Air Peace boss, Allen Onyeama on Wednesday told the House of Representatives that the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa brought respect to Nigeria across the world.
Onyema said this when he appeared before the green chamber, saying South Africa is also paying the prize for the xenophobic attacks by its citizens.
According to him, flights are now going to South Africa empty and stocks in the country are crashing.
The Air Peace boss said the pressure on South Africa forced the country to apologize to Nigeria and other African countries.
“It wouldn’t have happened if the evacuation hadn’t taken place,” he said adding that xenophobia will die a natural death soon in South Africa.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier extended the commendation of the House of Representatives to the Chairman of Air Peace for offering free air services to the Federal Government in the evacuation of Nigerians under xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“We hereby commend Mr Allen Onyema and recommend him to the Federal Government for higher honours in Nigeria,” he said.
The lawmakers gave Onyema a standing ovation when called upon to address them.
“You have brought tears to my eyes again. I have never been so honoured in my life,” Onyema said in the opening of his speech.
“I did not do it spontaneously, nor did I do it for publicity, I had to mortgage my landing right in south Africa, because I just got the landing right before the crisis,” he said.
“I did not give a damn, I never did, because I know that I will not go to heaven with any dime.
“I have never been so honoured in my life. You have brought tears to my eyes. I would not have been able to do this if the federal government did not allow me or assemble those people for me to evacuate.”
cpcnews.org 