Victor EzejaChairman of Air Peace, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, Dr Allen Onyema, has charged Nigerians to support local businesses to boost the country’s economy.
The Air Peace boss also urged Nigerians to embrace peace and shun violence even in the face of the daunting challenges facing the nation.
Onyema, who made the call on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards, stressed the importance of patronising and supporting local businesses as a means of accelerating the economic development of the country.
He said Nigerians have to “support their own” to thrive instead of engaging in activities that frustrate such businesses.
Onyema warned that the economy would continue to suffer greatly if Nigerians continued to embrace foreign companies at the expense of indigenous brands. He called on his fellow countrymen to instill the spirit of broad nationalism and fend off feelings of ethnic and religious nationalism.
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Onyema emphasized that supporting Nigerian businesses is an act of patriotism and that it should become common practice for all Nigerians. He cited the recent nationalistic initiative by Air Peace to lower fares for its London service in an effort to lessen the burden of air travel for Nigerians on the UK route, and how this move forced the foreign competition on the same route to lower their fares.
Similarly, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, CEO, Silverbird Group, called on Nigerians to support Air Peace and other local businesses as the country cannot develop its economy sustainably without patronising and growing local businesses.
Onyema, who acknowledged the economic doldrums that Nigeria is currently battling with, implored Nigerians to support the Tinubu government and give him some time to stabilise the economy.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
