The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, has commended Fidelity Bank Plc for successfully repaying its $400 million Eurobond at maturity, describing the achievement as evidence of the bank’s financial strength and sound management.

Onyema particularly applauded the bank for financing the repayment entirely from its internal liquidity after meeting its obligations throughout the five-year tenure of the Eurobond.

In a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Air Peace Limited, the airline chief attributed the achievement to the strategic leadership of Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.

He noted that the bank’s successful repayment of the Eurobond, alongside its completion of the recapitalisation exercise ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s stipulated deadline, demonstrated its commitment to sound corporate governance and sustainable financial management.

Onyema also highlighted the importance of financially strong banking institutions to the growth of capital-intensive sectors such as aviation, where access to financing is critical for fleet expansion, operational sustainability and industry development.

He stressed that resilient financial institutions and strong partnerships with indigenous businesses were essential to strengthening Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and supporting national development.

The Air Peace chairman congratulated Onyeali-Ikpe, the bank’s Board, Management and staff on the achievement, expressing confidence in the institution’s capacity to record greater milestones.

He also reaffirmed Air Peace’s goodwill towards Fidelity Bank, wishing the financial institution continued growth, stability and greater accomplishments in Nigeria’s banking industry.

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has conferred its prestigious Honorary Fellowship on the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, in recognition of her contributions to banking, financial services and the aviation industry.

The Fellowship was formally conferred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Institute’s Fellowship Investiture Ceremony held at Harbour Point Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With the recognition, Onabanjo-Kuku is entitled to use the professional appellation FCIB after her name, marking her admission into the highest level of membership of the Institute.

CIBN described Fellowship as a recognition of lifetime achievement and professional excellence, noting that the FAAN chief executive had maintained a strong relationship with the Institute through her participation in its activities and contributions to its committees.

The Institute also acknowledged her role as Special Guest of Honour at the 2025 Executive Development Programme (EDP)/Presentation of Practice Licence.

Onabanjo-Kuku’s professional career spans several senior positions in the banking, consulting and aviation sectors, including Assistant Vice President, Finance/Senior Financial Officer at the Bank of Montreal, Canada, and Partner in Business Consulting at Ernst & Young (EY).

She also served as Assistant General Manager/Head of Business Unit Strategy at Bank PHB Plc and Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation on Strategy and Infrastructure Development.

Beyond Nigeria, she serves as Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, where she has contributed to the advancement of airport management and development across the continent.

Her conferment adds to the recognition of her professional experience and leadership across the financial services and aviation industries.

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), NAMA Branch, has pledged to support efforts by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to secure improved revenue allocation from the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Aviation Height Clearance to strengthen its operational capacity.

The newly inaugurated executive of the union also pledged to promote industrial harmony, protect workers’ welfare and sustain constructive engagement with management to improve the agency’s performance.

The commitments were made by the new branch chairman, Comrade Ekip Ekip Eso, during the inauguration of the executive at NAMA headquarters annex in Lagos.

In a statement signed by NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr Abdullahi Musa, Eso said the new leadership would pursue responsible unionism, accountability and policies that promote members’ welfare and the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

He said adequate and sustainable funding was essential for NAMA to maintain critical air navigation infrastructure, strengthen operational capacity and discharge its statutory responsibility of managing Nigeria’s airspace.

According to him, the union would pursue constructive advocacy and engage relevant government authorities and industry stakeholders, alongside sister unions, to support the agency’s position on improved revenue allocation.

Eso said the new executive recognised the responsibility entrusted to it and would discharge its mandate with dedication, fairness and accountability.

He also commended members and stakeholders who supported the branch during its delegate conference in Jos, particularly the ATSSSAN National President, Comrade John Ogbe, for promoting dialogue and reconciliation that helped restore peace and mutual understanding within the union.

The chairman urged members to sustain the renewed unity in the association, noting that collective progress required mutual respect, cooperation and commitment to common objectives.

On workers’ welfare, he pledged that the executive would prioritise timely payment of entitlements, equitable career advancement, professional training, safe working conditions and sustained engagement with management.

He also called on NAMA management to intensify efforts towards securing the urgent approval and implementation of the agency’s new Conditions of Service, describing the document as important to addressing workers’ welfare and employment-related concerns.

The new executive said it would maintain a cooperative relationship with management while ensuring that the legitimate interests of members remained adequately protected.