Launch Of International Flight: Aviation Minister Keyamo Says Akwa Ibom Ahead Of Schedule 

Wednesday December 17, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has commended Akwa Ibom State Government for its level of preparedness towards the scheduled take-off of International flights from the Victor Attah International Airport, VAIA.

The Minister who recently announced the new international status for the State’s Airport, gave the commendation shortly after a meeting with members of the International Airport ecosystem at the VAIA.

Assessing facilities in company of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Keyamo expressed satisfaction with the standard of facilities and level of preparedness, and said Akwa Ibom State was already ahead of the planned take-off scheduled for April 2026.

“Having heard from all the agencies involved in an International Airport ecosystem, they were all here with us and we held a closed door meeting.

“From the Customs to Quarantine, the Nigeria Immigration Service, to NDLEA, Police, DSS, to NEMA and all aviation agencies.

“From all we have heard, Akwa Ibom State is ahead of the plan already. They are not behind, but ahead. We thought the gaps to be closed would be much, but they are virtually very small gaps. Akwa Ibom State has gone ahead of schedule to a full blown International Airport,” he stated.

Facilities inspected included the brand new and well- equipped International terminal and the MRO which he described as one of the standard requirements for an International Airport, and stressed that the State is ready to render its aviation services to the world and make the State proud.

“This facility we are seeing here is the MRO, that means, and of course, that all international airlines coming here, they have a facility where they can conduct routine checks before they fly out again. It is one of the standard requirements of any International Airport.

Governor Umo Eno with Aviation Minister Keyamo

He described Akwa Ibom as.a home of great people, blessed with good successive and visionary leaders who build on quality foundation laid by founding fathers, a gesture that have encouraged growth and facilitated rapid development in the State.

He thanked the Governor for building on the existing foundation of his predecessors, a choice that has raised the state to an enviable height.

“We can only thank the visionaries of Akwa Ibom State. We also thank God for Pastor Umo Eno who has actually consummated every plan of his successors. He has not abandoned the State’s Master Plan.

” Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with a succession of visionary leaders, and everyone of them has been God sent to this place, and this is just one of the lines of successors we have here.

“We are happy that Pastor Umo Eno took it from where he met it and by God’s grace, it is during his time that every foundation and seed that has been laid 25 years ago has come to fruition,” he stated.

On his part, Governor Eno commended past leaders of the State for laying the solid foundation that has enhanced growth and development.

“It is humbling, I must tell you. And like the Honourable Minister has said, I have always said this that Akwa Ibom is blessed with good leaders. So we should stop castigating them, we should stop insulting them, they have laid a good foundation, and each administration has built on it.

“But for me, it is the grace of God. God used them to begin the work, but the promise could not be realized without us. So we have seen this playing out and we thank God for the privilege. I thank Akwa Ibom people for giving us that opportunity,” he said.

Governor Eno thanked the Minister for his honesty, zealous and passionate effort towards ensuring that the facilities are properly ulitised for the overall economic benefit of the country.

Governor Eno appreciated President Tinubu’s administration for granting approval of the upgrade in the status of the Victor Attah International Airport, and thanked past leaders for their visionary leadership, having laid the foundation that has allowed development to thrive in the State.

He thanked the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prompt release of funds for project execution in the State.

“Let me also thank the Honourable Minister for his interest. You saw the zeal that he has displayed. Let me also thank the President and the commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for releasing statutory funds for development.

“This is not built with borrowed money; of course you know Akwa Ibom is not owing any bank a dime today. It is state’s fund. If he did not make the fund available, there is no way we would have got to where we are today,” he said.