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Controversy Over Air Peace Cabin Crew’s Choice Of Outfit
Published
10 months agoon
Air Peace, a prominent Nigerian airline, has stirred controversy after its CEO, Allen Onyema, and cabin crew members were observed wearing the traditional Igbo attire, Isi Agu, as they boarded the airline’s plane for its inaugural flight from Lagos to London.
News About Nigeria reported that the airline officially launched its Lagos-London flight services on Saturday, which is a big milestone in its operations.
This development follows the announcement made a month earlier during a prelaunch forum organised by the airline in February, where plans to commence direct flight operations to London on March 30 were unveiled.
The decision to initiate Lagos-London flights came after Air Peace’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed in November that the airline had successfully secured the necessary permits, including the Foreign Carrier Operator Permit and Third Country Operator Permit.
However, a video surfaced online over the weekend showing Onyema with some cabin crew members wearing the Isi Agu attire, which is traditionally associated with the Igbo ethnic group, as they prepared to embark on the inaugural flight.
Upon the video’s circulation on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, a disagreement ensued among users.
Some netizens accused the CEO of promoting tribalism by allowing his cabin crew to wear Isi Agu attire.
However, others have defended the decision, arguing that individuals should have the freedom to wear attire that represents their culture and heritage.
I can't understand why there is such a fuss over Allen Onyema's choice of dress code for his air hostesses. For me, it is not a big deal. Air Peace is not a Nigerian airline, so the owner has the right to select attire that he believes is suitable for his business. pic.twitter.com/wvdkGkYJve
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) April 1, 2024
May God bless Chief Allen Onyema of AirPeace and whoever came up with the beautiful idea of using Isi-agu to design Air Peace flight attendants' uniforms. I have flown on multiple airlines, and I know that airlines use the cultural outfits of their countries of origin as their… pic.twitter.com/R8OvAc5AzL
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) March 31, 2024
I remember when an Igbo girl posted that she works with Lagos state lightrail and people called for her sack
A whole campaign started with the slogan
Yoruba jobs belongs to Yorubas aloneSee Air Peace Mgt.
5 Out of 9 top positions went to the SW
& No one is spewing hate… pic.twitter.com/NreZL8Kaoj— KiNG D!V!NE Esq (@Divineze) March 31, 2024
I remember when an Igbo girl posted that she works with Lagos state lightrail and people called for her sack
A whole campaign started with the slogan
Yoruba jobs belongs to Yorubas aloneSee Air Peace Mgt.
5 Out of 9 top positions went to the SW
& No one is spewing hate… pic.twitter.com/NreZL8Kaoj— KiNG D!V!NE Esq (@Divineze) March 31, 2024
I love the fact that Allen Onyeoma promotes the Igbo culture with his company.
The other day, an Air Peace pilot made his pre-flight announcement in Igbo.
Just look at that Isi agụ.🤗😍 pic.twitter.com/dTlIDNin0B
— Nwaada Ọlụchi (@Ada_di_ora_mma) March 30, 2024
Air peace is own by an Igbo man, yes! However, check the organisation, can't you see that your brothers and sisters work there?
These tribal bigotry is sick!!! Are you this blind? Why are you worried people put own isiagu, is it not a Nigerian attire. pic.twitter.com/IQAgmjPXV0
— POK (@OlawumiPK) March 31, 2024
I love this.Ronu bigots can cry more as Air Peace crew makes announcment in Igbo. Hello this is a private business & not your Air Nigeria which your fake "messiah" Buhari & his boys used to defraud you gullible bigots of Nigerian money. Onyeama has a right to promote his culture pic.twitter.com/jL03Hycz9U
— BBCNaija (@getmotivatedng) March 31, 2024
Why are you people complaining about the Air Peace cabin crew's choice of clothes. Y'all need deliverance o. pic.twitter.com/hcop1g7lVR
— Maliq (@MasterMaliq) March 31, 2024
Is Air Peace Nigeria Air ?
Why are you telling a business man on how to run his private business.
If he wants them to welcome customers with drums and Isiewu, they should go ahead.
When you buy your own plane and open your own airline, welcome them with Agbada and Amala
— Pamilerin Adegoke (@UnclePamilerin) March 31, 2024
Air Peace is not the National Carrier of Nigeria. Make una tell una president to launch a National Carrier so that the flight attendants will dress in “one nigeria”.
Una own too much. A bicycle owner with Tesla opinion.
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) March 31, 2024
FRAME 1: GLO Advertisement video with people in Yoruba attire. No fuss!
FRAME 2: Nigerian national team players (Super Eagles) in Hausa attire during and after national assignment. No noise!
FRAME 3: Air Peace management staff. Out of 9 positions, 5 went to the South West.… pic.twitter.com/cjsL4YkMRg
— Will E. (@PEC_Concepts) March 31, 2024
Agbados seeing Air Peace Hostess dress in Igbo traditional attire pic.twitter.com/PXnAh0BeIz
— Temu Osirim 📈 (@MrTemu) April 1, 2024
Air Peace don give una 500GBP flight but dem must wear Kaftan and Agbada to please you?
Who the f*ck are you?
— Eben (@EbenezarWikina) March 31, 2024
I love Igbos o… I love them too much…
Air Peace has done well… There is no sensible reason why anyone should complain about the crew's outfit!…
If I'm the one making this great stride… make my crew no wear ESAN wrapper make I see fess!
It's a Nigerian attire fgs!!! pic.twitter.com/ZzUq45Ri2b
— Dr. Ose Etiobhio (@osemagnum) March 31, 2024
You are ok with Air India and Emirates Air hostess wearing their local attire but Air Peace hostess wearing an Igbo attire is where you draw the line?
Disgusting imbeciles… pic.twitter.com/owbjB8tgik
— Dallas (@vincentchidi6) March 31, 2024
I don't see anything wrong with Air Peace staff wearing Igbo attire, Allen Onyema is from South East and he is just promoting his culture through that means. Please let's stop this big@try and face the real problem of Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/4GqCudFKUg
— Mr. Bond | OBIDIENT (@JamesAgwu_E) March 31, 2024
Meanwhile, the airline cut the cost of its economy class ticket to N1.2 million, which is way less than the N3.5 million charged by foreign airlines.
This move challenges British Airways, which used to be the main carrier on this route.
Air Peace is now offering direct flights from Lagos to Gatwick, London, creating direct competition with British Airways.
The airline recently shared its flight schedules for the London service, set to begin on March 30, 2024.