Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri records first International flight

Vice President Flags Off 2025 Hajj Pilgrimage from Imo State, as Airport Records First International Flight

On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, GCON, officially flagged off the 2025 National Hajj pilgrimage from Imo State to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The momentous event marked a significant milestone — not just for the pilgrims but also for the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, as it recorded its first-ever international flight departure.

The Vice President addressed hundreds of intending pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa States, urging them to represent Nigeria with dignity and uphold exemplary behavior throughout their spiritual journey in the Holy Land. He reminded them that as ambassadors of their states and the nation, their conduct would reflect not only their personal values but also the image of Nigeria as a whole.

The flag-off ceremony was not only about the spiritual significance of the Hajj but also carried deep political and infrastructural symbolism. In his remarks, Vice President Shettima commended the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusive governance.

He praised Governor Uzodimma for championing the interests of the Muslim community in a predominantly Christian region and for his strategic role in upgrading the airport to international standards — a move that has now allowed international flight operations to take off from Imo State.

Recalling the airport’s history, the Vice President referenced the commissioning of the Imo International Cargo Airport Terminal by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the time by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, during the tenure of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

That event had generated widespread excitement and hope among the people of Imo and the wider South-East region, with expectations that the facility would immediately begin full operations.

Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed when it became evident that, although the terminal had been ceremonially commissioned, it lacked final federal approval for commercial operations.

This setback, many believe, robbed the state and the region of a major economic opportunity. A fully operational cargo airport would have opened access to international markets, bolstered trade, and significantly boosted the state’s economy.

The delayed activation of this vital infrastructure has often been interpreted as part of a broader pattern of marginalization and systemic neglect experienced by the Igbo people in Nigeria.

Now, with the successful airlifting of pilgrims from the same previously abandoned terminal, there is growing speculation: Has Governor Uzodimma secured the long-awaited federal approval for full international operations at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport? Or is this simply a one-off event tied to the pilgrimage season?

An Igbo adage aptly states, “Onye ji mmadụ n’ala, ji onwe ya” — meaning, “He who holds another down is also held down.” This profound saying speaks to the mutual damage of systemic suppression, raising critical questions: Has the persistent effort to stifle Igbo advancement contributed to the underdevelopment of the region? Could inclusive national growth ever be possible if an entire region remains structurally disadvantaged?

As Imo celebrates this symbolic victory, many are watching closely to see whether this event signals the true beginning of international aviation in the South-East, or if it will simply remain a symbolic gesture that fades with time.