Protest @ British Airways Head Office

Respect Nigerians coalition (RNC) to hold a peaceful protest at the British Airways Corporate headquarters, Harmondsworth on Wednesday 17th  September 2008

12:00pm

British Airways Plc
Waterside (HAA3)
Harmondsworth

UB7 0GB

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

This is to inform you of our intention to hold a peaceful demonstration at the Waterside Corporate Headquarters of British Airway Plc at Harmondsworth, London following the airline's persistent refusal to do what is right by Mr Ayodeji Omotade and the Nigerian passengers whom its officials treated in a disrespectful, discriminatory, dehumanizing and racist manner on March 27, 2008 aboard Flight BA 075 from London Heathrow to Lagos, Nigeria. You are all aware of what happened on that day and you are all aware of the position we have adopted since Tuesday, April 15, 2008 when we made certain demands of BA, including following up with a declaration of a worldwide boycott of the airline's goods and services by Nigerians and well-wishers of Nigeria since May 15, 2008 when they refused to heed those demands.

Despite our attempt to let British Airways see reason, including holding a peaceful protest at their Lagos headquarters, discussing with their Executives in Nigeria, writing to their shareholders here in London and meeting and discussing with some of them at the venue of their AGM, the company insists on playing dumb. Indeed, several attempts by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and some ministers of his government to let British Airways see reason have equally fallen on deaf ears.

We have therefore decided to take our Protest to their world headquarters with the hope that those at the very top of the organisation will understand better our demands and address them. We shall be there on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 (12.00 midday) to hold that peaceful protest outside the company's headquarters. The address is:

The following day, Thursday, September 18, 2008, we shall also be at the Uxbridge Magistrates Court where the trial of Mr Ayodeji Omotade is to resume at 10.00 a.m. on that day. The address of the Court is:

Uxbridge Magistrates Court
The Court House, Harefield Road
Uxbridge UB8 1PQ

For the avoidance of doubt, our demands on British Airways remain that they:

- tender a clear and well-worded apology to all passengers affected by their discriminatory and intimidatory conduct aboard flight BA075 on 27 March, 2008 in a Nigerian national newspaper;

- tender a clear and well-worded written 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 on the day;

- withdraw all adverse statements made to the police about Mr. Ayodeji Omotade over this incident;

- lift the ban imposed on Mr Ayodeji Omotade, even as he would still retain his right to decide whether or not to fly British Airways in the future, and

- issue an undertaking that British Airways shall improve its customer care culture and desist from such practices that give the impression that the airline is arrogant, uncaring and discriminatory.

Nigerian passengers will be treated with respect within and outside Nigeria. Until British Airways addresses our demands, we shall continue with the Boycott British Airways Campaign which has been on since Thursday, May 15, 2008. It is our strong belief that British Airways must be made to behave like a good corporate citizen. We condemn the attitude of those who run its affairs so far and call on all decent people everywhere to continue to join and sustain the Boycott British Airways Campaign until they address our demands and learn to treat customers with dignity and respect.

The purpose of this note is to let you in the Press know of our programmes on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 and Thursday, 18 September 2008. We are grateful for your continued support as you have consistently kept this issue in public consciousness despite the airline's attempt to sweep it under the carpet. Please, publish this information in your reputable medium, because we are looking to have as many people of goodwill as possible show up at the protest and at the court. We look forward to seeing you at the venue of the peaceful protest and at the court.

Thank you once again for your continued support and God bless.
 
 
Signed:

Nosa Olotu

Tosin Awotesu
Michael Egbejumi-David