By Samuel Sunday
The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has called for stronger partnerships between government, private investors and host communities to accelerate development.
Prof. Okonkwo made the call on Monday in Aso-Ayegunle, Ijan-Ekiti, during the commissioning of a community health centre, a solar-powered borehole and a perimeter fence donated by the airline to the community.
He explained that the intervention was part of the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to improve the welfare of communities around the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, so that residents can benefit directly from the economic opportunities created by the airport.
“The Holy Spirit taught me that it was not enough to finish our retreat and leave; we should leave a mark here,” he said.
The airline chairman commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting the airline’s operations in Ekiti, describing the state government’s cooperation as important to attracting private investment.
He said the airline consulted stakeholders to identify the community’s needs before embarking on the projects, adding that about 90 per cent of the jobs involved in the construction were handled by members of the host community.
Prof. Okonkwo also pledged to accelerate plans to develop air cargo services at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to support the transportation of agricultural produce to wider markets.
“Cargo for agricultural products is very important to this state. We are going to hasten and facilitate our process of developing our cargo wing to ensure that we serve Ekiti State,” he said, assuring residents that the airline would consider further development initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Governor Oyebanji thanked the airline’s management for the investment, describing the project as a demonstration of the benefits of public-private partnerships.
He said the state government had rehabilitated, remodelled or constructed about 180 health centres in the preceding four years, and promised to provide the new facility with the necessary medical equipment, personnel and consumables.
“A building alone does not treat, and it does not heal. I therefore charge the community to take ownership and use it well,” the governor said.
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, commended the airline for the intervention and urged residents to protect and maintain the facilities. He also called on prominent Ekiti indigenes to invest in the state, stressing the importance of collective efforts in promoting development.
The state Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, said the health centre would improve access to maternal and child healthcare, immunisation and other essential medical services.
Residents of Aso-Ayegunle expressed delight over the donation, describing it as a welcome development that would bring healthcare services closer to their homes.
They said the facility would reduce the difficulties associated with travelling long distances to access medical attention, particularly for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and other residents requiring urgent care. They also welcomed the solar-powered borehole, expressing hope that the projects would improve their living conditions.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Niyi Oyeniyi, described the commissioning as an important milestone for Ekiti State and commended the airline for contributing to community development.
The projects are expected to strengthen access to primary healthcare and water in Aso-Ayegunle, while the governor urged traditional rulers and residents to cooperate with government and private investors to ensure that communities around the airport benefit from ongoing development initiatives.
