Ekiti State exploded in celebration on Wednesday as the first commercial flight landed at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
A visibly elated Governor Biodun Oyebanji led other dignitaries to receive the flight amid what could be described as a festival.
He described the project as a major milestone in the state’s quest for economic growth and enhanced connectivity.
Oyebanji, who disclosed that over N49 billion was spent on the execution of the project, noted that the investment reflected the state government’s commitment to critical infrastructure to stimulate development, attract investors, and create jobs for the people of Ekiti State.
He said the airport was strategically designed to support the export of agro-produce, boost value chains, and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers.
The governor added that the airport would also open Ekiti State to global opportunities, particularly in agriculture, commerce, and tourism.
Commending his predecessors for their efforts at birthing the airport, Oyebanji said the completion of the project underscored the gains of continuity in governance.
He also commended members of the National Assembly from Ekiti State for their support towards the actualisation of the project.
Oyebanji assured the people that his government would put in place necessary institutional framework and partnership to ensure optimal utilization and sustainability of the project.
Expressing his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu “whose economic reforms freed resources to sub-national and made such project possible for the development of the state”, the governor also thanked the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola (SAN), “for his selflessness, generosity, and unflinching support to the airport project.”
Oyebanji urged the people of Ekiti State, particularly the entrepreneurs, investors, farmers and young professionals to the airport to expand their business, access new markets, and create wealth, stressing that improved air transport would accelerate trade, tourism and overall economic prosperity in the state.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, described the event as historic.
Keyamo added that the event was not just a takeoff of commercial flights at the airport but beginning of new possibilities, economic pathways, and a new era in the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.
In their separate goodwill messages, former Governors Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, Ayo Fayose, and Niyi Adebayo as well as the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele went down memory lane to highlight their individual efforts towards the completion of the project as they expressed their appreciation to Oyebanji for completing the project.
The United Nigeria aircraft with registration number 5N-BWY and about 50 passengers on board arrived at the airport about 11:09 a.m. and departed at 12:00 noon for Lagos.
Dignitaries on board the first commercial flight include Bamidele, Fayemi, Adebayo, and Fayose.
Also on board were members of the National Assembly from Ekiti State; the Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof Obiora Okonkwo; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Yakubu Adam, among others.
