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Aviation Minister promises completion of outstanding projects before 2023
Aviation Minister promises completion of outstanding projects before 2023
The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has promised to complete outstanding projects in the industry before the present administration completes its tenure by 2023.
Sirika made gave the assurance during the 25th Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony organised by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was: “Nigeria’s Aviation Industry: Management, Policy and Regulations”.
The minister noted that the President Muhamadu Buhari administration had a vision of a sector that would provide utmost comfort, safety and security for majority of passenger before his tenure ran out.
Sirika, represented by the Commissioner for Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Mr Akin Olateru also pledged to urgently improve operating environment for airlines operating in the country.
The minister said that the ministry was in consultation with relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to bring succor to the airlines.
Sirika highlighted that the ministry had been able to achieve zero import duties on aircraft engine, spare parts and special foreign exchange window for the aviation sector.
He said: “We have improved availability of aviation fuel in the industry and it had restructured the aviation agencies.
“Others are the improvement in aviation safety and security, upgrade of NCAT into a Regional Centre of Excellence.
“And we have achieved the introduction of policies on Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Employment Policies on the Enforcement of Expatriate Quota.”
Sirika noted that Nigeria presently had Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with 89 countries.
He added that 15 countries had already indicated their preparedness to sign BASAs with the country while 13 other countries were in the threshold of renegotiation.
The minister said in 2016, after it had conducted a diagnosis of the aviation industry, he convened a conference of all stakeholders where they emerged with a very clear road map.
Sirika said the roadmap was for the development of the aviation sector with the ultimate aim of making aviation highly relevant to the Nigerian economy.
He said: “However, as you are aware, COVID-19 has put the global economy to the test, with air transport being undoubtedly the hardest hit by the pandemic.
“The statistics from the International Airline Transport Association (IATA) on COVID-19’s economic impact on Nigeria has revealed a revenue loss of 994 million dollars in 2020.
“In terms of employment at risk in Nigeria, it is 125,370 and loss of contribution to the GDP is 885 million dollars.”
Sirika said that the Federal Government was able to cushion the effects of the pandemic by providing intervention of fund of N5 billion for domestic airlines.
The minister said they could not have achieved all these without the cooperation, constructive criticism and great understanding of everybody in the industry.
The Chairman of the occasion, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, commended the organisers for the choice of the theme, adding that there could not be a better time to discuss burning issues like this in an industry that was battling too many oppressive forces.
Mshelia, the Chairman of Westlink Airlines, said these forces were both manmade and natural.
“The natural is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated, not only the Aviation sector nay Nigeria alone. It is a scourge that shook every sector with devastating effects globally beginning from early 2020.
“As we all know, Aviation standards, management, policy and regulations on the global stage is over – sighted and supervised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“Every country that is signatory, sends a representative to the ICAO council. I believe, therefore, that the motive of this theme will be to review, dissect,” he said.
Mshelia said the theme would also fine tune some of our existing policies and practices, which were in conflict with global norms and also affected our collective growth. (NAN)
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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