Air Peace on Monday held a solemn Night of Tribute in honour of its departed Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors — Moses Effiong, Charles Bassey, Christian Chukwu, Obisia Nwakpa, and Peter Rufai.
According to a statement issued by the airline’s Corporate Communications Department on Wednesday, the event took place at the main auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos.
Curated by football legend Segun Odegbami, the tribute brought together family members, former teammates, stakeholders, and prominent figures from the sports and corporate worlds to celebrate the lives and legacies of the departed icons.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Mr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, who delivered a heartfelt sermon and revisited Nigeria’s sporting history; and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace.
The atmosphere was further enriched by a soulful performance from renowned vocalist Yinka Davies, adding a layer of nostalgia and reverence to the evening.
Chairman of Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, delivered an emotional address during the event, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to honouring national heroes who served the country with distinction during times when rewards were uncertain.
He described the fallen athletes as true patriots, saying they “gave everything to the nation at a time when there were no guarantees of reward, yet played for honour and country.” Onyema also shared personal memories of Charles Bassey and Peter Rufai, expressing regret over not doing more while they were alive.
He recalled the sacrifices of the 1976 Olympic team, who were withdrawn from the Montreal Games due to Nigeria’s anti-apartheid stance and returned home to little or no recognition.
Onyema lamented the lack of consistent national appreciation for sports legends and stressed that honouring them is vital to inspiring a renewed sense of nationalism among young Nigerians.
He praised Odegbami’s dedication to advocating for Nigeria’s sports heroes, calling him “a man I will love forever” for his unwavering commitment and selflessness.
In 2022, Air Peace had similarly hosted a landmark celebration for the 1980 AFCON-winning squad and the 1976 Olympic team, unveiling a permanent Wall of Fame at the NIIA and Eko Hotel in Lagos. The airline also awarded them lifetime, unlimited business-class flights under its Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors initiative — a legacy project aimed at celebrating Nigerian sports legends.
“For Air Peace, this Night of Tribute was more than an event, it was a national statement that those who lifted the spirit of the nation must never be forgotten. In honouring these heroes, the airline reaffirmed its role as not just a carrier of passengers, but of patriotism, memory, and dignity,” the statement concluded.
