Gov. Adeleke set to activate Building of African Tourism International Airport Privately Owned in Osun

The Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Sen. (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is set to activate the building of African Tourism International Airport, approved by the Federal Government since 2019, in Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

The privately owned/financed international Airport which will be the first of its kind in West Africa, was conceived by the Managing Director/CEO of Awol International Ltd, Ambassador Flt. Captain Nurudeen Ogunlade in 2017.

Awol International Ltd and Bead Aviation Airline SL is a Continental Conglomerate with speciality in the Aviation, Tourism and Cross-cultural Reintegration Industry among countries in the Caribbean, South America, United States of America and Europe.

The proposed takeoff of the Airport building at Ila-Orangun, Osun State as approved on 5th September 2019 by the Federal Government, was delayed by the previous administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.

In a letter captioned "approval to build African Tourism International Airport at Ila-Orangun, Osun State of Nigeria",  by the Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. T. Alkali (Capt.), Capt. Ogunlade was urged to further liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the construction actualisation, in due course.

The letter read in part "sequel to the receipt of letter dated 7th June 2019, and subsequent visit of the Technical Team from the Ministry (Transportation) and its agencies on 24th - 26th July 2019, I am directed to convey approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a privately owned/financed Airport on the inspected site as attached at Ila-Orangun, Osun State".

The investment-friendly governor, His Excellency Sen. (Dr.) Adeleke through the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has started holding talks with Awol International Ltd, to create an enabling environment for the commencement of the Airport construction immediately.

Meanwhile, the Orangun of Ila, HRM Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun has since confirmed the release of a parcel of land belonging to four families for the purpose of the Airport construction.

According to the Monarch, "I, Oba Abdul-Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun, Arutu Oluokun Bibire 1 (The Orangun of Ila and the paramount ruler of Ila-Orangun Kingdom/Land) hereby confirm that the underlisted families compound’s Chiefs have released their families compounds farmlands situate along Ila-Orangun/Osogbo Road and Ila-Orangun/Oyan Road to Ambassador Flt. Captain Nurudeen James Ogunlade, the Managing Director of Awol International Ltd of 86, old Offatedo/Ede Road, Prime Area, Osogbo, Osun State of Nigeria for the purpose of establishing African International Airport, Ila-Orangun, Osun State of Nigeria".

African Tourism International Airport privately owned is not new in the world, as Gatwick and London City international Airports in Britain and Atlanta international Airport in the United States of America are its examples.

Owing to the readiness of the Adeleke-led administration for the commencement of the Airport construction project, further engagements with the State team in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry are ongoing.