United Nigeria Airlines Deepens Ekiti Ties With Community Projects
The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has donated a primary healthcare centre and a solar-powered borehole to Aso-Ayegunle community in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, to improve access to healthcare and clean water. The facilities, located near the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, were inaugurated and handed over to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Monday as part of the airline’s corporate social responsibility initiative. Okonkwo said the projects followed a decision taken at the airline’s annual retreat in Ekiti in January to make a lasting impact on the host community. He explained that residents identified clean water and primary healthcare as their major needs, prompting the airline’s intervention. He commended Oyebanji for approving the necessary support within 48 hours and disclosed that the foundation stone was laid before the airline’s delegation left the state after its retreat in February. According to him, about 90 per cent of the construction work was carried out by skilled residents, providing local employment and economic benefits. He added that the airline would assess the projects’ impact and explore further support for the community, while expanding its cargo operations to help Ekiti’s agricultural sector transport farm produce to wider markets.
Inaugurating the facilities, Governor Oyebanji commended the airline and its chairman for contributing to community development, describing the projects as an example of effective collaboration between government and the private sector. He explained that while Okonkwo funded the construction of the healthcare centre, the state government would equip it and provide the medical personnel and supplies required for daily operations. The governor said his administration had rehabilitated, remodelled or constructed about 180 health centres across Ekiti State in the past four years to improve access to primary healthcare. He urged residents to protect and maintain the facilities, while encouraging traditional rulers and community members to support investments that could create jobs and improve livelihoods around the cargo airport. Speaking on behalf of the community, Prince Peter Falade expressed appreciation to the airline and the state government, noting that the new healthcare centre would reduce the difficulties residents face travelling elsewhere for treatment, particularly pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and people requiring urgent medical attention. He also welcomed the solar-powered borehole as an important source of clean water and pledged the community’s commitment to protecting and maintaining both facilities.
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