The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has hailed the approval by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for unscheduled flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti. The party described the approval as a timely and positive development.
Segun Dipe, the APC Publicity Secretary in Ekiti, praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the achievement, calling him a promise-keeper. On Thursday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, announced that the NCAA had granted approval for non-scheduled flight operations under Visual Flight Rules at the airport for a six-month period, from December 15, 2024, to June 15, 2025. The approval allows private jets and chartered flights to operate between 6 am and 6 pm, in preparation for the final approval for commercial flight operations.
In a statement on Friday, Dipe expressed immense joy, saying, “This is a promise made and a promise kept—a Christmas gift specially wrapped for all in the state. We are very happy, and we boldly state that it will serve us well to the delight of everyone.” He emphasized that the focus should be on the achievement itself, rather than past criticisms of the project. Dipe continued, “Everyone in the state should give the governor credit for his determination and for ignoring the naysayers until the project made progress.”
He further celebrated the accomplishment, stating, “We dreamt big, and we have achieved big. This is today’s achievement for tomorrow’s greatness.” Dipe acknowledged that having an airport in Ekiti seemed like an ambitious goal for the state, but with determination and divine support, the project has come to fruition. “With a highly determined governor, great things are happening in Ekiti, and the people will be delighted to witness this at such a crucial time,” he concluded.