Delta CP seeks collaboration to tackle cultism, herdsmen menace

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herdsmen

The menace of cultists and the excesses of herdsmen rocking Delta State need the partnership of the local vigilance and community heads to curb criminality in Ughelli and its environs.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, said this at a security summit held yesterday at Ughelli ‘A’ Division.According to him, “We are allowing the local community to have a say in the decision making and this makes the police to respond promptly to distress calls.

“Aside kidnapping, the command had received cases of sexual harassment, raping and killing by suspected herdsmen and these are issues that need to be addressed urgently.”

Also, a member representing Ughelli Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Samuel Mariere said that a bill is before the state House of Assembly and once passed, the menace of herdsmen will be checkmated across the state.

Ughelli ‘A’ Division DPO, Jonathan Acha, who described the activities of herdsmen and cultists in the state as worrisome, said: “If we continue to over-look the activities of cultism in the society, we would end up losing the lives of our youths. As for the herdsmen, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed on a round table.”

Acha said security activities should be taken as everybody’s business, if Ughelli must be free from hostage by cultists and herdsmen.He noted that community policing all over the world is the engine room for proactive management of crimes at the community level in any geographical location; adding that this basic fact is not new in the Nigeria policing system, but in all, the system until now, never encouraged open relationship with community vigilantes.

Similarly, the member representing Ethiope East Constituency, Delta State House of Assembly, Evance Ivwurie, has said that the desert across the River Ethiope called Ovre-Abraka has become a safe haven for herdsmen as all kinds of criminal activities was being perpetrated in the place, saying that failure on the part of the government to comb the area with a view to unraveling the activities of the herdsmen, remained detrimental to Abraka people.

Ivwurie spoke at the security meeting in Abraka with the President-General of the kingdom, youths, men, women and security operatives in the area.
According to him, the desert “seems to be a big community where various kinds of criminal activities thrive.’’

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lyHmCV

Onukaba Ojo, former MD of Daily Times dies at 57

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Adinoyi Onukaba Ojo

• Atiku, Saraki, NUJ, others mourn
• Scholars task FG on roads, security

Former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr. Adinoyi Onukaba Ojo is dead. He was killed in a motor accident caused by armed robbers who blocked the Akure-Abuja highway.

The late Ojo, who was former Senior Special Assistant on Media to former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, died in Akure about 10:00p.m on Sunday.The former Aviation correspondent of The Guardian was returning to Abuja from Abeokuta where he attended the inauguration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

The Guardian learnt that Ojo, who left Abeokuta with some of his friends lost his life after about 10 minutes drive from Akure. It was gathered that when the driver sighted armed robbers robbing passengers he quickly stopped the car and the occupants dashed into the bush but Onukaba was not so lucky as he was crushed by an oncoming vehicle in an attempt to cross to the other side of the road.

One of his relations, Yusuf Itopa, who is former Chief Press Secretary to the former deputy governor of Kogi State, Chief Philip Salawu, confirmed his death to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

Meanwhile, Nigerian scholars have continued to react to the death of Ojo. They enjoined the Federal Government to improve roads and the security situation in the country to forestall loss of lives.

Former Dean, School of Communication, Lagos State University, Prof. Lai Oso, said Onukaba’s death was a big loss to Nigerian Journalism and the literary world.

Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Deji Elumoye, described the late Onukaba as a consummate journalist and the best in the country on the aviation during his time.

Head of Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos, Dr. Sunday Oloruntola, said it was a very sad event, as Onukaba was a very young, brilliant, dynamic journalist.”

However, Atiku and Senate president, Bukola Saraki are among prominent Nigerians mourning the death of Ojo. While Atiku described his death as shocking and painful beyond words, Saraki described him as a quintessential intellectual, consummate administrator, complete gentleman and a detribalized Nigerian.

Also, Co-founder of Taijo Wonukabe Limited, Mr. Taiwo Ojo, who was still in shock over the incident, said Ojo death was painful, adding: “We will keep his memory alive.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mQl0gw

Osinbajo visits Edo, pledges new way of doing things in Niger Delta (Read full details)

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Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II (left), Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki during Osinbajo’s visit to Edo State…yesterday

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday continued his peace tour of the Niger Delta with a visit to Edo State where he said the Federal Government was committed to a new way of doing things, especially in the oil producing communities and other parts of the country.

He stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City where representatives of the three oil producing local government areas in the state and other interest groups discussed the way forward for peace and development.

Osinbajo remained calm even when some youths from Ijaw-speaking areas of the state staged a protest against neglect and abandonment in the state. The protest halted activities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Hall at the Ogbemudia College (formally New Era College) venue of the meeting for more than 15 minutes before normalcy was restored.

The acting president said President Muhammadu Buhari was worried about the situation in the Niger Delta and that was why the government organised several stakeholders’ meetings in the region last year.

Osinbajo lamented: “When you look at the books I can tell you how much has been voted into projects in several of our communities yet there is no sign of projects supposed to have been completed.”

He added: “We are trying to understand what the issues are. Everywhere I look, the story is same, many people have been deprived and corruption has deprived the people of the oil communities of infrastructural development.”

Osinbajo maintained: “This is an important engagement, we are not taking it lightly at all. The time we have spent in the past few days going from communities to communities shows that it is a serious engagement. We are committed to every one of the things we say we want to do.”

On abandoned projects, the acting president said the Federal Government, with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), had directed contractors, who have abandoned their jobs to go back to site. “We must make sure that anybody who was given a job and abandoned it be brought to book.”

There was a disruption of the programme when Osinbajo received a telephone call from President Buhari, when the chairman of the Environment Rights Action (ERA) Nnimmo Bassey was on the microphone and he was asked to stop. It was then that the programme moderator informed the audience that the acting president needed to be excused to receive a call from the president.Host Governor Godwin Obaseki said the mild interruption was a reflection of the feeling of neglect by the people of the region.

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Osinbajo visits Edo, pledges new way of doing things in Niger Delta

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Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II (left), Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki during Osinbajo’s visit to Edo State…yesterday

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday continued his peace tour of the Niger Delta with a visit to Edo State where he said the Federal Government was committed to a new way of doing things, especially in the oil producing communities and other parts of the country.

He stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City where representatives of the three oil producing local government areas in the state and other interest groups discussed the way forward for peace and development.

Osinbajo remained calm even when some youths from Ijaw-speaking areas of the state staged a protest against neglect and abandonment in the state. The protest halted activities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Hall at the Ogbemudia College (formally New Era College) venue of the meeting for more than 15 minutes before normalcy was restored.

The acting president said President Muhammadu Buhari was worried about the situation in the Niger Delta and that was why the government organised several stakeholders’ meetings in the region last year.

Osinbajo lamented: “When you look at the books I can tell you how much has been voted into projects in several of our communities yet there is no sign of projects supposed to have been completed.”

He added: “We are trying to understand what the issues are. Everywhere I look, the story is same, many people have been deprived and corruption has deprived the people of the oil communities of infrastructural development.”

Osinbajo maintained: “This is an important engagement, we are not taking it lightly at all. The time we have spent in the past few days going from communities to communities shows that it is a serious engagement. We are committed to every one of the things we say we want to do.”

On abandoned projects, the acting president said the Federal Government, with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), had directed contractors, who have abandoned their jobs to go back to site. “We must make sure that anybody who was given a job and abandoned it be brought to book.”

There was a disruption of the programme when Osinbajo received a telephone call from President Buhari, when the chairman of the Environment Rights Action (ERA) Nnimmo Bassey was on the microphone and he was asked to stop. It was then that the programme moderator informed the audience that the acting president needed to be excused to receive a call from the president.Host Governor Godwin Obaseki said the mild interruption was a reflection of the feeling of neglect by the people of the region.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mQieba

FG urges Jonathan to stop buck-passing on Chibok girls

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The Federal Government has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to stop passing the buck over the Chibok girls who were abducted under his administration.

It described Jonathan’s blame game as an unnecessary distraction from ongoing effort to secure the release of the girls who remained in captivity long after they were abducted.

A British newspaper had during the weekend reported that the British armed forces offered to help the country to rescue the girls but such offers were rebuffed by Jonathan.

However, Jonathan while reacting to the report in a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, said: “Some people who have obviously been playing politics with the issue of the Chibok girls will stop at nothing to further their interest.”

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said while Jonathan reserves the right to defend his administration, he should not engage in finger-pointing because if anyone ever played politics with the issue of Chibok girls, it was the Jonathan’s administration under whose watch the girls were abducted.

He said: “After the girls were kidnapped and the Jonathan administration did nothing for 15 days or made any determined effort to rescue them, the then opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) told the nation that the Boko Haram crisis was allowed to escalate by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government so they can use it as a political tool ahead of the 2015 elections.”

The minister added that the APC had in a statement on September 8, 2014 said that PDP’s political manipulation of the Boko Haram had to be understood as part of its poker-like calculus for clinging to power ahead of the 2015 elections.

“The Boko Haram crisis was used by the PDP to rationalize the government’s abdication of its constitutional responsibilities, including visits and assistance to areas affected, as well as effective response to abductions. For instance, the then government was silent over the kidnap of the Chibok girls for over 15 days,” he added.

“Two-and-a-half years after that statement, we have been vindicated by the report that claimed that Jonathan rebuffed an attempt by the British government to help rescue the girls. We hope Jonathan will now refrain from stoking further controversy over the lingering abduction issue and allow the government of the day to focus on its ongoing negotiations to release the Chibok girls,” Mohammed said.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mvJsTB

FG urges Jonathan to stop buck-passing on Chibok girls (Read full details)

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The Federal Government has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to stop passing the buck over the Chibok girls who were abducted under his administration.

It described Jonathan’s blame game as an unnecessary distraction from ongoing effort to secure the release of the girls who remained in captivity long after they were abducted.

A British newspaper had during the weekend reported that the British armed forces offered to help the country to rescue the girls but such offers were rebuffed by Jonathan.

However, Jonathan while reacting to the report in a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, said: “Some people who have obviously been playing politics with the issue of the Chibok girls will stop at nothing to further their interest.”

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said while Jonathan reserves the right to defend his administration, he should not engage in finger-pointing because if anyone ever played politics with the issue of Chibok girls, it was the Jonathan’s administration under whose watch the girls were abducted.

He said: “After the girls were kidnapped and the Jonathan administration did nothing for 15 days or made any determined effort to rescue them, the then opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) told the nation that the Boko Haram crisis was allowed to escalate by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government so they can use it as a political tool ahead of the 2015 elections.”

The minister added that the APC had in a statement on September 8, 2014 said that PDP’s political manipulation of the Boko Haram had to be understood as part of its poker-like calculus for clinging to power ahead of the 2015 elections.

“The Boko Haram crisis was used by the PDP to rationalize the government’s abdication of its constitutional responsibilities, including visits and assistance to areas affected, as well as effective response to abductions. For instance, the then government was silent over the kidnap of the Chibok girls for over 15 days,” he added.

“Two-and-a-half years after that statement, we have been vindicated by the report that claimed that Jonathan rebuffed an attempt by the British government to help rescue the girls. We hope Jonathan will now refrain from stoking further controversy over the lingering abduction issue and allow the government of the day to focus on its ongoing negotiations to release the Chibok girls,” Mohammed said.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lQtuiJ

Varsity students declare three-day prayer for Buhari (Read full details)

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President Muhammadu Buhari.

Forum, NGO hold supplication in Akure, Gombe

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has set aside three days of prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and his early return to the country.

NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said Nigerian students would within the three days starting from Wednesday, February 8, 2017 join other patriotic citizens to intercede on behalf of the President who is on medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

According to him: “As leaders of tomorrow and champions of a better Nigeria, we should not be left out in the national call for prayers for the President.”

Also, a political platform, Sunshine Integrity Forum (SIF) has urged Nigerians to pray for good health for the President so that “his task of cleansing the country of corruption to engender socio-economic development” can be successfully completed.

The platform is a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which is under the leadership of Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice who represents Ondo North in the upper legislative chamber, stated this during a prayer session it organised for the president in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday.

Leading the prayers, Pastor Kehinde Zacheaus of Complete Bible Church expressed optimism that “President Buhari will live to fulfill the good purpose of God for Nigerians.”

Personalities who attended the event at Boroffice’s former campaign office were the ex-Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Kenneth Olawale, Chief Bailey Arohunmolase, Mrs. Julie Ajegunmo, Mrs. Nireti Akinyele, Messrs Dayo Bello and Olusola Aturu among other APC politicians.

Boroffice, in a speech delivered by Elder Ebenezer Ogunrinde, urged Nigerians to support President Buhari in the task of rebuilding the country.And in Gombe, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community for Peace and Corrupt-free Society, Nigeria yesterday held special prayers for President Buhari and the nation.

Speaking at the prayer session, the National Chairman of the society, Zakari Ahmed, said it is part of their responsibility as Nigerians to pray for the speedy recovery of the President and the country’s development.

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, who was represented by Alhaji Lamido Abubakar thanked the organisers, the clerics and the participants for their cooperation.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mzgFxL

ICCN, NNEW seek gender equality, empowerment for women

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Gender Equality

The International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) and NECA’S Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) have called for more involvement of women in all strata of the nation’s economy as well as within the decision-making bodies of government at various levels.

Besides, the groups also seek more women empowerment and gender equality to ensure inclusive and quality education for all.To ensure that its views are not taken with kid’s gloves the organizations said this year worldwide International Women’s Day, which is slated for March 8 will critically address the issue and other similar ones affecting women.

Besides, it said this year’s theme: “Be bold for change” was informed by the need to encourage women to rise up to leadership challenges among other critical roles where women have not been adequately represented.

Speaking in Lagos, NNEW President, Oyekunle Modupe, said the idea of the theme is to consider how to accelerate the 2030 agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new sustainable development goals, especially to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

She added: “It will also ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning and on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.

“The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

Given the strategic importance of the theme for this year celebration, she hinted that the keynote speaker Mrs Dorothy Ufot (SAN) and plenary session speakers that include Dr (Mrs) Omolara Akanji, Mrs Amina Zanna Ibrahim, Hon (Mrs) Doyin Ogunbiyi were carefully selected in recognition of their wealth of experience in various sectors of the economy. The event will also reflect the world of work, which is changing, and with significant implications for women.

She added: “On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolution and the opportunities they bring, and on the other hand, the growing informality of labour, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment.”

International Labour Organisation, Unity Bank Plc., Vlisco Nigeria, PZ Cusson and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) are sponsoring the event.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mgmLC7

Heavy rain locks down Lagos

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Mushin during yesterday’s rain

It was a wet day in Lagos yesterday following a heavy downpour in many parts of the commercial city. The rain, which started around 11a.m. lasted for over an hour.

At Herbert Macaulay area of Yaba, there was serious flooding on both sides of the road, thereby causing some gridlock on some road artery long after the rain ended. Commuters were also stranded and some cars broke down on the road.

The drainage around Herbert Macaulay, Surulere, Ikorodu Road and other areas in the Lagos metropolis were also blocked, thereby making it difficult for the rainwater to flow easily.

Eyewitnesses, who were caught in the rain yesterday expressed serious concerns over the poor drainage system and urged Governor Ambode to take drastic measures to address the problem.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly had last month advised residents of flood-prone parts of the state to look for alternative accommodations to prevent flood-related hazards.

Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Setonji David, called for respect for government regulations on physical planning.

He said: “Residents should consider their safety and the safety of others when they are building. It is not safe to build without approval. Building on waterlogged areas is suicidal; building on waterways or close to a canal is bad. We should make safety a priority.“We are appealing to all residents to build according to plans and obey the regulations on physical planning.’’

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mdufnR

Varsity students declare three-day prayer for Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari.

Forum, NGO hold supplication in Akure, Gombe

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has set aside three days of prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and his early return to the country.

NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said Nigerian students would within the three days starting from Wednesday, February 8, 2017 join other patriotic citizens to intercede on behalf of the President who is on medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

According to him: “As leaders of tomorrow and champions of a better Nigeria, we should not be left out in the national call for prayers for the President.”

Also, a political platform, Sunshine Integrity Forum (SIF) has urged Nigerians to pray for good health for the President so that “his task of cleansing the country of corruption to engender socio-economic development” can be successfully completed.

The platform is a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, which is under the leadership of Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice who represents Ondo North in the upper legislative chamber, stated this during a prayer session it organised for the president in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday.

Leading the prayers, Pastor Kehinde Zacheaus of Complete Bible Church expressed optimism that “President Buhari will live to fulfill the good purpose of God for Nigerians.”

Personalities who attended the event at Boroffice’s former campaign office were the ex-Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Kenneth Olawale, Chief Bailey Arohunmolase, Mrs. Julie Ajegunmo, Mrs. Nireti Akinyele, Messrs Dayo Bello and Olusola Aturu among other APC politicians.

Boroffice, in a speech delivered by Elder Ebenezer Ogunrinde, urged Nigerians to support President Buhari in the task of rebuilding the country.And in Gombe, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community for Peace and Corrupt-free Society, Nigeria yesterday held special prayers for President Buhari and the nation.

Speaking at the prayer session, the National Chairman of the society, Zakari Ahmed, said it is part of their responsibility as Nigerians to pray for the speedy recovery of the President and the country’s development.

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, who was represented by Alhaji Lamido Abubakar thanked the organisers, the clerics and the participants for their cooperation.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mQdAKc

Protest at UNILAG over rustication, others

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UNILAG

Institution denies students’ involvement

Movements in and out of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, were yesterday disrupted by protesting students who were demanding for immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the 11 executive members of the institution’s students union.

The protesters, who defied the heavy rain, barricaded the university main gate hindering students and visitors from entering the premises. Other demands include a call to lift the “illegal ban on the UNILAG Students Union” and “improvement in welfare and conducive learning environment.”

Besides, the students at the protest led by the leadership of the Lagos State Chapter of the Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA), asked the management of the institution to retract the indemnity forms it mandated students to sign and stop attacks on activists and unionism.

Meanwhile, Deputy Registrar, Information Unit of the institution, Toyin Adebule, in a telephone conversation with The Guardian, denied that the protesters are UNILAG students.

According to him: “The protesters are activists and rusticated students who lost their case in court. Now that they have lost in court, they put up the jankara protest. We have issued a press statement to that effect informing the public that the University of Lagos students are not protesting. The gathering outside the gate consists of rusticated students and allies. They have challenged the university in court and the case has been struck out.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lWItIG

Protest at UNILAG over rustication, others (Read full details)

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UNILAG

Institution denies students’ involvement

Movements in and out of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, were yesterday disrupted by protesting students who were demanding for immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the 11 executive members of the institution’s students union.

The protesters, who defied the heavy rain, barricaded the university main gate hindering students and visitors from entering the premises. Other demands include a call to lift the “illegal ban on the UNILAG Students Union” and “improvement in welfare and conducive learning environment.”

Besides, the students at the protest led by the leadership of the Lagos State Chapter of the Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA), asked the management of the institution to retract the indemnity forms it mandated students to sign and stop attacks on activists and unionism.

Meanwhile, Deputy Registrar, Information Unit of the institution, Toyin Adebule, in a telephone conversation with The Guardian, denied that the protesters are UNILAG students.

According to him: “The protesters are activists and rusticated students who lost their case in court. Now that they have lost in court, they put up the jankara protest. We have issued a press statement to that effect informing the public that the University of Lagos students are not protesting. The gathering outside the gate consists of rusticated students and allies. They have challenged the university in court and the case has been struck out.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mQgIWF

Abuja airport shuts down tonight for N5.8b runway repair (Read full details)

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• Work still ongoing to fix electricity, seats, toilets at Kaduna

The Federal Government yesterday officially announced the temporary closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, for six-week rehabilitation work on its runway.

It was learnt that the repair exercise and logistics would cost N5.8bilion.The announcement was made jointly by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, his counterparts in Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Aviation, Hadi Sirika, yesterday to put an end to weeks of speculations, debates and apprehension on a likely postponement of the closure date given the state of preparedness at the Kaduna Airport.

Mohammed said the airport, which would be closed for six weeks would be officially shut from 12 a.m. today.Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the Federal Government had fulfilled its promise to make the Kaduna Airport available and ready as an alternative.

However, workers still need to fit electricity, seating and toilets to a new terminal at the Kaduna Airport, which will handle the capital’s air traffic but lacks capacity.

Most floor and ceiling tiles have been fitted and all air conditioning units have been installed, but electrical fittings remain work-in-progress, chairs for the arrival and departure areas lie strewn about and a car park expansion is incomplete.

“Contractors are working day and night,” said an official from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who is not authorised to talk publicly on the matter.

This situation runs contrary to the statement of the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, who said in Abuja, the Kaduna Airport is now set for international operations.

According to Dunoma, “All the things we need for international operations are on ground. What is important actually is the safety equipment for the landing of the aircraft. We have seen the runway is good, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been installed and the terminal building is ready.

He added: “I think this is one of the luckiest airports. They have five generators as standby power supply. So we have more than enough.Also, Fola Akinkuotu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that once the Abuja Airport was closed, NAMA would deploy the mobile tower from the airport to Kaduna to complement what is already on ground.Akinkuotu said: “As far as this (Kaduna) airport is concerned, NAMA management is very satisfied that we have done a good job.

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At Ocholi’s memorial, Kogi indigenes lament non-inclusion in Buhari’s cabinet (Read full details)

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Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole (left); Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu Kazaure; Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba; Reverend Joyce Sam Amaga and son of the late Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Aaron Ocholi, during the first yearly public lecture and book presentation in honour of James Ocholi in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO LUCY LADIDI ELUKPO

Indigenes of Kogi State at the memorial of the late Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi, have lamented their non-representation in Buhari’s cabinet.

They said their expectation of naming Ocholi’s replacement on the Federal Executive Council (FEC) failed to happen.But speaking at the occasion in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Kazaure, said FEC members would purchase 500 copies of the book and also support the Ocholi James Trust.

Also, the guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Kabir Mato while eulogising the principles that Ocholi stood for, said that Nigerians must find it acceptable that the country is in this present state because of the activities, actions and inactions of past administrations.

He, therefore, cautioned that Nigerians must know that the desire for change has consequences and that the current hardship is part of the process that must be undergone.The Minster of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who chaired the occasion, stressed the need for Nigeria to get her values.

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