United Nigeria Airlines’s inaugural flight to Sokoto historic, says Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has described the inaugural flight of United Nigeria Airline (UNA) as historic, saying it is the first time that he and the state governor, Aliyu Sokoto, would ever be on the inaugural flight of any airline.

The traditional ruler and the governor joined UNA’s inaugural flight to Sokoto from Abuja on Wednesday onboard its Airbus A320-200 aircraft after which he received the airline’s team led by its chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, at his palace.

Speaking during the courtesy visit, the Sultan expressed joy at the decision of the airline to commence Sokoto operations, revealing that he has known Prof. Okonkwo for many years and when he wanted to start the airline, he informed him (the Sultan) and received his blessings.

He promised that the palace would support the airline in any way possible to succeed in its operations to the state and anywhere else. He regretted the aviation industry in Nigeria was faced with enormous challenges and commended the airline for weathering the storm. According to the Sultan, the plan to link Abuja with Sokoto started about eight months ago and expressed delight that the dream had become a reality.

He said: “United Nigeria Airlines is most welcome to fly to Sokoto. Obiora told me about this plan eight months ago. I am happy that it has become a reality today. We need to open Sokoto to more airlines and connect more routes from here.

“The business environment is very tight in Nigeria and you have to be strong to remain in business and I know Okonkwo is very strong, having been in politics and I know that the experience he gathered there will spur him on. This is the first time I am flying with any inaugural flight in this country and you did this. If there are challenges you are facing in the sector, please feel free to tell me. May you continue to fly higher, successfully and safety.”

After the visit to the Sultan’s palace, Prof. Okonkwo led his team to the government house where the governor received him. While speaking, the governor revealed that he has to suspend all his official engagements in Abuja to receive the airline’s management team.

He lauded the airline for the commencement of the route and requested that it connect Sokoto and Kano, saying that the two states are key to the business development of the country.

The governor further explained that the airline was the first to commence direct routes from Abuja to Sokoto since he was sworn in as the governor of the state over six months ago. The governor promised to provide a good business environment for the airline to thrive, maintaining that aviation was a catalyst for the economic growth of any nation.

“Air transportation holds the key to economic growth in any country and you are the first airline that has shown interest in visiting the state since I assumed office. I want to request that you open the Sokoto-Kano route which will enhance the development of our state,” the governor said.

While responding, Okonkwo said that Sokoto is a significant marketplace for the airline and promised that it would continue to serve it well. He promised that the airline would live up to its mantra of uniting all Nigerians irrespective of their state in the country.

“I have only heard one request and that is for us to consider flying from Sokoto to Kano. There is no doubt that the governor means we’ll, and he said he will give us all the support we need. I want to assure you that we will be starting that route very soon,” he said.

The airline also commenced its Kano route on Wednesday following that of Benin which took place on Tuesday.