Onyema bags PhD at Nigerian military academy

…Commends military for defending Nigerian sovereignty

The Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, has been conferred with a Doctor of Management Science by the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Onyema who received the honorary academic degree at the 33rd Convocation Ceremony of the Academy on September 28, 2023, also commended the Nigerian military for their sacrifices in keeping the country together and defending her against territorial aggression.

Describing the Nigerian military as one of the best in the world, Onyema charged the new graduands of the academy to deploy the newly acquired skills and knowledge to defend the country and contribute to its development.

Speaking on the conferment of the award, the Commandant of the institution, Major General JO Ochai, the Doctorate Degree is in recognition of his achievements in business, administration, education and outstanding service to the nation and humanity in general.

Ochai added: “It is against this backdrop that the Chief of Defence Staff approved your nomination for the award of Doctor of Management Science (Honoris Causa) at the Convocation Ceremony of Cadets of 70 Regular Course and postgraduate students”.

In his acceptance speech, the Air Peace boss recounted how he wanted to attend the Academy after his secondary school education and expressed delight that he was being honoured with a Doctorate Degree by the same institution.

“I thank the Commandant and the Chairman of Council of NDA for bringing me back to ‘my alma mater’. My joy knows no bounds. The call to serve your nation is a privilege. It is a thing of pride for you to be called to serve in the military. In the Nigerian army, you find true nationalism and I applaud the military for keeping the nation together and for their loyalty and valour. I believe in this country and I preach broad nationalism as against ethnic nationalism.

“I am profoundly grateful for this prestigious Doctorate Degree being conferred on me today. I am extremely appreciative for the honour and recognition. It gives me a huge sense of pride and responsibility.

“The Nigerian Defence Academy is a reputable institution and churns out high-quality, well-rounded military officers whose contemporary skills and knowledge are being deployed in defending the nation and contributing to the national development”.

While lauding the military for their huge sense of pride, patriotism and nationalism, Onyema added: “I have to say it categorically that despite the challenges, the Nigerian military still remains one of the best in the world. You have to consider what they go through and the circumstances in which they operate. You have to consider the stigmatisation of Nigeria as a country and that makes it impossible for the Nigerian government to access the right military equipment where the foreign powers stop us from getting it; yet the Nigerian military is performing. And we have to applaud them. They face all manner of adversity. They are fighting on all fronts- both territorial borders and in confronting the rising insecurity in the country. These are the people making the sacrifices for the security of our nation.

“When we started Air Peace in 2014, I announced that officers of the Nigerian military- serving and retired- should be flying at 10,000 naira then. In 2022, we also introduced a priority boarding policy for military officers to honour them. For all they are doing for the country, we need to motivate them. We also have decided to offer the military rebate on flight tickets and the specifics will be announced soon for both serving and retired officers. We’ll also work with this institution. I’ll discuss with the commandant and his executives to see what I can do for this institution,” Onyema said.

Congratulating the graduands as well as other honourees, Onyema charged them to be great ambassadors of the institution.

He also urged the Management of the Academy to sustain the existing high standards and stay true to its vision of producing officers with broad-based training in both military and academic subjects designed to serve as a foundation for the future progressive development of officers of the Nigerian Armed.

The aviation cognoscente further pledged to continually use his airline and other enterprises to contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Also honoured with a Doctorate Degree is General Martin Luther Agwai(rtd).