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[Culled from the latest edition of Island News and sent to African Examiner by a concerned Customer]
British Airway [BA], last week, lost a-last-minute chance to avert a worldwide boycott of its services by Nigerian
customers. Industry analysts are of the view that BA’s failure to stop the boycott may plunge the world’s biggest
airline into predictable loss of patronage, particularly on the Lagos-London route described as one of BA’s most
lucrative estimated at $500 million a year.
Princess Tosin Awofesin, an international lawyer and a member of the Respect Nigeria Coalition (RNC), the
group spearheading the boycott of BA’s services said: “Time is up, the boycott is on; and this is just the
beginning.” Tai Anyanwu witnessed the proceedings and filed this report.
associations and schools attended by Nigerians. There are reports indicating that pirate radio stations have also
joined the boycott campaign in the British capital.
Here in Nigeria , the campaign is being replicated, perhaps not to the same degree as diasporans. The first major
activity in Nigeria kicked off in our backyard. It was Thursday, May 15, 2008 . The time was about 9.35 am .
The location was British Airways [BA’s] office at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive , Ikoyi, (formerly Queens Drive ). The
usually serene precinct buzzed with about 100 heavily armed anti-riot policemen. Oyinkan Abayomi Drive
neighbourhood is home to the chairman of Multichoice, Dewunmi Ogunsanya, the Hathiramanis owners of the
Dana conglomerate, Olorogun Michael Ibru, Zenith Bank’s boss Jim Ovia, Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Ojukwu, boss
of BankPHB Francis Atuche, the late S.B. Bakare and S.L. Edu.
The sight of protesters and armed security agents must have infuriated residents. Island News reliably gathered
that the police was invited by officials of BA, to keep unwanted persons away from the airline’s office. The move,
described as a tactical error, created negative atmosphere for the round-table –talk between the delegation from
Respect Nigerians Coalition [RNC], a group of concerned Nigerians, who scheduled a protest visit to the airline’s
office; as part of its current crusade against BA’s ill treatment of victims of the passengers of BA flight 075 of
March 27th, 2008 . Princess Tosin Awofesin, RNC’s spokesperson, told Island News that the presence of
armoured tanks and battle-ready anti-riot police men was a wrong move. Her words: “You cannot come to my
country and intimidate us with policemen.”
‘unwanted persons’ into waiting police van. Island News learnt on arrival, that the situation was brought under
control by a senior police officer, who convinced BA officials to a close-door meeting with the leaders of the
protest. Few journalists including the writer of this report were allowed to be part of the meeting.
At the meeting, RNC made five demands on British Airways, as a final attempt to get BA to apologize and
compensate Mr. Ayodeji Omotade and other Nigerians among the 135 passengers subjected to degrading
treatment on board BA fight 075 of March 27, 2008 . The demands include: a clear and well-worded apology to
all passengers affected by what was described as BA’s discriminatory and intimidating conduct on board BA075;
a clear and well-worded apology and appropriate compensation to Mr. Ayodeji Omotade for financial and
emotional losses suffered as a result of the conduct of British Airways and its agents; withdrawal of all adverse
statements made to the police about Ayodeji Omotade over the incident; lifting of the ban imposed on Omotade to
fly BA , even as he would still reserve his right to decide whether or not to fly British Airways in the future; and
issue an undertaken that British Airways shall improve its customer care culture and desist from such practices that
gives the impression that the airline is arrogant, uncaring and discriminatory.
After examining some of the issues, BA’s negotiating team lead by Ademola Adedoyin pleaded for more time to
enable them decide on the demands. RNC on the other hand maintained that enough time had been given to the
airline. Negotiations finally broke down when BA officials declined to apologize to Nigerians, demand as a sign of
remorse.
Addressing the press at the end of the meeting, Awofesin said: “We, members of Respect Nigerians Coalition
[RNC] have resolved to officially commence the worldwide boycott of British Airways goods and services as
from Thursday, 15, May, 2008. We are calling on every Nigerian and friends of Nigeria , every person who loves
justice and fairness and every person who has a social conscience to vote against British Airways with the power
of their purse.” So far, she continued, ‘’British Airways has failed to grant the demands or give any indication of its
intention to grant any. The terrible statements its faceless officials have been making in the press over this issue,
both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria , attest to the unwillingness of those who run the airline to see reason. In
the face of British Airways’ stonewalling, it is therefore our intention to now inform you of our next line of action,”
she explained.
Awofesin declared that the worldwide boycott of British Airways flight has commenced; saying: “We are calling
on people to educate British Airways on the virtue of good corporate citizenship.” She however noted that
Nigerians are the most important pillars of support in the struggle. Her words: “Please stand by us, for the man
dies in him who keeps silent in the face of tyranny of any sort.” Some commentators are worried that high profile
Nigerians, who occupy about 80% of British Airways first class flights, show unflinching brand loyalty to British
Airways. The questions that agitate the mind are: how can RNC get this caliber of Nigerians to dump British
Airways? How exactly does the coalition intend to go about enforcing the boycott? One analysts said, the second
phase of the campaign will entail the naming and shaming of ‘’unpatriotic Nigerians who continue to patronize
BA’’.
British Airway [BA], last week, lost a-last-minute chance to avert a worldwide boycott of its services by Nigerian
customers. Industry analysts are of the view that BA’s failure to stop the boycott may plunge the world’s biggest
airline into predictable loss of patronage, particularly on the Lagos-London route described as one of BA’s most
lucrative estimated at $500 million a year.
Princess Tosin Awofesin, an international lawyer and a member of the Respect Nigeria Coalition (RNC), the
group spearheading the boycott of BA’s services said: “Time is up, the boycott is on; and this is just the
beginning.” Tai Anyanwu witnessed the proceedings and filed this report.
- British Airways is predicting tough times ahead for the
airline industry worldwide yet the controversial airline
a few days ago reported a 45% rise in annual profits
to the tune of .$1.8 billion for the period ending to 31
March 2008 . The airline’s boss Willie Walsh called it
an "outstanding" result. Few will disagree. Walsh
warned that economic uncertainty poses challenges.
Most will agree. Part of the uncertainty is also a
potentially damaging boycott of its services by
Nigerian customers.
- The boycott campaign is gathering momentum
especially for Nigerians resident abroad. Emails, text
messages, leaflets and telephone calls encouraging
Nigerians to abide by the boycott are being used by
the anti-BA organizers to full effect.
associations and schools attended by Nigerians. There are reports indicating that pirate radio stations have also
joined the boycott campaign in the British capital.
Here in Nigeria , the campaign is being replicated, perhaps not to the same degree as diasporans. The first major
activity in Nigeria kicked off in our backyard. It was Thursday, May 15, 2008 . The time was about 9.35 am .
The location was British Airways [BA’s] office at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive , Ikoyi, (formerly Queens Drive ). The
usually serene precinct buzzed with about 100 heavily armed anti-riot policemen. Oyinkan Abayomi Drive
neighbourhood is home to the chairman of Multichoice, Dewunmi Ogunsanya, the Hathiramanis owners of the
Dana conglomerate, Olorogun Michael Ibru, Zenith Bank’s boss Jim Ovia, Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Ojukwu, boss
of BankPHB Francis Atuche, the late S.B. Bakare and S.L. Edu.
The sight of protesters and armed security agents must have infuriated residents. Island News reliably gathered
that the police was invited by officials of BA, to keep unwanted persons away from the airline’s office. The move,
described as a tactical error, created negative atmosphere for the round-table –talk between the delegation from
Respect Nigerians Coalition [RNC], a group of concerned Nigerians, who scheduled a protest visit to the airline’s
office; as part of its current crusade against BA’s ill treatment of victims of the passengers of BA flight 075 of
March 27th, 2008 . Princess Tosin Awofesin, RNC’s spokesperson, told Island News that the presence of
armoured tanks and battle-ready anti-riot police men was a wrong move. Her words: “You cannot come to my
country and intimidate us with policemen.”
- One Islander, Cyril Udo, who witnessed
the scene, said every thing was peaceful
until the police began to harass
journalists who were at hand to cover
the demonstration. Cameras belonging to
some journalists, he further explained,
were confiscated as journalists
attempted to capture the delegate’s
arrival amidst heavy police presence at
the background.
‘unwanted persons’ into waiting police van. Island News learnt on arrival, that the situation was brought under
control by a senior police officer, who convinced BA officials to a close-door meeting with the leaders of the
protest. Few journalists including the writer of this report were allowed to be part of the meeting.
At the meeting, RNC made five demands on British Airways, as a final attempt to get BA to apologize and
compensate Mr. Ayodeji Omotade and other Nigerians among the 135 passengers subjected to degrading
treatment on board BA fight 075 of March 27, 2008 . The demands include: a clear and well-worded apology to
all passengers affected by what was described as BA’s discriminatory and intimidating conduct on board BA075;
a clear and well-worded apology and appropriate compensation to Mr. Ayodeji Omotade for financial and
emotional losses suffered as a result of the conduct of British Airways and its agents; withdrawal of all adverse
statements made to the police about Ayodeji Omotade over the incident; lifting of the ban imposed on Omotade to
fly BA , even as he would still reserve his right to decide whether or not to fly British Airways in the future; and
issue an undertaken that British Airways shall improve its customer care culture and desist from such practices that
gives the impression that the airline is arrogant, uncaring and discriminatory.
After examining some of the issues, BA’s negotiating team lead by Ademola Adedoyin pleaded for more time to
enable them decide on the demands. RNC on the other hand maintained that enough time had been given to the
airline. Negotiations finally broke down when BA officials declined to apologize to Nigerians, demand as a sign of
remorse.
Addressing the press at the end of the meeting, Awofesin said: “We, members of Respect Nigerians Coalition
[RNC] have resolved to officially commence the worldwide boycott of British Airways goods and services as
from Thursday, 15, May, 2008. We are calling on every Nigerian and friends of Nigeria , every person who loves
justice and fairness and every person who has a social conscience to vote against British Airways with the power
of their purse.” So far, she continued, ‘’British Airways has failed to grant the demands or give any indication of its
intention to grant any. The terrible statements its faceless officials have been making in the press over this issue,
both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria , attest to the unwillingness of those who run the airline to see reason. In
the face of British Airways’ stonewalling, it is therefore our intention to now inform you of our next line of action,”
she explained.
Awofesin declared that the worldwide boycott of British Airways flight has commenced; saying: “We are calling
on people to educate British Airways on the virtue of good corporate citizenship.” She however noted that
Nigerians are the most important pillars of support in the struggle. Her words: “Please stand by us, for the man
dies in him who keeps silent in the face of tyranny of any sort.” Some commentators are worried that high profile
Nigerians, who occupy about 80% of British Airways first class flights, show unflinching brand loyalty to British
Airways. The questions that agitate the mind are: how can RNC get this caliber of Nigerians to dump British
Airways? How exactly does the coalition intend to go about enforcing the boycott? One analysts said, the second
phase of the campaign will entail the naming and shaming of ‘’unpatriotic Nigerians who continue to patronize
BA’’.
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British Airway Deploys Armoured Personnel Carriers to Quell Peaceful Protest in Lagos
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