By Ismail Auwal
The management of Air Peace has denied disrespecting the Emir of Kano, Alh Aminu Ado Bayero, contrary to the petition sent to Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by the Emir’s uncle, Alh Isa Sanusi Bayero, seeking for disciplinary action against the airline for what he described as an act of disrespect to the Emir and people of Kano.
The airline while reacting to a complaint letter expressed shock over what it called a deliberate falsehood against the airline and insisted that the airline holds the Emir in the highest regard.
The Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Toyin Olajide (Mrs), said, “Rather than disrespect to the revered Emir of Kano, Air Peace did everything to protect the name and image of the Emir from ridicule by not succumbing to what Isa Bayero wanted us to do.”
Olajide also said contrary to the insinuation that the Emir was disrespected, the Airline even protected the image of the Emir.
“If we had agreed to stop and delay an aircraft, already set to take-off, for another one hour only for the doors to be opened and the Emir to walk in, there would have been a very serious uproar in the media nationwide against both the airline and the Emir. This we pleaded with Isa Bayero to understand but he refused to accept.
“How could Isa Bayero want the Management of Air Peace to stop and delay a fully boarded plane with doors already shut and aircraft already moving while our respected Emir and eight others in his entourage, including Isa Bayero, were still at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos after arriving from Banjul?”
The COO explained that from the telephone log evidence on the phone of the Chairman/CEO, Allen Onyema, Mr. Isa Bayero, called at about 5.52am, at a time he was still sleeping.
She said from the same log, it could be seen that he called him again at 5.59am which obviously woke him up.
The COO added, “On seeing that it was Isa Bayero calling, he took the call. Isa told our Chairman that he and the Emir of Kano had just landed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos from Banjul, Gambia and would be proceeding to Kano same morning.
