The Chairman of Air, Mr Allen Onyema, has charged Nigerians to support local businesses to boost the country’s economy.
He also urged Nigerians to shun violence and embrace peace even in the face of the daunting challenges facing the country.
Onyema, made the appeal at Silverbird Man of the Year Awards held in Lagos recently.
He stressed the importance of patronising and supporting local businesses as a means of accelerating the economic development of the country.
He said Nigerians have to ‘support their own’ to thrive instead of engaging in activities that frustrate such businesses.
Calling on the citizens to inculcate the spirit of broad nationalism and ward off sentiments of ethnic and religious nationalism, Onyema stated if Nigerians continue to support foreign businesses at the expense of the indigenous brands, the economy will continue to suffer a great blow.
Citing how Air Peace recently introduced low fares for its London service as a nationalistic initiative to ease the burden of air travel for Nigerians on the UK route and how this move made the foreign competitors on the same route to reduce their fares, Onyema emphasised that supporting Nigerian businesses is an act of patriotism which should become common practice for all Nigerians.
Onyema, who acknowledged the economic doldrums that Nigeria is currently battling with, implored the citizens to support the government of President Bola Tinubu and give him some time to stabilise the economy.
Also speaking, the chief executive officer of Silver Bird Group, Mr Ben Murray Bruce, called on Nigerians to support Air Peace and other local businesses, saying the country cannot develop its economy sustainably without patronising and growing local businesses.
