Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), two ex- Katsina Governors and notable Nigerians on Monday undertook the inaugural flight of the United Nigeria Airlines from Abuja to the North West state.
The historic flight, which took off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja by 3.10pm, landed at the Umar Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina by 4.00pm.
Host Governor Dikko Umar Dikko and top Katsina state government functionaries were at hand to receive the maiden flight, amid jubilation in the tow .
An elated Radda commended the Chairman of the airline and a governorship aspirant in the April 5 APC governorship primary, Prof. Obiora Okonwko for bringing development to the State, maintaining that the entrance of the airline into the route will definitely improve the economic fortune of the State.
According to him: “The commencement of daily flight has shown that the State and the route have grown. We started with a weekly flight and it has grown to a daily. What we are seeing today is the third airline that have join the route to provide services to the people of Katsina State.
With this, we can say that air business has grown to the level we want it and people have options to carry out their businesses because they can come and leave Katsina the same day after finishing their businesses. This has opened businesses and the economy of the State, making investors and other businesses to come to this State.
We want to thank United Nigeria for the speedy response they put this in place and I am happy that we have launched the first flight by the airline and I know that it’s a good development for our economy. We thank you for rendering this business to Katsina and we believe that you will ensure the sustenance of the business, and bring opportunities to our teaming youths,” he said.
Former Governor Bello Masari, who was full of praises to the management of the airline, said: “We are very grateful to United Airlines for coming at this time we have challenges of flying from Katsina to other parts of the country. We also thank those that made it possible for the airline to start operations particularly the chairman who has promised that he will continue
“We appeal to you to depart and arrive on schedule because it gives confidence to the passengers. We hope that the collectivity to Katsina should be all over the country and even outside the country,” he said.
APC National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, also commended Okonkwo for the foresight of the airline in flying that route.
According to him:”On behalf of our National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and the entire NWC of APC, we congratulate the Governor of Katsina State and the management of United Nigeria Airlines for this milestone achievement.
“As we know, mobility is essential to the realisation of economic development particularly on the area of tourism and Katsina is one of the indigenous States in Nigeria and very central to the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“We thank United Nigeria for seeing this as an opportunity and a gap that has to be filled immediately and for acting immediately. We also commend the vision of the Governor of Katsina Umoru Radar for the milestone activities he has recorded. I congratulate the two former governors and their presence shows that there is coerciveness in the State.”
Okonkwo assured the people of the state that the route has come to stay, stressing: “Our happiness and the biggest takeaway is that we are uniting Katsina with the rest of the country. That is our words and what we worked for.
“We thank them for the opportunity .The people of Katsina will enjoy us as long as we remain in business and we are looking forward for the food days,” he said.
