By Rose Omoyemwen Ozabor
Elder statesman, Olorogun Morrison Olori, has lauded the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, for leading President Bola Tinubu’s giant strides in the aviation industry, describing the feat as unprecedented in the history of the sector.
Olorogun Olori, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, said the development recorded in the aviation sector under the current administration has even received commendations and applause from critics of the APC-led government.
He specifically hailed Keyamo’s leadership in the ministry, describing him as one of the best-performing ministers of President Tinubu’s administration.
Olori, a renowned businessman, gave the commendation while addressing journalists at his residence in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Thursday.
The octogenarian posited that as a regular user of the nation’s airports, he has observed so much turnaround in the sector since the appointment of Keyamo by President Tinubu.
He said some of the legal bottlenecks and unhonoured agreements by previous administrations in the ministry have been resolved by Keyamo, while also expanding the infrastructure and security in the airports.
Olori, however, called on Keyamo, as Delta representative at the Federal Executive Council, to speedy up plans for expansion of Osubi Airport in Okpe to an international standard owing to its strategic position in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
“Chief Festus Keyamo SAN is one of the ministers under President Bola Tinubu’s administration who is doing well. Keyamo has revamped the aviation and airspace industry. He has performed excellently beyond the expectation of many Nigerians.
“All the previous legal bottlenecks in that ministry have been resolved. The Nigerian aviation industry is opening up, and key partnership deals with other countries are being signed. He has shown that he is a good representative of Delta State in the Federal Executive Council.
“Nigerians who hitherto had been condemning the aviation sector are applauding the efforts of President Bola Tinubu through what Keyamo is doing. Look at our airports; they are wearing new looks. Necessary new technologies have been installed for the comfort of passengers and travellers. The security architecture in our airports has tremendously improved. The various aviation agencies are all up and doing.
“As a Deltan, we are expecting so much from Keyamo. I am urging him to expand the Osubi Airport to an international standard. I am aware he has started taking some steps towards that direction. He should help our people in Delta by revamping the Osubi Airport.
“Since Nigeria’s independence, Keyamo is the best man to have man that ministry. I am happy this is happening in our time, where Nigerian airports and the aviation industry can compete with their counterparts in Europe, US and the UK. It is a thing of joy.”, Olori, a prominent Ughelli chief, stated.
Olori also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and his works counterpart, Engr. David Umahi, for their performance.
“Other ministers that are doing well are the FCT minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, and his counterpart in finance, Mr. Wale Edun. The finance minister has been trying to reorganise the nation’s economy from what the past government did. The minister of works, Engr. David Umahi, has also done well”, the elder statesman added.
On the leadership crisis rocking the Delta State chapter of the APC, Olori called on Keyamo and other leaders to intervene in the crisis to save the party from the current mess that has enveloped the state chapter as a leading opposition.
According to him, “We need his (Keyamo’s) type in Delta State. He will make so much difference in Delta. We are calling on him to come and demonstrate what he is doing at the federal level back home. Deltans need his support. Deltans are expecting him to help the state.
“I am also calling on him to come and unite APC in Delta State. There’s a need to consolidate on the party’s achievement from the 2023 general election. I am urging him to work with other party leaders to bring unity to the APC in Delta. We need APC in the affairs of Delta State. Keyamo should salvage the party from the present disunity and crisis.”
