Allen Onyema, the founder and CEO of Air Peace, has honored Ms. Gold Chinyere-Ike, who recently made headlines as the first woman from Umuerim Umukparo in Mbala, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State to travel by air.
The recognition was announced through a statement issued by Ejike Ndiulo, the airline’s Head of Corporate Communications, and shared with The PUNCH on Wednesday.
Ms. Ike, a Nursing graduate from Abia State University, captured national attention on social media after posting a video on TikTok that chronicled her excitement about boarding a plane for the first time. In her post, she expressed awe at the experience, stating, “When we were in the air, the sky looked completely different. On the ground, we look up to the sky, but while flying, it felt like the sky was beneath us. I kept wondering how such a heavy object could stay suspended.”
She shared that flying had always been a dream since childhood. As a young girl, she and her father would watch airplanes soar overhead from their village, crafting imaginative tales of wonders descending from the skies.
Moved by her touching story, Air Peace dispatched a team from its Corporate Communications department to Mbala to personally meet Ms. Ike and convey the founder’s goodwill. During the visit, the airline’s representatives presented her with two complimentary return tickets to any domestic location of her choosing, as well as a selection of Air Peace-branded souvenirs.
Speaking through the delegation, Onyema praised Ms. Ike’s story as a powerful reminder of the airline’s founding vision. “Her journey reflects the very reason Air Peace was established to make air travel accessible to every Nigerian, regardless of location or background,” the delegation said. “When people move, their dreams move with them. That’s the heart of our mission.”
Air Peace emphasized that beyond the personal milestone, Ms. Ike’s experience underlines the airline’s broader goal of democratizing air travel in Nigeria. The company reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that people from all walks of life have the opportunity to explore the skies and reach destinations once thought unattainable.
