industry the important global view of how to create jobs and drive the economic of third world countries through air travels.
The appearances of Ibom air is nothing short of benefits beyond borders in comporting a new thesis that aviation can contribute to the economy, create jobs, improve the lives of millions of people around the world thereby contributing to sustainable development.
It is only a wise, focus and intelligent leader like Governor Udom Emmanuel that would drive Nigeria's bid at diversification through air transport at a time when benefits are earned beyond borders. Thus, a vote for Udom on March 9, 2019 means prosperity for Akwa Ibom people.
_Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst_
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