Ebonyi State Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Dr Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu has dismissed reports alleging that the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport has been converted into an event centre.
Described the reports as unfounded, Obichukwu emphasized that the airport was never used as an event centre.
Rather, according to her, it was for the lifting of over 204 overseas scholarship students who boarded the aircraft and left to their academic destinations.
The commissioner warned the fake news peddlers in the state to desist from portraying the international airport in bad light.
She added that the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport had since one month recorded over 22 flights operations from Ebonyi to Abuja and Ebonyi to Lagos.
She called on the citizens of the state, foreign and national agencies partnering the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport to ignore the fake news, adding that it was the handiwork of mischief makers who are hellbent to tarnish the good work of the state with the intent to satisfy their pay masters.
Obichukwu emphasized that the purpose of holding the flag off ceremony of the 2024/ 2025 scholarship scheme at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport by the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, was to enable the oversea scholarship students to board their flight immediately, insisting that there is no way the flag off can take place in a different venue and it won’t affect the students.
She said: “The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport has since December recorded over 22 flight operations and as I speak with you, we have continued to be on air and we can never stop.
“And so, those fake news purveyors who alleged that our airport was converted into an event centre are enemies of the state.”
Obichukwu urged citizens and prominent stakeholders of the South-East region to come to the airport to take their flights, assuring them of adequate safety of their lives and properties.
“At the airport, the oversea scholarship students boarded planes and left to various countries and governor, Francis Nwifuru being a father, decided to host them and pray for them before leaving Nigeria.
“And as a humble governor, he decided to meet them at the airport instead of them coming to his office in Government House. That is a sign of humility and I must commend him,” the commissioner added.
Arogidigba Global Journal had earlier reported that the governor, Francis Nwifuru, the commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, alongside other leaders of the state bid farewell to 204 overseas scholarship students while boarding their flights.