NiMet Boss attends 7th Aviation Africa Summit

By Emmanuel Daudu

At the Aviation Africa Summit, the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu whose office hosted his colleagues said NiMet is very passionate about Aviation because the art of flying, all depends on the prevailing weather and NiMet has the state of art equipment including Pilot briefing rooms across major airports in the country stressing that precision is the key, giving no room for substandard services. This explains why NiMet embraced ISO certification.

In a few hours from now the 7th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition which is co hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation and the Times Aerospace Events Limited, all Chief Executives of the various aviation parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development have lend their support for the successful hosting of the global event.

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Capt. Musa S. Nuhu disclosed that Nigeria got the right to host the 7th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition last year during the 6th edition held in Kigali, Rwanda. He said the event is an opportunity to showcase Nigerian aviation to the international global aufience

On his part, the Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Mr Kabir Yusuf Mohammad described the airport as a huge market and a gateway into the country.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo sees the upcoming event as a networking event, with over one billion people in Africa, there is a huge untapped potential, adding that though NAMA is currently in a transition stage, Odunowo emphasized that his agency would take advantage of the event, and reiterated that it’s a networking event.

The Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt Alkali Modibo

said the NCAT ACT of 2022 has given the institution the leverage to become a tertiary institution, which empowers them to start conducting training as a polytechnic.

Interrogating the essence of accident investigation, the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigations Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akin Olateru explained that it is to prevent reoccurrence, that if investigated in good time and appropriate safety recommendation is issued and implemeted , it will prevent a re – occurrence. He emphasized that it is a combination of many things that has really helped Nigeria, including all the service providers.

OPHK CIMIC ACTIVITIES: COMMANDER 5 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY DONATE BOOKS TO 3 LGA IN BORNO

Inline with the ongoing non kinetic efforts by the military to sustain the war against insurgency as well as to win the hearts and minds of members of the various host communities, the Commander 5 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) Gubio, Brigadier General Mutiu Abiola Oloyede, has on Thursday, 7 September, 2023, donated 950 exercise Books and other teaching aids to 3 Local Governments under the Brigade’s Area of Operation (AOR), which include Mobbar, Magumeri and Gubio Local Government areas of Borno State.
While presenting the items, Brigadier General Mutiu Abiola Oloyede said the donation of the books is part of the Brigade’s little contribution to enhance the quality of education of the children in the area and to also strengthen the existing mutual relationship between the military and the host community. He added that the military cannot achieve much without the cooperation of members of the community in the area, and further disclosed that the war against insurgency is a collective responsibility which the military cannot fight alone.
The books were received by the Chairmen of Mobbar and Gubio Local Government respectively while the Chairman of Magumeri Local Government was represented at the occasion. Speaking on behalf of the Chairmen, the Chairman Gubio LGA, Honourable Mali Bulama appreciated and applauded the Commander 5 Brigade for his kind gesture, love and concern for the well-being of indigenes and their children’s educational pursuit.
He averred that the military is doing marvelously well and this effort has seen the return of peace, tranquility and normalcy to their various communities. The Chairman continued his remarks by extolling the quality initiative of the Commander for his pragmatic and proactive leadership approach in promoting civil military relations and therefore reaffirmed the unalloyed supports of the 3 Local Government areas to the Army and other security agencies in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

NAF Boosts Technical Manpower As 628 Personnel Graduate From AFIT

By Emmanuel Daudu

The technical manpower of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) received a major boost as 628 personnel successfully graduated from the 2022/2023 Sundry Technical Military Programmes offered by the prestigious Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).

According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force in a press release signed on the 9 September 2023, disclosed that  the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba, stated that sundry technical programmes offered by AFIT have continued to enhance the quality of skilled technical manpower of the NAF. This, he continued, has largely contributed to the NAF’s current status of being more self-reliant for its platforms and equipment maintenance. He went on to note that aside the prestige and confidence gained from such self-reliance, the NAF have also built internal capacity for some levels of training, leading to the elimination of the cost of foreign trainings in areas it possesses internal capacities, thus conserving scarce foreign exchange. Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the graduation ceremony aligns with his command philosophy of, “Transforming the NAF into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the air power demands of national security in all operational environments”. In the same vein, he added, AFIT being NAF’s foremost training institution is well positioned to facilitate one of the key enablers of his philosophy which is “deliberate training and mission-oriented force development”.

To the graduands, the CAS reminded them of the importance of enhancing their professional competencies, which was necessary to guarantee optimum aircraft serviceability and availability in furtherance of Nigeria’s national security imperatives.  According to him, “This is more so at a time like this when we need to operate optimally in order to effectively address the current spate of insecurity across our dear country.” He then went on to state that the era of treating criminal elements in our country with kids’ gloves is over, hence the need to continue on this trajectory until they are brought to their knees. The CAS then thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces and the NAF in particular, without which the current level of operational successes would not have been possible.

Earlier, the Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Sani Rabe, noted that the 628 graduands consisted of 37 officers, who have completed the Initial Officers’ Course, and 591 airmen/airwomen who have completed various Basic as well as Intermediate and Advanced Upgrading courses. He noted with delight that the Institute also trains foreign personnel from sister African countries as 4 officers from Ghana Air Force and 3 Airmen from Tanzanian Air Force were part of the graduating students. The Commandant further stated that AFIT has continued to serve the technical and logistics training needs of the NAF since its establishment as Technical and Supply School in 1977. He then noted that having gone through various stages of upgrades and accreditations, AFIT received Presidential Assent to the AFIT Act in 2017, followed by its accreditation by the National Universities Commission as a full-fledged degree awarding Institution open to students from across the Nation and abroad.

The graduation ceremony was witnessed by senior military officers from within and outside Kaduna as well as government dignitaries and traditional rulers.

TEIN JACK -RICH LAUDS PRESIDENTIAL TRIBUNAL JUDGEMENT, CONGRATULATES BOLA TINUBU

The Founder of Belemaoil and a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC ,from Rivers State,Tein Jack -Rich CON, has lauded the verdict of the Presidential Elections Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu,in the February 25,2023 president election .

In a statement issued by his Media Team,Tein Jack -Rich commended the five member panel of the tribunal for upholding justice and resisting any form of intimidation .

The business Mogul appealed to all Nigerians both at home and diaspora to support the mandate of President Bola Tinubu,that way according to him,he will work to accomplish his electioneering promises .

The philanthropist ,added that by the judgement,the tribunal has made a notable contribution by not only rejecting intimidation but looking at the law objectively.

It would be recalled that last Wednesday, a five member panel ,presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani delivered a unanimous judgement,dismissing petitions contesting Tinubu, s in the presidential election.

The People’s Democratic party, Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar ,alongside his Labour Party counterpart ,Peter Obi m,as well as the Allied People’s Movement,had submitted petitions challenging Tinubu,s victory under the All Progressives Congress.

Tein Jack -Rich Media Office

9th September,2023.

ECOWAS Commission Addresses Maritime Safety and Security Challenges

By Emmanuel Daudu

As part of the implementation of its strategy to combat maritime insecurity in the ECOWAS region, the ECOWAS Commission has organized a meeting of stakeholders from its Member States on maritime security and safety in Accra, GHANA, from September 5 to 7, 2023.

According to a synopsis signed by Mr. Kouadio Serge, programme officer IT and Communication, ECOWAS, the overall objective of the meeting is to strengthen coordination and collaboration between differentmaritime stakeholders with a view to strengthening the full operationalization of the ECOWAS maritime security architecture to combat illicit maritime activities in the region. ECOWAS.

This meeting brought together participants from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Maritime Centers and representatives of ECOWAS Member States, on the one hand and

According to Kouadio,
Participants composed of mid- and high-level government officials, military personnel and civilians with extensive experience and expertise in the maritime domain, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Transport of Member States

In his opening speech, the Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace & Security of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, PhD, thanked the host country and highlighted the efforts of ECOWAS in the fight against maritime insecurity including terrorist acts, drug trafficking and piracy and other maritime

He encouraged the participants to provide solid recommendations which will be submitted to management for their adoption with a view to their applications in Member States.

Captain Ebenezer Yirenkyi, Director Naval Operations, Ghana Navy in his speech welcomed the participants and indicated the efforts made by Ghana in the fight against maritime insecurity which constitutes a scourge in the sub-region.

Furthermore, he pointed out that Ghana always remains available to support ECOWAS in the fight against maritime insecurity

In his opening speech, Honourable Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration ( Political and Economic )warmly welcomed the participants and thanked the ECOWAS Commission for choosing Ghana for this event.

He then praised Ghana’s good collaboration with other ECOWAS member states, wishing the participants and ECOWAS fruitful discussions for the success of this important meeting.

During these 3 days of work, the participants shared their experiences and strategies as well as recommendations which will be presented to the management of ECOWAS.

Families of  Chibok Girls, Others gets FG attention, benefits from distribution of food items in Borno State

…. Says President Tinubu will provide durable solutions for  Refugees,  IDPs

By Emmanuel Daudu

Hundreds of families living at the Bulumkutu rehabilitation camp in Maiduguri, Borno state, erupted in jubilation Thursday as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu distributed to them, food items as part of federal government immediate relief package to support to them.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair,(ANIPR) Special Adviser On Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA, in a press release he signed today stated that Inhabitants at the camp met by the Minister,  including 14 rescued Chibok girls and their children who have been undoing rehabilitation at camp.

Edu who was accompanied to the camp by the Borno state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zuwaira Gambo, and the Acting Hon Commissioner for National Commission for Refugees Migrants and IDPs, Ambassador Catherine Udida, assured that the gesture would be extended to other IDP Camps in the state.

Food items distributed to the IDPs by Dr. Minister include hundreds of bags of Rice, Corn, Beans, garri Vegetable oil, Maggi  and other food items.

She explained that the relief items were part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s  Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at alleviating the suffering of Nigerians exposed to humanitarian crisis, in Borno state, especially women and children.

According to Edu, President Tinubu has promised to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, which is part of strategy to provide long term solutions to insecurity and insurgency in the Country.

The Minister said the camp was temporary and disclosed that efforts were being made to permanently integrate & relocate them back to their homes.

She pledged that the federal government under President Tinubu would not leave them unattended.

The minister explained that officials of her ministry were on the ground to continue to provide psycho-socio support for them, assuring that she would be visiting them periodically.

Earlier the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zuwaira Gambo commended the Minister for visiting the camp and identifying with the IDPs.

Gambo who spoke in Kanuri language informed the Minister that the victims were happy to receive her into the camp being her first visit to Borno state as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Governor Zulum Receives Humanitarian  Minister In Maiduguri, Promises Partnership to succeed on  Renewed Hope Agenda

It was a renewed hope for the people of Borno state, North East Nigeria as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu arrived Maiduguri  for a two days working visit.

The visit being  her first official movement  outside Abuja since assumption of office, was described as home coming by the people of Bornu.

According to a press release signed by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity To Hon. Minister MHAPA, the Minister was received at the Government House Maiduguri, by the Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, and  thanked him for the grand reception and  the excellent work he is doing in Borno State that was bringing peace development and stability to the people and the state.

Edu informed the Governor that Borno State was the first state she would be visiting in her capacity as minister since her swearing in as
a member of the Federal Executive Council.

To show how important and strategic the state is to achieving results on humanitarian response and ending poverty in Nigeria the Minister described Bornu  as a stabilizing state in the  North East  and Nigeria.

Dr Edu reiterated President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s commitment to minimizing Humanitarian crisis and eliminating poverty in Nigeria in fulfilment of the  renewed hope Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2.

“it is important that the Hummanitarian Ministry renew its partnership with the State and leverage on their successes and experience to find better ways of doing things.

“The Ministry under me  will not only aim at eliminating poverty, but it shall also provide safety nets to prevent Nigerians from going under the poverty line”.

The Minister  informed the Governor that the Federal Government is committed to returning the refugees and migrants to their various homes by 2024.

She said  structures must be put in place to  repatriate and reintegrate the internally displaced persons back into their communities.

The former APC National Women Leader who described the governor as ” action leader” informed him that the National Social Register shall be cleaned up and expanded to accommodate more people In other to meet target.

“The Ministry shall establish humanitarian hubs in all Local Government Areas as a deliberate policy of targeting the grassroots, the rural poor that are more in large numbers in communities and villages.

“The Ministry shall  deliberately create job opportunities for youth on a short- and long-term basis, giving micro-credits, vocational training among others.

She encouraged the Governor to continue giving leadership and support at the state level “so that the overall objective of eliminating hunger and poverty will be attained” she added.

Responding,  Governor Babagana Zulum of Bornu State, congratulated the Hummanitarian Minister on her well deserved appointment as a Member of the Federal Executive Council and welcomed her and her team to Borno State.

Zulum assured the minister of his government’s commitment towards addressing the humanitarian issues and poverty.

The Governor highlighted three priority areas  of collaboration, including
Poverty which he described as a nexus with insecurity.saying  “once poverty is addressed, insecurity would be addressed.
IDPs according  to the Governor is not sustainable as it is in the camps.

Other issues attributed  as challenges at the IDP camps are population growth and gender-based violence.

“State Government houses  the internally displaced persons for only a short time as transit facilities, while they try to provide durable solutions from humanitarian to sustainable solutions.

Government he said  also created SME opportunities for displaced persons.

The third factor according  to Governor Zulum was the Refugees situation, saying  over 200,000 refugees in Niger, 60,000 in Cameroon and 24,000 in Chad,hence the State must work with the Ministry to bring these refugees back home. They need shelters, money and job opportunities.

The Governor informed the Minister  of the existence of the Presidential Committee that is to return and reintegrate these refugees.

” The Vice President is the Chair and  the work of the Committee has gone far, the Ministry has a very huge role to play in that committee” he said.

On the Humanitarian development Partners, the Governor said “their role is to complement what Government does and not to take the lead in responsibilities of Government.

“Also, the priorities of Government must be their priorities too, So, they must key into Government priorities.

On the National social register, the Governor said that States should have the opportunity of owning the register because the poverty index is continuously changing.

Highlight of the visit was the exchange of souvenir  between  the Governor and the Minister.

Arase Receives Leadership Of Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria, Calls For Robust Partnership To Fight Criminality In Nigeria

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police, today Thursday, September 7th 2023, received the national Leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN where he called for robust partnership between the association and the Nigeria Police Force to assist fight and contain criminality across the country.
Dr. Arase said the Association is a strategic partner in the fight against crime and criminality in the country.

According to Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations on
Thursday, September 7th 2023, PSC boss noted that the Nigeria Police Force will be willing and ready  to partner the association especially taking into cognisance  the role they play in the movement of goods, services and persons in the country.

The PSC Chairman  said the Police will need vital information from Members of the association as they encounter Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country. He commended them for the assistance they give to the Police during elections and called for an improved and strategic partnership that will be enduring and productive.

He also commended the association for giving timely information to the Police on activities of criminals.
The PSC Chairman  said this is the time for all stakeholders to come together to rescue the nation from the hands of bandits.

Earlier, the Executive National Chairman of the Association, Dr. Musa Mohammed (Maitakobi) who was represented by the National Vice President Administration, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar  Bishara said the Association was impressed  by the numerous initiatives  and Reforms undertaken by the Commission under Dr. Arase’s watch to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness  of the Police Force.

“The progress made in areas such as community policing, training and development and technological advancements is truly remarkable  and a testament  to the Commission’s  commitment  to continuous improvement  as well  as the measures taken to bring reform and sanity in the Nigeria Police  both in recruitment and in service” he noted.

Alhaji Bishara said the Association felt inspired and motivated to contribute to the betterment  of law enforcement practices as its Constitution says ” we should liaise  with the law enforcement  agencies in discharging our duties”.
According to him, the Association greatly appreciate  the opportunity  to learn from the best practices implemented  by the Commission  and “we look forward  to incorporating these insights in our work”

He said the Association will remain committed to supporting  the Commission’s  endeavours and look forward  to future collaborations especially  in the area of recruitment “of our  unemployed youth who are capable of contributing  their quota in Nigeria as well as to have a well coordinated  security activities  between the Nigeria Police and RTEAN Marshal which is presently liaising with Nigerian police  in Information sharing in the motor parks  and bus stop “.

The Deputy President of the Association  urged the Commission  to build more on artificial intelligence  to curtail the insecurity  facing the country.

Danbatta Lauds Swedish Government, Ericsson for Sustained, Remarkable Partnership

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has commended the Swedish Government and Ericsson for their commitment and consistency in a strategic partnership with NCC on capacity building which has strengthened the Commission’s regulatory activities. 

According to Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, in a press release on September 6, 2023, disclosed that speaking at a workshop jointly organised by NCC and its Swedish partners within the framework of the Swedish Programme for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Developing and Emerging Regions (SPIDER), Danbatta stressed the significant strides made by NCC in the field of ICT.

“This workshop signposts the vital role the Nigerian Communications Commission, as a regulator, has been playing in the West African sub-region. It also highlights the unending objective of keeping up with the times and ever-evolving dynamics of the telecommunications sector,” Danbatta stated.

The NCC Chief Executive reiterated the enduring commitment of the Swedish Government and SPIDER to the cause of ICT development in emerging regions and acknowledged their roles in improving access to healthcare, education, income generation, and employment opportunities in West Africa, thereby contributing to poverty reduction.

“This periodic strategic engagement under the auspices of SPIDER over the years has made the Commission a more effective regulator and enhanced it contribution to the development of the telecommunications sector. This contribution will further support the creation of an ecosystem that is beneficial to the economies and people of the region,” the EVC said.

In her speech, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mrs. Annika Hahn, highlighted the significance of ICT regulation and capacity building as key drivers for economic development and social progress.

The ambassador also commended the NCC for hosting the event and fostering collaboration between the two nations. She acknowledged the pivotal role ICT has played in Sweden’s economic growth being the birthplace of Ericsson, one of the world’s oldest and largest ICT companies, with a rich history in the sector.

Speaking further, the ambassador stressed the global technological revolution and its potential to catalyse industrial and economic development. She stressed the need for modern and adaptable regulation to navigate this rapidly-evolving landscape.

Hahn also stated that, “to cope with this new and swiftly-developing environment, we need to regulate in a modern and adaptable way. Therefore, human capacity building in ICT regulation is crucial for all of us.”

The diplomat said the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of ICT across the globe, leading to an increase in Internet users as the shift impacted various sectors, including education, commerce, and financial services. She also said that e-learning practices on various platforms played a significant role in the transformation.

Speaking further, the Ambassador said Ericsson has reported that there were more than 900 million registered mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022, with a considerable portion of those in Nigeria.

The Swedish ambassador said that, in driving growth and contributing to the ambitious goal of over a billion mobile subscriptions by the end of 2023 within Sub-Saharan Africa, “education must be an essential part of our regulatory development strategies and policies, hence the need for collaboration in knowledge-sharing and up-skilling of human resources by all stakeholders.”

Tribunal Victory: Daudu Congratulates Tinubu, lauds Judiciary over integrity

By Omojo Jennifer

The President of, World Sustainable Development Goals Organization, Emmanuel Huleji Daudu congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR over his victory at the Presidential Petition Tribunal judgment passed on Wednesday, 6th of September, 2023.

He added, “I also commend the tribunal for upholding the credibility of the electoral process. This is a positive development for our democracy as it shows that the judiciary is truly independent and can dispense justice without fear or favour. As citizens, we must continue to have faith in our democratic institutions and processes.”

Daudu expressed confidence that President Tinubu’s administration would focus on the welfare and development of Nigerians, and work towards solving the various challenges facing the nation.

He said, “President Tinubu has always been a leader with a vision for the progress and development of Nigeria. This victory for him will only spur him to work harder in bringing about positive change for all Nigerians. I urge all citizens to support his administration and work together to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.”

Daudu concluded by calling on all political actors to put aside their differences and work towards the common goal of building a better Nigeria for all. He said, “We must all work together to move Nigeria forward, and this can only be achieved through unity, cooperation, and a shared vision for progress.”

He also charged the youths to remain calm and watch out for the amazing and mind blowing programs, policies, and activities the Tinubu-led administration has for the youths economically.