By Francis Ajuonuma
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, has commended Fidelity Bank Plc for successfully repaying its $400 million Eurobond at maturity, describing the feat as a demonstration of financial strength and institutional discipline.
Onyema, in a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the Board, Management and staff of Air Peace, said the bank’s ability to meet its obligations throughout the five-year tenure of the Eurobond, including funding the repayment entirely from internal liquidity, was particularly commendable.
He attributed the achievement to the strategic leadership of Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, noting that her stewardship had strengthened the bank’s financial position and standing in the Nigerian banking industry.
Onyema also commended Fidelity Bank for completing its recapitalisation ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s stipulated deadline, describing the two milestones as evidence of sound corporate governance and sustainable financial management.
He said the bank’s financial resilience was particularly important to capital-intensive sectors such as aviation, where access to funding remains critical to fleet expansion, operational sustainability and growth.
According to him, strong partnerships between financial institutions and indigenous businesses are essential to strengthening Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and supporting broader national development.
Onyema congratulated Onyeali-Ikpe, the board, management and staff of Fidelity Bank, expressing confidence in the institution’s capacity to achieve further milestones.
He reaffirmed Air Peace’s goodwill towards the bank and wished it continued growth and stability in Nigeria’s financial services sector.
