Founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has offered free accommodation and welfare support to Nigerians displaced by renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The cleric disclosed this on Friday at his residence in the Government Reserved Area, Port Harcourt, stating that he had already secured and paid for a mini estate to accommodate affected Nigerians willing to return home.

According to him, the decision followed a viral video showing a Nigerian allegedly beaten to death during recent xenophobic violence in South Africa.

“I watched a video last week of how a Nigerian living in South Africa was beaten to death by a South African. I could not sleep since that day. Because of that, I told my agent to look for a house, and they found one. I have paid for it today. It is a mini estate,” he said.

Apostle Chinyere noted that the renewed attacks had left many Nigerians living in fear, with businesses destroyed and families uncertain about their future.

Beyond accommodation, he promised additional welfare support, including daily feeding, business support for women, and free education for children of the returnees.

“Your life, your wife and your children are important. We will feed you once per day while you are living in the free estate. For your wife, we will start a small business for her. For your children, we will enrol all of them in one of the OPM 43 free schools to continue their education,” he stated.

The OPM founder acknowledged that many Nigerians abroad hesitate to return home because they fear starting over without homes, jobs, or financial support.

“I am aware that all your businesses, all your houses, everything is in South Africa, so you are coming back with nothing. But by the grace of God, we will support you. We will teach you skills. We have a multi-skills acquisition centre where we can equip you for a new beginning,” he added.

He encouraged affected Nigerians not to lose hope despite the hardship caused by the attacks.

“All hope is not lost. It does not matter what you are going through in South Africa, it is not over for you. You will bounce back. God will restore you,” he said.

Apostle Chinyere also appealed to the Federal Government to assist willing returnees with flight tickets back to Nigeria, explaining that the church could not shoulder the additional financial burden because of its ongoing humanitarian programmes.

He further called on Air Peace to deploy an aircraft to evacuate stranded Nigerians from South Africa free of charge.

The cleric recalled that his ministry had previously intervened in several humanitarian cases, including relocating the family of late Deborah Samuel to Port Harcourt after her killing sparked nationwide outrage.

According to him, the ministry purchased a 14-unit mini estate for the family, established a business for her parents, and awarded scholarships to her siblings.

He added that OPM currently operates 43 tuition-free schools, two specialist hospitals offering free healthcare, 18 free housing estates, and a skills acquisition centre funded through church tithes and offerings.

The cleric also disclosed that the ministry has awarded over 10,000 scholarships to indigent Nigerians both locally and internationally.

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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has warned that Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector is facing a severe threat following the introduction of new tax measures that could push airfares to as high as ₦1.7 million and force airlines out of operation.

Speaking during a media interaction on Sunday, Onyema said the cumulative impact of multiple taxes, statutory levies and high borrowing costs could cripple airline operators within months if urgent corrective steps are not taken by the government.

According to him, Nigerian airlines are unfairly perceived as profiteers, despite retaining only a fraction of ticket revenue after mandatory deductions. He explained that from a ticket priced at about ₦350,000, airlines receive as little as ₦81,000, with the remainder consumed by taxes and charges imposed by various agencies.

“Airlines are heavily overburdened by taxes and levies. People think we are making excessive profits, but that is far from the truth,” Onyema said, stressing that excessive deductions continue to weaken the sector.

He cited a mandatory five per cent charge imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on every ticket sold, noting that it is only one of several overlapping levies confronting operators.

Onyema argued that the current tax structure contradicts global aviation standards as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which discourages governments from using aviation as a revenue-generating tool. Instead, ICAO recommends a cost-recovery model based on services rendered.

“Aviation is not supposed to be a revenue source for government. Charges should reflect the cost of services provided, not be designed to generate profit,” he said, adding that failure to follow this principle has stalled the growth of Nigeria’s airline industry.

The Air Peace boss recalled that the 2020 Finance Act provided significant relief to the aviation sector by exempting aircraft, spare parts, engines and ticket fares from Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duties. However, he said recent tax changes have reversed those gains.

Under the new tax regime, aircraft and spare parts importation now attract 7.5 per cent VAT, a development Onyema said would sharply increase operating costs for airlines already struggling with foreign exchange challenges and high interest rates.

“If you import an aircraft worth $80 million, you are now required to pay 7.5 per cent VAT. Combine that with bank interest rates of between 30 and 35 per cent, and airline operations become unsustainable,” he said.

He warned that airlines would have no option but to pass the rising costs to passengers, leading to unprecedented increases in domestic airfares.

“With the new tax regime, economy class tickets could rise to about ₦1.7 million. If this policy is fully implemented, Nigerian airlines may not survive beyond three months,” Onyema cautioned.

He disclosed that members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had repeatedly engaged relevant government authorities, including the National Assembly and the tax reform committee, to present their concerns.

According to him, lawmakers and government consultants acknowledged the risks after reviewing data presented by airline operators, with some expressing concern over the potential consequences for the sector and the wider economy.

Describing aviation as a critical driver of economic growth, trade and national integration, Onyema urged the Federal Government to reconsider the policy and revert to the provisions of the 2020 aviation tax framework.

He expressed confidence that the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, would recognize the strategic importance of the industry and take steps to prevent the collapse of indigenous airlines.

“Across the world, aviation is supported by governments because of its unique nature. We are not asking for handouts, only policies that allow the industry to survive and grow,” he said.

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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that members of an Air Peace cockpit and cabin crew tested positive for alcohol and cannabis following a serious runway incident involving one of the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The disclosure was contained in a preliminary report released on Friday and signed by the Bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji.

The incident, which occurred on July 13, 2025, involved a scheduled Lagos Port Harcourt domestic flight carrying 103 passengers. According to investigators, the aircraft landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach, touching down more than 2,200 metres beyond the runway threshold. It eventually came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway.

Although no injuries were recorded and all passengers disembarked safely, the event raised significant safety concerns. The NSIB revealed that post-incident toxicological screening conducted at the Rivers State Hospital Management laboratory confirmed the presence of ethyl glucuronide – a marker of recent alcohol consumption in the captain and first officer. A cabin crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance found in cannabis.

“These results are being reviewed within the framework of human performance and safety management, both critical elements in aviation safety,” the NSIB said.

The Bureau has since issued immediate safety recommendations to Air Peace, directing the airline to reinforce internal checks on crew fitness for duty, strengthen crew resource management training, and place greater emphasis on procedures for handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions.

While runway excursions and incursions are often linked to poor communication, pilot error, or infrastructural challenges, the findings introduce substance impairment as an additional factor under close scrutiny by investigators.

Further updates on the investigation are expected as the NSIB continues its review.

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In a recent social media post, featuring the airline’s Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema, Air Peace clarified that it had not issued any such announcement. The online post stated, “Please be informed that effective 1st November 2024, Air Peace will be adding a 100% increase to their fares across all local routes.”

However, the airline swiftly countered these claims on its official X account, labeling them as “false” and not originating from Air Peace. The airline emphasized, “We would like to categorically state that this information is false and did not originate from Air Peace. We have not released any official statement regarding a fare increase as described, and any announcements regarding our pricing would only be made through our verified channels. We encourage our valued customers and clients to rely exclusively on our above platforms for accurate updates and information on fares.”

During the recent celebration of Air Peace’s 10th anniversary in Lagos, Chairman and CEO Dr. Allen Onyema praised the federal government’s ongoing efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s aviation sector. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his proactive approach to transforming the industry, particularly highlighting the appointment of Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Onyema expressed optimism about the industry’s future, stating, “Hope began to rise in the aviation industry over the past year with the appointment of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who has undertaken a revamp of the industry.” He acknowledged that Keyamo’s administration has been marked by effective communication and a commitment to industry welfare.

The Air Peace Chairman further commented on the challenges faced by airlines in Nigeria, linking high mortality rates to a disconnect between policymakers and business owners. He praised Keyamo’s willingness to engage in discussions and his focus on collective industry interests, noting that initiatives such as signing the Cape Town Convention will facilitate better airline operational conditions.

Reflecting on Air Peace’s role in the community, Onyema reiterated that the airline is a national asset owned by all Nigerians. He stated, “Air Peace belongs to all of you. It does not belong to the Onyema family; it belongs to all Nigerians.” He emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing livelihoods for countless Nigerians.

Additionally, Onyema addressed a recent incident involving a passenger complaint about a flight diversion from London to Manchester due to adverse weather conditions. He clarified that the diversion was a precautionary measure, taken to ensure passenger safety, and regretted the passenger’s failure to acknowledge the weather-related circumstances.

In closing, Onyema reassured the public of Air Peace’s commitment to excellence, stating that while no system is perfect, the airline will continually strive to improve its services.

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“Effective 1st November 2024, Air Peace will add a 100% increase to their fares on all local routes,” reads the memo. Passengers and partners are advised to contact their dedicated consultants for further information on the updated fares.

The memo, initially intended for private partners, was leaked online, confirmed an anonymous source within the airline. “The memo was shared privately and leaked online. We’re addressing the matter internally,” the source stated.

This fare adjustment follows Air Peace’s recent expansion of international services, with its inaugural Lagos-Gatwick flight launched in March. Meanwhile, negotiations continue between Nigerian and UK authorities regarding slot allocations for Air Peace at London Heathrow. In August, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, emphasized the need for Heathrow slots, warning that failure to secure them may lead Nigeria to reconsider slots for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in Lagos and Abuja.

In response, UK aviation authorities recently expressed willingness to engage in discussions on the matter, as reported by TheCable on October 21.

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Onyema has also offered Nubi a free London Business Class return ticket.

A statement by Mr. Stanley Olisa, the Spokesman o Air Peace, said that Onyema gave the commendation on Monday, while hosting the travel content creator at the airline’s head office in Lagos.

Onyema insisted that Nubi made the country proud with the effort, coming at a time the economy was down.

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Hails Pelumi Nubi’s Remarkable Journey from London to Lagos, Affirms State Support

He said: “You’ve made Nigeria proud. We are full of joy that you achieved this feat. That is why we said we should acknowledge you.

“We are really impressed with what you did. You are part of our national pride. We appreciate what you have done and we have decided to offer you a free Business Class return ticket to London.”

In her reaction, Nubi expressed gratitude to the management of Air Peace for the offer and lauded the airline for its recently launched London service, which has been an industry disruptor. 

READ ALSO: Federal Government Appeals to Electricity Union to Halt Strike Threat Over Tariff Hike

Pelumi, a travel blogger and the curator of Oremi Travels, recently solo-drove from London to Lagos and has been getting accolades for being the first woman to achieve such feat- solo-drive from the UK to Nigeria/

Source: independent

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