The dream of the people of South-East Nigeria to have an international airport will become a reality from next month when the first international flight is expected to touch down at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this yesterday while opening the remodeled local wing of the airport andlaying the foundation stone of the international wing. The Nigerian leader hinted that Ethiopian Airlines would be the first international airline to land at the airport, saying he was hopeful that this would happen next month.

It was a day of celebration and a carnival-like atmosphere prevailed as Jonathan took one more step towards actualising one of his campaign promises to Ndigbo, who have adopted him as a son and fanatically supported him during the 2011 presidential ballot.

After activities at the airport, President Jonathan held a town hall meeting with representatives of the five South-East states – each state sending 250 delegates.

The interactive session held at the Government House Enugu was animated and well attended.
The President was accompanied by several key federal ministers. Among dignitaries present were former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and many senior Igbo political leaders.

The South-East governors in their address read by Gov. Peter Obi, Chair of South-East Governors Forum, expressed happiness that the people’s wish for an international airport is finally coming true.

“The people of this geopolitical zone remain the most widely travelled in this nation. It is only fitting, therefore, that they should merit their own International Airport as they traverse the world to market the entrepreneurial attributes of Nigeria and seek to attract investors that empower our people, create wealth and generate income.We are therefore grateful for the commissioning of the new domestic terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the ground-breaking ceremony of the International Terminal of the same airport,” they said.

The governors however, made other demands, among them the construction of the Second Niger Bridge,rehabilitation of federal highways in the zone and tackling of the erosion menace in the area.

•Photo: Akanu Ibiam International Airport.