BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, was on Thursday celebrated in Abuja as a Distinguished Human Rights Defender at the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) 30th Anniversary Gala, an honour that further cements his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most impactful humanitarians.
The ceremony, held at the Nigerian Airforce Conference Centre, gathered some of the nation’s most esteemed voices in human rights advocacy.
The NHRC also recognised other trailblazers, including Prof. Wole Soyinka, GCON; Alhaja Saudatu Mahdi, MFR; Prof. Ngozi Joy Ezeilo, SAN, OON; Dr. Abdul Shaibu Oroh, OON; Dr. Jake Epelle; Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN; Chief (Mrs) Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi; and Barr. Mrs. Ayo Obe, OON.
According to the Commission, Dr. Onyema was honoured for his “remarkable, sustained and humane interventions” that have consistently safeguarded the dignity and rights of vulnerable populations across Africa.
His widely acclaimed humanitarian initiatives include rescuing trafficked Nigerian girls in Côte d’Ivoire, offering free evacuation flights to Nigerians caught in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, and providing critical airlift support during the COVID-19 pandemic and other conflict emergencies.
The NHRC also highlighted his pioneering peacebuilding efforts in the Niger Delta, where he championed non-violence and reintegration programmes, as well as his consistent support for Nigerian athletes and internally displaced persons across northern Nigeria.
Describing him as “a patriot whose actions consistently restore confidence in humanity,” the Commission affirmed that Onyema’s work reflects a rare blend of compassion, moral courage and national commitment.
This recognition joins a growing list of honours, including the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), underscoring his influence in humanitarian leadership and corporate responsibility.
The anniversary gala closed on a celebratory note, with the NHRC reaffirming its dedication to defending human rights and safeguarding the dignity of every Nigerian over the past three decades.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
