Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has described as “naive,” Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace.
Omokri, in a statement on Friday on his X handle titled, ‘Allen Onyema and Air Peace Should Learn Excellence From The Bull,’ berated the CEO of Air Peace for always talking about his plans.
Omokri noted that “for a man who is taking on the big global airlines and complaining that they are trying to run him out of business, Mr. Onyema is somewhat naive.”
Omokri’s statement comes on the heels of the ongoing ‘price war’ between Air Peace and other airlines operating in the country.
He urged the Air Peace boss to “learn how to defeat foreign exploiters from Dr. Mike Adenuga, noting that the business guru seldom appears on national television to reveal his plans to his competitors.
Omokri’s statement reads, “Air Peace is a Nigerian project, and every Nigerian should be proud of their prowess. Our government must do everything to ensure that this national project succeeds.
“It must not fail, like Arik. And it must not sail like the Titanic. Air Peace must succeed and go ballistic for the sake of Nigeria.
“However, the biggest threat to Air Peace is not the foreign airlines that have now launched a price war against the airlines, nor the Nigerian bureaucracy that is not always well oiled. No.
“The peril in overshadowing Air Peace today is Allen Onyema, its CEO. Mr. Onyema talks too much for a CEO. In fact, he is more of a spokesperson and a brand ambassador than a CEO, and he is wearing himself too thin and making unforced errors that will arm his enemies.
“In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, April 1, 2024, Mr. Onyema said, ‘We are planning to hit New York or Houston towards the end of the year because we are bringing in more 777s. As I speak to you, my staff, they’re in California, the engineering technical services department. They’re in California inspecting some three 777s we want to acquire and buy. So, if we could get them in the next two or three months, then, of course, we are good to go anywhere.’
“For a man who is taking on the big global airlines and complaining that they are trying to run him out of business, Mr. Onyema is somewhat naive. Why talk about your plans?
“I love Air Peace. I want them to succeed. But how many 777s can he buy from Boeing? Maybe five. Probably ten. Those he is accusing of fighting him ordered hundreds of tears.
“In 2022 alone, British Airways ordered 50 Boeing 737 MAX for $6.25 billion, as well as 11 Airbus A320neo aircraft and three A321neos worth $1.7 billion. That is just for one year alone. And from one airline.
“Collectively, this European cartel of airlines can approach Boeing or Airbus to frustrate Air Peace. What was the point of Onyeka’s revelations? The public is already happy with you for the Lagos-Gatwick feat. Why expose your plans? Onyema and Air Peace are already popular. What they need now is a vision to attract provisions and avoid division.
“And again, a week ago, Mr. Onyema was on television again. And this time, he says, ‘When you say what has it been like, right from the day we published our fares, even that inaugural flight got sold out within days. It got sold out in days and even up to September.’
“Then, four days later, he was at the same station, crying to the government and Nigerians to stick with him as the foreign airlines cabal had launched a price war against him for recent flights on the Lagos-London route.
“Well, if his first assertion were true, then Air Peace would not be bothered about a price war for ticket prices in April and May. They would have already sold out those tickets.
“Perhaps Mr. Onyema may want to learn how to defeat foreign exploiters from Dr. Mike Adenuga.
“How many times have you seen Dr. Adenuga in the news? Or giving an interview? Or is he defending himself or his brand? Or even accepting the Silverbird Man of the Year award when he won? The answer is never.
“But no corporation in Nigeria advertises like Glo. Nobody. Bar none. And Glo’s ads can’t be ignored. They are unputdownable! They grab you by overwhelming your senses.
“And if you come after them, the way some have tried and failed, they launch a blitzkrieg of well-articulated narratives that will make you regret the day the devil put the thought of fighting Adenuga into your mind.
“That is how you do it. If your opponents and rivals cannot preempt you, then they cannot forestall you.
“Dr. Adenuga had bragging rights when he was launching the first of its kind in Africa and the developing world Glo 1 submarine cable, which ran from Bude, a seaside rural town in north Cornwall, England, and traversed seventeen countries, including Ghana, before terminating in Nigeria.”
