The CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has been receiving accolades from Nigerians for offering free flights from South Africa due to xenophobia on his countrymen.
A brief introduction on his profile:
The CEO is not a politician or a pastor neither is he a celebrity musician/actor but a lawyer, businessman and a conflict resolution expert.
Born Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, he is a native of Mbosi town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, South East Nigeria but lost his mother at the age of 44 in 1991. He grew up in the old Bendel State, principally, Benin and Warri and is the first of nine children.
He attended St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia, Urhobo College Effurun and the prestigious Government College Ughelli and also Nigeria’s Premier University, the University of Ibadan (UI) where he studied Law and the Nigerian Law School between 1987/88 and called to the bar in 1989.
He came to Lagos in 1990 in search of jobs with no money and was squatting in Oshodi. He could not afford taxis or buses but was going to Lagos Island by rail and back to Oshodi even trek from Marina to Iddo to join the overcrowded trains.
In spite of his love to follow his passion, he searched for a law firm to join but was frustrated when nothing showed up and the late Chief Vincent Amobi Nwizugbo gave him the opportunity in his chambers on Martins Street, Lagos Island to learn with 5 other lawyers with a monthly salary of N500.
He got married in 1993 to Ojochide, an Igala lady from Kogi State
In 1997, a friend informed him of a commercial Boeing 737 for sale which could give jobs to over 150 persons and that led to setting up Air Peace.
His 7 aircraft were all named after his family. The executive jet is named Michael after his dad while Domier 328 jet is named Helen after his late mum. The others are Domier 328 after Ojochide after his wife. The first four B737 has the names of his four children: Nnenna– after the first child and daughter, Chinonso– after the first son, Obinna – after his second son and Ugochukwu – after his last son.
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