Airport Reporters

 Customs intensifies crackdown on smuggling  in South West  ....Intercepts N511m products  The Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has intercepted illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products valued at N511.4 million and rescued eight live pangolins in separate anti-smuggling operations across the South-West.  The operations were carried out under the leadership of the Acting Comptroller of the unit, Oladapo Afeni, who has intensified intelligence gathering, patrols and collaboration with other security agencies to tackle smuggling and related crimes in the region. The seized drugs and pharmaceutical products were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation and appropriate action. The items included 121 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 65.9 kilogrammes, 100 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, 400 grammes of coca...

   Onyema congratulates Sultan of Sokoto on 20th anniversary on the throne  The Chairman of Air Peace Limited, Dr Allen Onyema, has congratulated His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto, on the occasion of his 20th anniversary on the throne, describing his two decades of leadership as a remarkable testament to service, wisdom and commitment to national unity. Dr Onyema, in his congratulatory message, commended the Sultan for his outstanding contributions to traditional leadership, religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and the promotion of national cohesion. He noted that over the past 20 years, His Eminence has distinguished himself as a respected voice of reason and a bridge-builder whose influence extends beyond the traditional institution and the Muslim community. His consistent advocacy for peace, tolerance, mutual understanding and national unity, he said, has continued to inspire confidence in the capacity of Nigeria's tra...

 Onyema Hails Fidelity Bank Over $400 Million Eurobond Repayment The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, Dr. Allen Onyema, has congratulated Fidelity Bank Plc on the successful repayment of its US$400 million Eurobond at maturity, describing the achievement as a remarkable demonstration of financial strength, institutional discipline and visionary leadership. In a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Air Peace Limited, Onyema commended the Bank for meeting its obligations throughout the five-year tenure of the Eurobond, particularly its decision to fund the repayment entirely from internal liquidity. He attributed the milestone to the strategic foresight of Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, whose leadership, he noted, has continued to strengthen the Bank’s financial standing and reputation within Nigeria’s banking industry. Onyema f...

  Encomiums as FAAN MD, Director of Airport Operations receive prestigious honours  Encomiums are pouring in as the  Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)   celebrates   two of its   Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, and the Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, following the conferment of prestigious professional and traditional honours on them in  recognition of their leadership, service and contributions in their respective fields. Mrs Kuku was conferred with the prestigious Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) at its Fellowship Investiture Ceremony held on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Fellowship, the Institute's highest membership distinction, recognises her exceptional career achievements and contributions to banking, financial services and aviation.  With extensive experience spanning the Bank of Mon...

  CIBN awards honorary fellowship to FAAN MD  The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has awarded its prestigious Honorary Fellowship to Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).  This distinguished honour recognises her exceptional career achievements and significant contributions to the banking profession, financial services, and the aviation sector. The formal conferment of the Fellowship took place at the Institute’s Fellowship Investiture Ceremony on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at the Harbour Point Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.  Following the ceremony, Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku is entitled to use the “FCIB” appellation after her name. Mrs Onabanjo-Kuku’s distinguished corporate career spans several senior roles at prominent institutions.  She has served as Assistant Vice President, Finance/Senior Financial Officer at the Bank of Montreal (Canada), and as a Partner in Busin...

  United Nigeria Airlines closes first tranche of ₦100bn CP programme …Exceeds N20bn target in oversubscribed issuance      United Nigeria Airlines has closed the first tranche of its ₦100 billion commercial paper (CP) programme after raising ₦22 billion. The issuance was oversubscribed with demand exceeding the ₦20 billion target, which reflects strong investor confidence in the airline’s financial performance, growth strategy and credit profile. In recognition of the strong response, United Nigeria Airlines absorbed 10% of the excess subscription and returned the remainder to subscribers whose applications could not be fully allocated. Responding to the development, the Managing Director of UNA, Mazi Osita Okonkwo said: “The level of demand we received is a clear endorsement of our business model, and financial performance as well as the confidence the market has in our growth plans. The proceeds will support fleet expansion and operations. We are grateful to the i...