News
Enugu Air Partners Jands Travel Business School to Promote Tourism, Investment
Enugu State Government-owned airline, Enugu Air, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Jands Travel Business School (JTBS), an Enugu-based private travel, leisure and hospitality training institution, to promote Enugu State as a destination for leisure, business, investment and innovation.
The agreement was signed at Ifennia Court, Independence Layout, Enugu, ahead of the 2026 edition of the Domestic Tourism Festival (DTF), organised by Jands Travel Business School.
The three-day festival is scheduled to hold at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, from September 4 to 6, 2026, with the theme, “Innovation and Technology for Peaceful Domestic Tourism.”
The event is expected to attract about 2,000 delegates, including more than 300 travel agencies from across Nigeria, tourism boards, airlines, hospitality operators, investors and international guests.
Activities at the festival will include tourism exhibitions, business networking, cultural displays and performances, among others.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, which was attended by representatives of Enugu Air led by its Chief Operating Officer, Ugonna Agubuokwu, and members of the Jands Travel Business School Board of Trustees led by its Chairman, Chief Ben Etiaba, Etiaba described the partnership as an honour and an opportunity to promote tourism and aviation in Enugu State.
He said the agreement went beyond a Memorandum of Understanding, describing it as a shared vision aimed at building bridges between education and industry, tourism and aviation, as well as aspiration and opportunity.
“Tourism has become one of the world’s fastest-growing economic sectors. It creates jobs, stimulates entrepreneurship, preserves culture, strengthens national identity, and contributes significantly to economic growth.
“Yet, for tourism to thrive, it requires reliable transportation, skilled professionals, innovative partnerships and visionary leadership,” Etiaba said.
He said the forthcoming Domestic Tourism Festival would provide an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while showcasing Enugu as a destination for leisure, business, investment and innovation.
Etiaba added that the partnership between Enugu Air and Jands Travel Business School demonstrated what could be achieved when government initiatives and private-sector institutions worked together.
He said the collaboration aligned with the vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for commerce, tourism, investment and ease of doing business.
According to him, improvements in infrastructure, security and connectivity across the state had created a solid foundation for partnerships that could drive tourism and economic growth.
He also commended Enugu Air for embracing the partnership at an early stage of the airline’s operations, saying its support for tourism and human capital development demonstrated its commitment to the development of Enugu State and Nigeria.
“I am confident that this partnership will become a model of successful collaboration and will contribute meaningfully to the growth of tourism, aviation and economic development in our state and our nation,” he said.
On her part, the Director of Jands Travel Business School, Mrs Chioma Obi, expressed appreciation for the partnership, saying it would help drive the development of tourism, aviation and hospitality in the state.
She said the collaboration reflected the shared commitment of both organisations to promoting tourism, improving connectivity and positioning Enugu as a preferred destination for tourism, business and investment.
Obi noted that the Domestic Tourism Festival, now in its third edition, had become a growing national platform for tourism development, bringing together government agencies, private-sector organisations, travel professionals, investors, academia and development partners.
She said last year’s edition attracted 1,287 participants, while the 2026 edition was expected to draw more than 2,000 delegates, including over 300 travel agencies from across Nigeria, tourism boards, airlines, hospitality operators, investors, media organisations and international guests.
“Enugu Air is more than an airline—it is a gateway to our destination. By becoming the Official Destination Airline Partner of DTF 2026, Enugu Air will help make travel to Enugu easier while connecting directly with hundreds of travel professionals, tourism stakeholders, corporate organisations and decision-makers from across the country,” she said.
Obi added that the partnership would strengthen Jands Travel Business School’s mission of showcasing Enugu’s tourism potential, attracting investment and creating new opportunities for businesses within the tourism value chain.
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Enugu Air, Ugonna Agubuokwu, expressed delight over the partnership and commended Jands Travel Business School for its efforts to promote tourism.
He assured the organisers that Enugu Air would work to ensure the success of the September festival.
“As an airline, we are honoured to be at this event. We all know what tourism brings to our economy. It promotes growth and development, tells the story of who we are and, above all, generates revenue.
“On the strength of this event, we shall use it as a gateway to showcase our routes and domestic destinations. That is why we are happy to be part of this great event,” Agubuokwu said.
He promised that the September 4–6 festival would be a major success for both Jands Travel Business School and Enugu Air.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, with several major generals and brigadier generals redeployed to key command, operational and administrative positions.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Major General IA Ajose has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He moves from the Department of Army Operations at Army Headquarters to take charge of military operations against insurgency in the North-East.
Other notable appointments include:
Major General AE Abubakar — Dean, Faculty of Operational Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General AM Alechenu — Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General RT Utsaha — Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Major General AM Umar — Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.
Major General UM Alkali — Director, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed — Director General, Nigerian Army Finance Corporation.
Major General JE Osifo — Chairman, Military Pension Board.
Major General IE Ekpenyong — Director of Engineering Services, Defence Logistics, Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affects several brigadier generals, including Brigadier General AA Bello, Brigadier General MS Adamu, Brigadier General MS Sule, Brigadier General I Sule, Brigadier General E Azenda and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who have all been assigned to new command or administrative roles.
The Chief of Army Staff directed the newly posted officers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of duty.
More than 24 feared dead in suspected poisoning incident in Ondo
More than 24 people have reportedly died following a suspected poisoning incident in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deaths were recorded in Araromi-Obu, Orita New Town and Odigbo communities, while several other residents affected by the incident are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the incident but said he could not provide further details until medical experts conduct a professional assessment and determine the cause of the deaths and illnesses.
As a precaution, the local government has restricted the sale and consumption of sachet herbal concoctions and similar drinks being hawked in the affected communities.
Residents have been advised to avoid suspicious herbal mixtures, unverified sachet products and other substances of uncertain origin pending the outcome of medical examinations and laboratory tests.
Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the source of the suspected poisoning and confirm the exact cause of the deaths.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Residents of Umudimishi Village, Umuoru, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the worsening menace of gully erosion allegedly caused by illegal and unregulated sand mining activities in the community.
The villagers said about 120 buildings are currently threatened by the expanding gully, with some residents already making arrangements to relocate for fear of losing their homes to the erosion.
In the petition addressed to Governor Soludo and copied to the state Ministries of Environment and Works, the villagers alleged that the activities of sand miners posed a serious threat to human lives, property and the continued existence of the community.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of Umudimishi Development Union, Nze Ibeabuchi Umeugochukwu, stated that several homes in the area were located only a few metres from the mining sites and had consequently become vulnerable to erosion.
The villagers said: “Many homesteads in Umudimishi are close to and along the line of mining by few metres and, as a result, stand eroded in the course of this ecological problem fueled by unregulated sand mining.”
They further alleged that the erosion menace was largely triggered by human activities, particularly unregulated sand mining along the Aguata-Orumba axis, where they said the soil structure was highly susceptible to erosion.
According to them, “Erosion menace is being triggered by human factor of unregulated sand mining, especially as it is in Aguata-Orumba Axis where the sand structure is prone to erosion, which is the major environmental hazard in the region.”
The community also claimed that sand mining had become the major source of environmental crises affecting Umudimishi Quarter, Umuoru Village and Uga generally.
Beyond the environmental consequences, the villagers expressed concern that the availability of quick money from sand mining was discouraging youths from learning vocational skills.
They said many youths now preferred sand mining to acquiring skills, while the worsening erosion had also discouraged residents and prospective investors from establishing businesses in the area.
The villagers therefore appealed to Governor Soludo to permanently shut down the mining sites in Umudimishi to prevent further deterioration of the already deplorable environmental situation.
They also urged the governor to direct the appropriate agency of the Anambra State Government to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion sites and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to tackle the problem and reclaim lands already lost to erosion.
The petitioners said urgent intervention by the state government was necessary to protect lives, homes and the remaining land in the community from further destruction.
News
Major Generals to Receive Up to ₦25.91m Yearly as Tinubu Approves New Military Pension Structure
The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, effective September 1, 2026.
The approval was communicated in a circular issued on September 3 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Under the new structure, the highest-ranking officers—Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals—have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps. The highest figure is equivalent to about ₦2.48 million monthly when divided by 12.
Other approved pensionable salary ranges include:
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals: ₦16.99m–₦25.91m annually.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals: ₦14.98m–₦23.9m.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores: ₦13.86m–₦16.39m.
Colonels, Captains and Group Captains: ₦8.31m–₦9.49m.
Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders: ₦7.55m–₦8.74m.
Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders: ₦5.99m–₦7.01m.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants: ₦5.28m–₦6.42m.
Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers: ₦4.92m–₦5.59m.
The new schedule also covers non-commissioned personnel. Warrant Officers have pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million annually, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen fall within the range of ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million.
The government, however, clarified that the figures are pensionable salaries used to calculate retirement benefits and should not be interpreted as the actual monthly salaries or take-home pay of serving military personnel.
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