By ABDULLATEEF ALIYU, Lagos

Following widespread report about move to rebrand Arik Air and change the name to Nigeria Eagle, the Asset Management Corporation (AMCON), the Federal Government recovery agency managing the airline in the last four years, has cleared the air.

Daily Trust learnt that there has been a move to change the name of the carrier formerly owned by Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide.

It would be recalled that the airline, which used to be the largest in West and Central Africa, was taken over by AMCON in 2016 following indebtedness.

Since then there has been uncertainty over the fate of the airline even as the Managing Director of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, recently suggested that it could be converted to a national carrier; a suggestion which the Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, rejected.

Rebranding process

But sources said the airline is undergoing a rebranding process which would involve changing its name.

Already, one of its aircraft was said to have been branded Nigeria Eagle with the livery showing the new logo of an eagle brand on the engine, and tail painted in green colour with a touch of grey.

But AMCON, in a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Jude Nwauzor, noted that the corporation currently has more than five airlines in its aviation portfolio, saying the proposed entity has nothing to do with rebranding any of the airlines under it.

Clearing the air

The statement read in full: “Following its mandate, especially as it relates to the aviation sector of the Nigerian economy, it is public knowledge that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had approached the aviation authorities in the country seeking a licence for an independent entity where all of its aviation assets would be transferred and efficiently managed in a synergistic manner.

“AMCON currently has more than five airlines in its aviation portfolio among other assets that are scattered all over.

“The proposed new entity therefore has nothing to do with the rebranding any of the airlines within its portfolio as being speculated in several online publications.

“The objective of AMCON’s intervention in the aviation sector is targeted at supporting the sector, given its importance, saving thousands of jobs, making the aviation sector a catalyst for the growth of the Nigerian economy and recovering the huge debt owed the Corporation by these aviation entities.” (Daily Trust)