In a statement on Tuesday, the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) said the initiative has a very high prospect of viability.
The six South-West Nigerian states have been urged to establish O’odua Airlines dedicated to local and international routes.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) said the initiative has a very high prospect of viability.
The statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi said the O’odua Airline will complement existing private initiatives which will ultimately lead to cuts in air travel costs, job creation and improvement in tourism and agriculture in the region and Nigeria as a whole.
The group said it had already sent letters to the state governors in the region, urging them to embark on the initiative.
It said, “We call on the Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo to begin the process of creating O’odua Airlines. This is of utmost priority.
“There are some 10 million Nigerians living in West Africa among whom are over three million Yoruba people resident in Ivory Coast alone. In Europe and America, the Yoruba and Nigerians have the largest population of black people.
“In the UK alone, there are no fewer than one million Nigerians while in the United States, the figure is even higher. These people use foreign airlines because there are no alternatives.”
The group said the O’odua airline will also boost the transport of agro-products in Nigeria.
The group commended the efforts of Air Peace CEO, Mr Allen Onyema, but added that there are many gaps yet to be filled in the aviation industry.
“Air Peace has made a remarkable move which is commendable, but this is not enough. Other stakeholders should invest in the aviation industry. The Southwest States should team up to establish a regional airline. This will remain a milestone and a significant contribution to solving unemployment and improving tourism in Nigeria and in the South West,” Ajayi said
He observed that since the establishment of Ibom Airlines, the project has continued to thrive. He added that the initiative of the Akwa Ibom State government is a challenge to other state governments in Nigeria.
The group said, “There can be no better time to establish the O’odua Airline. We suggest that Ibadan should be the commercial hub of the O’odua Airline. Five of the Southwest states, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun states have airports.
“With O’odua Airline, the airports will become even more active.”
Ajayi urged the governors to set up a technical committee to look into the matter and work out the modalities without delay.
He said many aviation companies across the world will be anxious to partner with the Southwest states on the project.