By Ayodele Oni
Saturday, October the 15th 2022, will remain an indelible date to people of Ekiti State as the first Aircraft touched down at the multi-million Naira Airport project started and completed by the administration of the outgoing Governor of the State, Kayode Fayemi.
The Jumbo Airline, owned by the Nigeria Airforce, marked NAF 930 landed at the Airport, at exactly 10:23 in the morning to the admiration of Ekiti people, who had been waiting patiently to see if the efforts put in place will actually pay off as some people tagged the project a white elephant project.
But to their chagrin, Ekiti Airport hosted the first Aircraft since its creation about thirty years ago.
The mammoth crowd trooped to Aso-Ayegunle the community housing the Ekiti State Cargo Airport, to be part of the history making occasion; to witness the first flight into the multi-million Naira facility.
They trekked down the Airport as the road was totally busy, both young and old, with so much joy, a clear statement of acceptance of the Fayemi administration for bringing development to the state.
Many, including the Royal Fathers, and other dignitaries trekked the few kilometers dusty and bumpy road to the airport, as the number of vehicles and people were unprecedented, to witness the commissioning of the facility.
At a point, vehicles stood at a stand-still for over an hour on the same spot, as the narrow road to the airport could not contain the influx of people to the area.
As the NAF Jumbo 930 Aircraft landed on the runway of the airport, people who came from far and near surged forward to touch the big bird, but were restricted by security operatives, who at a time were almost overwhelmed by the crowd.
Former Governor of the State and current Minister of Trade, Commerce and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Srika and other Eminent personalities from the State were on hand to savour the day, as Fayemi, Oyebanji and Adebayo led other members of the cabinet to receive the aircraft.
In a brief remark, Fayemi appreciated the good people of the State for believing in him and for their steadfastness and sincerity of purpose towards his administration.
He explained that his government has repeatedly been dogged and committed to ensure the completion of the airport project.
The Governor further said that the Airport would open another chapter of better economy and turn around the fortunes of the entire citizens.
When it fully begins operation, the Cargo Airport will offer exciting world-class facilities to travelers, businesses, Agro-allied produce and airline operators from across the world.
