Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has described the first international flight into the Asaba International Airport as momentous as it brought back the Super Eagles of Nigeria from south Africa.
Okowa received the Nigerian Super Eagles team after holding Bafana Bafana of South Africa to a 1-1 draw on Saturday and qualifying for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Tam Brisibe, expressed joy the the first international flight in and out of Asaba Airport conveyed the Super Eagles Team successfully and without hitches.
“This is momentous bearing in mind that the flight successfully took the Super Eagles to South Africa and came back without hitches.”
“It is more gratifying to note that the Super Eagles trained at the Stephen Keshi Stadium before leaving for South Africa through the Asaba Airport; they went to South Africa and qualified for Cameroon 2019.
“The principal thing was qualifying for Cameroon and by God’s grace, we have qualified for AFCON, we congratulate the Super Eagles for making Nigeria proud,” he said.
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Pinnick Amaju said he was excited that FIFA has approved the Stephen Keshi Stadium for international football championships.
Pinnick added that it was a thing of pride for Delta state and for the Nigerian team to have launched the Asaba International Airport.
“When it was announced yesterday (Saturday) that we are boarding and flying to Asaba, it gave me great joy, it shows that God rules supreme in Delta State, we have qualified for AFCON and we are going to Cameroon to make great impact.
“On behalf of NFF, I thank the Governor and the good people of Delta State for their show of enthusiasm since the Super Eagles came.
“Asaba stadium is wonderful and the Super Eagles will beat Uganda in their friendly match, remember that the Ugandan Team has also qualified for AFCON” he added.
Special Project Director of Asaba International Airport, Chief Austin Ayomedejo, in an encounter, said, “I feel excited, we give God the glory for using the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to achieve this great feat.
“What is more important is that we have been upgraded to Category C airport, which allows bigger aircraft to land”.