Who is the owner of air peace and where is he from

If you think of a Nigerian of Igbo extraction with the typical zero-to-hero story and no history of politics attached, the name of Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema would come top on the list with the likes of Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors.

For many, Onyema came to the fore in 2019 after he offered the use of his Boeing 777 aircraft free of charge to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa during the Xenophobic attacks. It was a rare act that highlighted not only his patriotism but his humanity, especially considering that over N280 million was set aside for this purpose.

This week’s profile focuses on how Onyema went from his days of jumping buses and trains in search of a job in 1990, to becoming a top employer of labour in Nigeria.

READ: Air Peace to evacuate stranded Indians from Lagos to Kerala

Birth and education

Though a native of Mbosi town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state, Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, was the first of nine children born to his parents in 1964, in Benin City (now Edo state). He had his early education in several parts of Midwestern Nigeri

Allen Ifechukwu Onyema

Allen Ifechukwu Onyema is a prominent Nigerian businessman, lawyer, philanthropist, and the founder of Air Peace, West Africa’s largest private airline. Born on March 28, 1964, in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, Onyema has consistently championed national unity and economic empowerment through his various endeavors. His rise to prominence is not without its fair share of controversies and rumors, yet his contributions to Nigerian society and his Igbo heritage remain noteworthy.

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Early Life and Education Allen Ifechukwu Onyema

Allen Ifechukwu Onyema was born into an Igbo family in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. His ancestral roots trace back to Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Onyema grew up in a middle-class family with strong values emphasizing education, discipline, and hard work.

He attended several schools during his formative years, starting with St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1981. Onyema proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he ear

Onyema: Air Peace Was Born Out of Passion To Create Jobs, I Knew Nothing About Aviation 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace, Allen Onyema has revealed that before he started his airline company, he had no idea about the aviation industry, as he created the airline because he was passionate about creating jobs for Nigerians.

This was revealed in a recent documentary to celebrate Air Peace, detailing its history and proudly showcasing the airline’s recent achievements, including the commencement of daily flights from Lagos, Nigeria to Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom.

However, when Onyema decided to venture into the aviation industry, he knew next to nothing about airplanes or the aviation industry. “Before I came to Air Peace, I knew nothing about aviation,” Onyema admitted candidly.

However, his passion and determination to create jobs and leave a lasting impact on society fuelled his drive to thrive in the aviation sector.

Engr. Gbolahan Abatan, the CEO of AirFirst Maintenance, recalled vividly his first encounter with Onyema as well as his

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