When on October 18, four Nigerian journalists were taken on board Turkish Airlines for a flight to Istanbul; it was like what the airline would want to do was to show off its newly acquired aircraft or any other facility. It was, however, not to be. The full import of the trip started showing on arrival in Istanbul. At the business class lounge of the airline on arrival, as we discussed Nigeria affairs, a voice from behind shouted, ‘big brother from Nigeria’. It was a Ghanaian journalist I met in South Africa and Kenya about two years ago.
Pleasantries and why are you here. It was for the same purpose. Soon, the delegates from Cameroon arrived, then the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Nigeriens. It dawned on us it would be an Africa affair. At the prestigious Raddaison Blu, in the heart of Istanbul where we were eventually quartered, 105 journalists, from across Africa and Pakistan were hosted by Turkish Airlines. The first discovery was that Radaasion Blu in Turkey was massive, well furnished and a splendor to live in. It is quite different from Lagos Radassion. It is in a class of its own. •Chairman Turkish Airline Liker Ayel •Chairman Turkish Airline Liker Ayel So, in the afternoon of arrival, a meeting was scheduled for the visiting journalists to meet with the Chairman of the airline.
As guests of Turkish Airlines, apparently Europe’s largest fleet in the air, the purpose of the visit, according to Mr. Ilker Aycl, was for the Africa media and the world at large to see first hand how safe Turkey has become since the botched coup attempt of July 15, 2016. He took a substantial part of his three-hour speech on the coup and the attack. Mr. Ilker Aycl said that Turkey was winning the war against its peculiar strain of terrorism and the country is now safe for travelers all over the world to fly in and out of Turkey. Aycl took advantage of the presence of the journalists in attendance to address a world press conference at the airline’s headquarters near Ataturk Airport.
Aycl said, “We are fighting against a new kind of terrorism championed by a man, an Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, living in a mansion in Pennsylvania in the United States. His people came into Turkey like philanthropists, setting up schools and doing charity. “But on July 15 this year the same people attempted to topple the government of Turkey. They had infiltrated the military, the police, government, and even here in Turkish Airlines just as former President Jonathan told Nigerians that Boko Haram had infiltrated into his government, army and police.
“Investigations revealed that there were over 60,000 of them in government. Only 1,000 have so far been sacked against the widely reported massive clamp down on opponents in Turkey. There are hundreds of them within Turkish Airlines and we are already relieving them of their jobs, and we are keeping our environment, our operations and our country safe”. In Turkey, Gulen’s followers are officially referred to as FETO – Fethullahist Terror Organisation. One very interesting thing about the meeting with Aycl was that he was very passionate about the coup and the feelings of Turks and for the most part of the three hour conference, Aycl spoke about the attempted coup, branding it as a new strain of terrorism against the government and people of Turkey.
He also urged journalists to forewarn their home governments of possible similar Gulenists’ infiltration. He said in very clear terms: “What happened to us here before and during the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016 may happen in other parts of the world. Please warn the governments in your countries to be careful too”. Tired and bored by continued hammering on the coup and terror, two Nigerian and a Ghanaian journalists asked why he was dwelling so much on the coup and perceived terrorism issues as if hired by government to speak on its behalf? Aycl simply replied again with passion: “This is a coup against the people of Turkey. These terrorists that came as philanthropists spent tens of billions of dollars to infiltrate our ranks. You must be careful in your countries too. The failed coup attempt was a direct attack on the citizens, businesses and stability of our peaceful country. “In this kind of situation, one must speak out and condemn such mindless acts of terrorism.
The coup affected the flights, operations, and revenue and expansion plans of Turkish Airlines. So you can understand my passion. But we invited you all here to come and see things for yourselves. Turkey is absolutely safe now, both as a travel hub and tourist destination. Help us to tell your people back home in your various countries the same good news.” The following day, the 105 journalists took a tour of the training facilities of the airline. It was amazing the level of investment they have put into training air crews, hostesses, and pilots. At the moment, the airline has 10 simulators and it hopes to acquire additional 18.
The simulators are according to the type of aircraft being operated by the airline. Thus far, the airline boasts of about 4, 500 pilots that fly to various destinations in Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa. The airline is particularly well positioned as nature has given the country the advantage of being part in Europe and part in Asia. It is usually referred to as Eurasia. The over 100 journalists had a fun-filled boat cruise October 21, 2016. They criss-crossed both the European and Asian parts that make up Turkey’s most populous city, Istanbul. In fact 97 per cent of Istanbul is in Asia while three percent is in Europe.
The two are linked with a suspended bridge that is a beauty to behold. During the boat cruise the journalists learned some of Istanbul’s rich history between the boat cruise and bus rides, from two tour guides, who simply identified themselves as Hakan and AJ. Mr. Liker Ayel, Chairman Turkish airline in Istanbul, explaining a point. Istanbul by their account is historically known as Constantinople and Byzantium. It is Turkey’s economic, cultural, and historic centre. Istanbul is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, straddling the Bosphorus strait, which separates Europe and Asia, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Istanbul’s commercial and historical center lies on the European side and about a third of its population lives on the Asian side we were told.
It ranks as the world’s 7th-largest city and Europe’s largest. While on the short boat cruise, several magnificent sights struck everyone. One of them is the Ciragan, the other Beylerbeyi palaces – both built as summer mansions smack on the sea line of Marmara and then the intercontinental suspension bridge built in 1974. Beylerbeyi palace according to the tour guide was initially the residence of the Governor General of Anatolia, but between 1861-1865, Sultan Abdulaziz ordered architects Sarkis Balyan and Agop Balyan to rebuild it as a palace in the traditional Ottoman house style. Journalists were given a guided tour of its throne, bath, bed, living, dining and waiting rooms of opulence. Beylerbeyi is built on two main floors and a basement containing kitchens and storage, and was divided into two sections; Selamlik (men’s section) and Harem.
There are a total of three entrances, six state rooms and 26 smaller rooms. The Ciragan palace takes its name from the word “cerag” which means ‘torch’ in Persian. The area in which the Palace is located was called ‘Ceragan’ because of the famous Ottoman parties which were held in tulip gardens with torches. The palace was built during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecit and was designed by the Armenian architect Serkis Balyan. The building was constructed using the financial loans that were obtained for restructuring the water system of Istanbul and the construction of a new railway the tour guide said. The construction took 12 years.
This is the last palace built by the Ottoman Empire for the royal family. The site has been converted to a fine hotel and the other surviving buildings are now schools while the palace has become a tourist attraction. If you are planning to visit Turkey however, be ready to face traffic deadlock in the heart of the city. It can be worse than central London on a busy day. It is not because of bad roads, but because of heavy traffic from Europe and Asia. There are good hotels, the people are hospitable and you certainly will find good foods made in Turkey.
Good luck to you.
