Dele Ogunyemi
7 November 2009
Ibadan — An Israeli investment group, Alpha Club Holdings Limited, has commenced arrangements to float an airline in Nigeria.
To this end, the Israeli conglomerate in collaboration with its Nigerian subsidiary, Alpha Rishon Tours, has acquired two aircraft namely B474 with 540 capacity and A340 with 300 capacity.
Briefing journalists in Ibadan yesterday, Chairman of the Nigerian, subsidiary Chief John Babalola Oni, said by the time the airline begins operation, the hardships currently being experienced by Nigerian pilgrims to Israel would be minimised as they would be having direct flight from Lagos to Jerusalem.
"By the time the proposed airline becomes operational, the cost of airlifting our passengers to Jerusalem for pilgrimages would be reduced. Apart from this, operating directly to our headquarters in Israel would become a lot easier," he said.
Commenting on this year's holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Chief Oni said a group of 26 Christians led by Pastor Oluniyi Abraham Akinpelu of the Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Ibadan would be airlift on November 10 purposely for a prayer mission for the country.
Specifically, he said the team would be praying for the liberation of this country from the bondage of Satan, "because it is an aberration for millions of Nigerians to be living in abject poverty in the midst of plenty."
He also spoke on the moves by government to deregulate the downstream oil sector, saying all sectors of the economy would be adversely affected if actualised.
"Many countries that have carried out deregulation do not have crude oil. How can Nigeria have crude oil and Nigerians do not enjoy the benefits. We are the sixth largest oil producer in the world. I completely disagree with the government's deregulation agenda. But don't worry, by the time we come back from this year Holy Pilgrimage by November 22, you will see the difference. God would definitely move in this country," he said.
On government's persistent sponsorship of Nigerians for Christian and Muslim pilgrimages, Chief Oni said in as much as the government is expected to be independent, "government has got nothing to do with religion and government should therefore stay clear of religion."
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