By Akinwale Kasali

Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, a Pan Yoruba Group has the Governors of the Six South West State to establish O’odua Airline dedicated to Local and International Routes.

The Group in a Statement said the initiative has a very high prospect of viability and profitable if the South West States can key into the initiative and bring it to reality.

The statement signed by its General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi said the O’odua Airline will complement existing private initiatives which will ultimately lead to cut in Air Travel Costs, Job Creation and improvement in tourism and agriculture in the region and in Nigeria as a whole.

AYDM added that  it has already sent letters to the State Governors urging them to embark on the initiative.

“We call on the Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo State to begin the process of creating O’odua Airline.

“This is of utmost priority. There are over 10million Nigerians living in West Africa among who over three million are Yorubas, who are resident in Ivory Coast alone.

“In Europe and America, the Yoruba and NIgerians have the largest population of black people.

“ In UK alone, there are no fewer than one million Nigerians, while in the United States, the figure is even higher. These people use foreign Airlines because there are no alternatives”,  the AYDM said.

The group stressed that the emergence of  O’odua airline will also boost transport of agro-products in Nigeria.

It however commended the efforts of Air Peace owner, Allen Onyema, saying that his contribution is not enough, adding that  there are many gaps yet to be filled in the aviation industry.

“Air Peace has made a remarkable move which is commendable, but this is not enough. Other stakeholders should invest in the aviation industry.

“The South West States should team up to establish a regional Airline, this will remain a milestone and a significant contribution to solving unemployment and improving tourism in Nigeria and in the South West’”, Ajayi said.

He observed that since the establishment of Ibom Airline, the project has continued to thrive adding that the initiative of the Akwa Ibom State government is a challenge to other state Governments in Nigeria.

“There can be no better time to establish the O’odua Airline. We suggest that Ibadan should be the commercial hub of the O’odua Airline.

“Five of the South West States, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun States have airports, With O’odua Airline, the airports will become even more active”. the statement reads.

Ajayi urged the Governors to set up a technical committee to look into the matter and work out the modalities without delay.

He furthermore added that many aviation companies across the world will be anxious to partner with the South West states on the project, urging them to swing into action in actualizing this remarkable feat.