₦airaland Forum

Oyebanji makes history as first commercial flight lands at Ekiti Airport

…Says Over N49 Billion Expended on Airport Project

… Former Ekiti governors, Senate leader on board the maiden flight

History was made in Ekiti on Wednesday as Governor, Biodun Oyebanji led other dignitaries to receive the first commercial flight at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, in Ado Ekiti, describing the project as a major milestone in the state’s quest for economic growth and enhanced connectivity.

The United Nigeria aircraft with registration number 5N-BWY and about 50 passengers on board, arrived the airport at about 11:09 am and departed at 12.00 noon for Lagos.

Dignitaries on board the first commercial flight include Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; three former Governors of the State- Dr Kayode Fayemi, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Dr Ayodele Fayose. Also on board were members of the National Assembly from Ekiti State; Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof Obiora Okonkwo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Yakubu Adam, and a former minister of Aviation, Mr Babatola among others.

They were received by Governor Oyebanji; his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; former Governor Segun Oni; Technical Advisor on Airport Project, AVM Sunday Makinde (rtd) and other state officials.

Speaking during the historic event, Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed that over N49 billion was expended on the execution of the project, noted that the investment reflected the state government’s commitment to critical infrastructure that would stimulate development, attract investors and create jobs for the people of the state.

Governor Oyebanji said the airport was strategically designed to support the export of agro-produce, boost value chains and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers, the Governor said the airport would also open Ekiti to global opportunities, particularly in agriculture, commerce and tourism.

Commending his predecessors for their efforts at birthing the airport, particularly Governor Kayode Fayemi who laid the foundation, and took the project to a substantial level, Oyebanji said the completion of the project underscored the gains of continuity in governance.

The Governor, also commended members of the National Assembly from the State for their support towards the actualization of the project, assured that his government would put in place necessary institutional framework and partnership to ensure optimal utilization and sustainability of the project.

While expressing his deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose economic reforms freed resources to sub-national and made such project possible for the development of the state, the Governor also thanked the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) for his selflessness, generosity and unflinching support to the airport project.

The Governor commended Chief Afe Babalola for the donation of navigational aids (CVOR/DME) and control tower equipment worth $1.6 million and the construction of 100-cars capacity car park, at the cost of N356 million

The Governor also appreciate the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN for his relentless support and encouragement in ensuring the completion of this Airport, as well as United Nigeria Airlines for accepting to partner the state.

The Governor charged Ekiti people, particularly the entrepreneurs, investors, farmers and young professionals to the airport to expand their business, access new markets and create wealth, stressing that improved air transport would accelerate trade, tourism and overall economic prosperity in the state.

“This moment is not just the official opening of the airport to commercial passenger operations; it is the launch of a new chapter in our transportation infrastructure development journey. Beyond infrastructural mileage however, this latest achievement is another quintessential testimony to our commitment to the shared vision of a modern, prosperous and forward looking State of our dream.

“The making of this airport is a collective legacy of at least, three Governors before me - Engineer Segun Oni who first conceived the idea, Governor Ayo Fayose who acquired and initially cleared the site and Dr Kayode Fayemi, who, despite all odds, braved the wind of challenges to commence the building of this airport six years ago. Today’s event is therefore an applause to our collective determination. I must however, specially thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his strong support that enables us to finance this project to completion, my immediate predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for his relentless courage and determination and Aare Afe Babalola for his huge financial and moral support. Without this trio, this project would have remained a pipe dream.

“In all, a total sum of Forty-Nine Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Four Naira and Sixty-One Kobo (N49,774,980,974.61) has been expended directly by the Ekiti State Government. We have had to travel long distances facing high costs and risks before reaching the markets that could benefit us and benefit from us. Today, that challenge is turning into an opportunity with the commencement of commercial flight operations from Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.

“With this airport, we are bringing the markets closer to our people and the world closer to Ekiti. I therefore urge our people to seize the opportunities that air connectivity brings and tap into the unimaginable economic potential that the aviation sector can bring about”. The Governor stated.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, described the event as historic, adding that the event was not just a takeoff of commercial flights at the airport but beginning of new possibilities, economic pathways and a new era in the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.

The Aviation Minister commended Governor Oyebanji for his exceptional leadership, said the airport would bring about opportunities which include enhanced agricultural capability for farmers, create new market for entrepreneurs and investment opportunities for the citizens, among others.

In their separate goodwill messages, former Governors Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, Ayo Fayose and Niyi Adebayo as well as the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele went down memory lane to highlight their individual efforts towards the completion of the project as they expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for completing the project successfully.

Renowned Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola(SAN) commended Governor Oyebanji for his passion for the project which led to its completion.

The Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ekiti state for believing and making United Nigeria airline of first choice as he assured residents of Ekiti that the airline will guarantee provision of excellent services adding that the airline is already working out plan to make sure that passengers can fly directly from Ekiti to other state capitals aside Lagos and Abuja.

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While the commencement of commercial flights at Ekiti Airport marks a significant step, true history making is not just about landing the first plane but about diligently keeping the promises made to sustain and grow this initiative it is too early to claim historical success without first observing the tangible progress and long term benefits from this project. Additionally, airport development should be recognized beyond agricultural advantages, as its core includes enhancing connectivity for people, facilitating travel, and unlocking broader economic and social opportunities for the region.

People when never see money take bus to lagos

Politicians are your first passengers? Just like Ebonyi airport, many Nigerian airports are not profitable.

This is beautiful. Congratulations to Ekiti people.

How many times are they going to receive first airline, it's not a history. Just recycling process and wasting public funds.

sheedy407:
People when never see money take bus to lagos

FYI.. flights were fully booked by the travelers before the event sef

Ekiti Airport and Ebonyi Airport would be competing for an Airport with the lowest passenger traffic. The airport is just there to service politicians and high networth individuals.

Joshintua:
How many times are they going to receive first airline, it's not a history. Just recycling process and wasting public funds.

Is it your Public funds.. how is that one concern you??

Nice job me governor!
Keep doing the good job for the people of ekiti state

Focusmind:
Ekiti Airport and Ebonyi Airport would be competing for an Airport with the lowest passenger traffic. The airport is just there to service politicians and high networth individuals.

Focus on your life okayy.

They have done this over a thousand times

Only Osun state,out of the six south west states, is yet to have airport. Osun people, una dey fall our hands for Yoruba land o!

SpaceX:
They have done this over a thousand times

You are not current with information.

If you cannot and did not criticize the moribond and still birth airport at bush clearing stage in Isiala Ngwa, please to wail on this thread.

Mushroom prof of Economics, Mr Vitalis, where art thou?

Arrange flight, you'll not see any landing their tomorrow because that route is not viable and on top of that they paid heavily for those involved

lilsmart:
While the commencement of commercial flights at Ekiti Airport marks a significant step, true history making is not just about landing the first plane but about diligently keeping the promises made to sustain and grow this initiative it is too early to claim historical success without first observing the tangible progress and long term benefits from this project. Additionally, airport development should be recognized beyond agricultural advantages, as its core includes enhancing connectivity for people, facilitating travel, and unlocking broader economic and social opportunities for the region.

You still had to consult AI to give your opinion?

Pessimistic ignoramus

MrGerald:
Arrange flight, you'll not see any landing their tomorrow because that route is not viable and on top of that they paid heavily for those involved

Please update us when the first ten flights land.

I don't need ai for my field of study. Try go school

Luckysbab:
You still had to consult AI to give your opinion?

Congratulations to the trailblazer. Aerospace is being extended

While I commend the governor and felicitate with Ekiti state people. I strongly believe that, the presented project isn’t what Ekiti people need right now. When a state is more industrialized and has market expansion, then we can be talking about Air logistics. How will this contribute to the growth of Ekiti? What is the ROI of this project. How many people take flight in Ondo and kwara which shares boarder with Ekiti, not to talk of Ekiti itself. This project is a good business at the wrong time.

IAM4BAT4plus4:
Some bitter people will still condemn it!






Dem fit call the aircraft EKUKE





UP SOUTHWEST! UP NIGERIA 🇳🇬 AS A WHOLE!




I'M NOT TALKING TO THE GORILLAS 🦍 WHO CALL THEIR COUNTRY A ZOO!


BOLA TINUBU ma ṣe èèkan sí lágbára Olohun

True talk bro,Bola Ahmed go do eight years and nothing will happen.Carry on baba

Tell us where you come from? Make we check if Una don eat 3 square meals

sheedy407:
People when never see money take bus to lagos

IAM4BAT4plus4:
Some bitter people will still condemn it!






Dem fit call the aircraft EKUKE





UP SOUTHWEST! UP NIGERIA 🇳🇬 AS A WHOLE!




I'M NOT TALKING TO THE GORILLAS 🦍 WHO CALL THEIR COUNTRY A ZOO!


BOLA TINUBU ma ṣe èèkan sí lágbára Olohun

U no get shame. Na now commercial flight dey land Ekiti. You well so?

WASTED MONEY. THIS AIRPORT IS NOT NECESSARY. EKITI NEEDS RAILS.

How's this a commercial flight, this is a celebratory flight with passengers from the political sphere. How many people can even afford to board ordinary AC -buses in the south west and Ekiti in particular. The economic power just isn't there and I know the governor only built this for him, him family and a select few that might be able to charter PVs down to Ekiti or own one

Who in heavens name is flying into Ekiti?

When older, more established airports in Akure and Benin are almost moribund and barely chugging along?

These people use airports to steal money.

Like that face cap wearing, golden microphone totting, fake professor in engineering, Dave Umahi did in Ebonyi.


On Sunday's, that airport is used by various churches and fellowships, for services.

A total waste of money

Another white elephant airport.

What is even more annoying is that Ondo which is next door already has its own airport, which is heavily underutilized.

Just a proprosterous waste of resources.

It's waste of public fund, Airport in Akure, Ondo State is less than 30 minutes from Ekiti.
The Airport in Akure, Ondo State is under utilised, I don't understand why Ekiti State should fund another Airport when people travel from Osogbo, Osun State (2hours) to board in Akure.
Ekiti State should have focus on Farming.
Airport is not competition

49billion Airport when Ondo that is close by is not functioning. Airport that redeem and oyedepo will soon rent for Sunday service