First Green White Resource Centre (FGWRC), organisers of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, has announced Air Peace as the recipient of its Outstanding Corporate Citizen of the Decade Award on Excellence, Patriotism and Best Quality Service.
The airline will receive the award at the fifth edition of the event scheduled for November 10 as part of a Strategic Townhall with the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potentials: Pathways to Sustainable Investment.” GeographicReference
Founder and Facilitator of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, announced the award in a statement on Friday.
He said Air Peace was selected in recognition of what the organisers described as its corporate leadership, investment in national development, service delivery, employment creation, empowerment initiatives and contributions to Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Melah said the airline would be honoured alongside the TY Danjuma Foundation, the Nigerian Communications Commission and other recipients.
He said the awards seek to recognise individuals, companies, government agencies, ministries, diplomatic missions, foundations, charities and other organisations whose activities contribute to Nigeria’s development and the wellbeing of its people.
According to him, Air Peace has distinguished itself through its expansion of its fleet, investment in aviation infrastructure, international route development and various interventions during national and international emergencies.
He cited the airline’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility under construction at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as one of its major investments in the aviation sector.
The project, which covers about 34,000 square metres and includes a 6,200-square-metre hangar, workshops, warehouse and aircraft apron, is expected to increase local aircraft maintenance capacity.
Melah also highlighted Air Peace’s international operations, including its London, Johannesburg, Jeddah and Mumbai routes, as well as its domestic and regional services.
He noted that the airline’s entry into the Lagos-London market in 2024 increased competition on the route and provided Nigerian travellers with another option for international travel. NigeriaTourism Info
The organisers also cited Air Peace’s humanitarian interventions, including its evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa during the 2019 xenophobic attacks, its involvement in the evacuation of Nigerians during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 and its participation in the evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan in 2023.
Melah further pointed to the airline’s involvement in Nigerian sports, including its transportation of the Super Eagles for an international fixture in 2021 and its subsequent reward to the team after its victory.
He said Air Peace had also demonstrated support for members of Nigeria’s security services, citing an occasion when military and police personnel received priority boarding and public recognition for their service.
Melah said the various initiatives formed the basis of the organisers’ decision to recognise Air Peace as a Nigerian corporate citizen deserving of the award.
Other members of the Nigeria’s Pride Awards Organising Committee are former Executive Director/Acting Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr Ahaziah Suleiman, who is Chairman; Hajia Medina Dauda Nadabo, Bureau Coordinator/Programmes Officer, Voice of America, Nigeria, who is Secretary; and Victorson Agbenson, General Manager, Bronze FM Benin, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
