NigerianYouths Commend Air Peace Boss for US Training

Arewa, Oodua and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) youths have commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema for funding their two-part nonviolence and peace training in Lagos and the United States of America, describing him as God’s gift to Nigeria.

The youths, who made the commendation at the end of their two-week nonviolence training at the Emory Center for Advancing Nonviolence, Emory University, USA, urged other well-to-do Nigerians to emulate Onyema’s patriotism and selflessness to guarantee peace, unity and development in the country.

Onyema’s non-governmental organisation, The Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN) had mobilised about 50 youths from the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Arewa Youths and IPOB to Lagos for the Level 1 Nonviolence Training and Conflict Management Programme.

The one-week training conducted by a former aide of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Benard Lafayette and his team of nonviolence experts from America, held in September 2017 after the Air Peace boss embarked on a peace mission to IPOB and Arewa groups in the heat of the October 1 quit notice Arewa youths issued Igbo living in North.

Onyema had said the training was part of his contribution to the quest for unity and ethnic harmony in Nigeria, promising to send the participants for the Level 2 Nonviolence Pro- gramme at the Emory Center for Advancing Nonviolence, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA to equip them with the necessary skills to campaign for peace in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the participants at the end of their two-week training at Emory University in the US, leader of Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (ATEI), Mohammed Danjuma said: “In every generation there are a handful of people who are defined as a gift to their nation; people who positively impact their generation directly or indirectly through selfless acts of generosity and a magnanimous penchant for peace. Barr. Allen Onyema fits that particular set of gifted individuals for this current generation.” With the acquisition of new helicopters and winning the highly coveted contract as the preferred air shuttle provider for the NNPC/ Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture, Caverton Helicopter has risen from the fringes to become dominant player in oil and gas services, eclipsing its rivals through efficient performance and enviable safety record.

The oil and gas air shuttle service was a terrain dominated by foreign organisations in the past, which only gave its Nigerian personnel nominal roles to play, but Caverton has spearheaded the local content policy in the sub-sector by recruiting and training indigenous personnel to become highly skilled in helicopter operation and sundry services.

Last week the company feted major stakeholders in the finance, oil and gas and aviation sectors as it unveiled its fleet of Bell Helicopters at its operational base at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

In his speech, the Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Remi Makanjuola said the unveiling of Caverton fleet of helicopters is a feat that Nigerians should be proud of, describing the achievement as ground breaking event.

“Over the past few years, we went through many phases of development as a company in less than favourable circumstances. Nevertheless, we have been able to operate existing contracts successfully, as well as secure a few new contracts.

He said the largest and most significant of these new contracts is the NNPC-Chevron Joint Venture Helicopter Services Contract.

“It is of course the reason we are here today to unveil the helicopters that would be used for that activity. We are recording some success in our desire to be a financially strong and sustainable Group that puts all stakeholders at the heart of everything. Our safety record is something we are proud and thankful for, and credit must go to our professionalism at all levels. Given Chevron’s global reputation for safety and quality, it is safe to say that Caverton’s diligent attention to safety, quality and continuous improvement contributed in no small measure to the contract award.

“The addition of these helicopters to our fleet will make Caverton Helicopters one of the largest operators of Bell products in sub-Saharan Africa. As a fully indigenous player in the hitherto foreign interest dominated sector, Caverton has confirmed the mantra that Nigerians can excel and do Nigeria proud in all facets of the economy given the opportunity. Caverton is fast tracking the national content policy by ensuring that more Nigerians are trained and given the pride of place in recruitment into highly technical management positions”, he said.

Makanjuola explained that for Caverton to diversify its business activities, the management is building a maintenance, repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos, which would become operational in early 2019.

“Once completed, all the helicopters in our fleet as well as aircraft from third party operators will be maintained in the country, thus saving time and foreign exchange. Showcasing our newly acquired fleet of Bell Helicopters attests to proactive drive to successfully grow our business in the long term,” he said.

In his address, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru said Caverton achieved a milestone and credited it to the power of vision of the company’s Chairman Mr. Remi Makanjuola.

“I have followed the company since inception, since Mr. Makanjuola conceived the idea of going into aviation logistics. I commend him for his foresight and tenacity for putting non-existent entity company to become a conglomerate and now become a global brand. The contribution of Caverton Helicopter’s to aviation cannot be over-emphasised as the company has filled a vacuum. I am proud of the company’s safety status even as an indigenous company. It has proven that commitment, tenacity of purpose has helped the oil and gas company through its services. We will continue to support local companies as Caverton continues to raise the bar to become a household name globally,” Baru said.

In his speech, Director, NNPC/CNL JV, Mr. Monday Ovuede said Caverton’s launching of 11 Helicopters marked an expansion of the company in Nigeria, the manifestation of its resilience to ensure that aviation industry becomes highly rated.

In his address, Managing Director, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bell Helicopters, David Sale thanked Caverton on behalf of 8,000 Bell employees of the company scattered all over the world, saying Caverton has given them the opportunity to provide this service to a Nigerian company.

Also in a speech, the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe said he was happy to be part of success story of Caverton Helicopters.

“I am proud to be part of this company from inception and watch it blossom. Before Caverton came in, the sector was dominated by foreign companies but Caverton came in and changed the airspace when no one believed that a Nigerian company could have the technical know-how. And the success story is there for everyone to see. I am proud to partner with Caverton. We are happy to change the narrative that Nigerians can provide a world class service company. We hope that in the next 50 years, we will continue to work with Caverton as it progresses because there is great future in this great enterprise.”

In his contribution, the United States Consul General, Mr. John Bray commended Caverton and Bell Helicopters for successfully launching the brand new fleet of helicopters, which he said is a reliable piece of equipment that could withstand any weather and climate.

“I am happy to see US company blossom in Nigeria supporting local aviation industry. We are very proud of Caverton and particularly pleased with the local engineers.”

The CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said he was very pleased with the company since its partnership with the Exchange began in 2014 when it was listed.