Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has justified the reason the countrys aviation sector was rated 71.04 per cent by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, saying some inadequacies were corrected by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo.

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, said if those deficiencies had been left, Nigeria would have been rated 30 per cent when results were released.

Describing as mischievous comments by commentators that Keyamo and Najomo were responsible for the poor ratings, Achimugu said the Minister and NCAAs DG came into office to improve on the deteriorating infrastructures and poor remunerations of workers.

Achimugu, in a statement, said: Six months ago, we met a dilapidated industry with poor infrastructure. The security and safety issues did not start in the last six months. Had it not been for the tireless efforts of the Honourable Minister and the DGCA, what we met on the ground would not have scored 30% in the audit.

Going by what was on the ground when Keyamo and Najomo assumed office, the current score is a substantially good showing, a miracle if I must say. The narrative being pushed out is just part of the larger strategy to push out Keyamo and Najomo from office. It is the handwork of paid mercenaries who have just one task.

The ICAO auditors praised our performance during their final briefing at the NCAA. They even mentioned a scenario where they complained about an absent infrastructure but, to their pleasant surprise, it had been made available the very next day! They said that only Nigeria moves at such a pace in the face of criticism. If the ICAO experts were pleased, who are these puff puff experts trying to deceive the people?

We have actual intel about a media team being commissioned to cause continuous chaos until Keyamo is either removed or moved elsewhere because certain people want to take back ownership of the contracts they were busy allocating themselves and family members while critical infrastructure was growing dilapidated. We will resist every attempt to deceive the Nigerian people.
Keyamo did not become one of the starboys of this administration by doing nothing. He spent his first six months unbundling the rot in the system. Sadly, the rot runs so deep that six months are not enough to scratch the surface. They know this and it is why they are relentless in their fight. But the Minister and this NCAA will do everything to sanitize aviation. We are working and it is evident.
It could be recalled that for the first time in 15 years, Nigerias aviation sector failed the mandatory audit by scoring five points short of the 75 per cent benchmark.
It was, however, given the statutory 60 to 90 days lifeline to close all identified gaps by ICAO.

A soldier serving under the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathans Barrack, Ohafia, Ohafia local government area of Abia State, attached to the 144 Battalions Forward Operation Base (FOB) located at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Osisioma local government area has shot himself to death.

According to reports, the soldier, a senior non-commissioned soldier Command Sergeant Major (CSM) identified simply as Vitalis took his life in front of the FOB gate.

The reason for committing suicide in front of the army camp has not been known at the time of filing the report as there was no suicide note.

Sources within security agents in the State told the aforementioned publication that a discreet investigation would unravel what could have prompted him to take his life.

According to sources, until the death of the soldier, there was no reported case of domestic violence or work related disciplinary action against him by army authorities at the Battalion or 14 Brigade Headquarters respectively.

It was gathered that the CSM suddenly disappeared without any trace to his whereabouts for the past two weeks he has remained incommunicado as several attempts to reach him by colleagues and military authorities failed.

He was said to have returned to the army camp and shot himself to the surprise of colleagues.

It was gathered that the deceased would have retired from service in October, leaving his colleagues shocked as to why he chose to take his life.

Former Accountant-General of the Federation, Jonah Ogunnyi Otunla, has reportedly passed away in the United Kingdom on Monday, June 17.

A source disclosed that the former AGF recently travelled to the UK for treatment of a yet-to-be disclosed ailment.

“I can tell you that he died in the hours between Sunday June 17 and Monday June 17”, the source told newsmen.

“While alive, he faced prosecution from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was being hounded in connection with two cases the alleged diversion of about N24 billion meant for disengaged staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and N2 billion allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Along the line, he refunded to the Federal Government to the tune of a few billion naira”, the source added

Otunla had a distinguished career in finance, serving on the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and as accountant-general of Oyo State in 1989.

He later joined the Federal Civil Service and was appointed accountant-general of the federation by former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

Otunla retired from the civil service in 2015. However, his legacy was marred by allegations of corruption, with accusations of diverting billions of naira in public funds.

He had been in and out of court facing charges related to these allegations until his death.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Zone 11 Command comprising of Osun, Ondo and Oyo States on Tuesday said nine deaths were recorded in 13 road accidents which occurred within its jurisdiction during the first three days of the Sallah holiday.

The command also said 78 others who sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crashes involving 21 vehicles and 128 people, were swiftly conveyed to hospitals across the zone, while 41 other persons were rescued without injuries during the period.

Reviewing activities in the first three days of the commands special operation for Sallah, which started on Friday covering major routes within its jurisdiction in a statement obtained in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the Acting Zonal Commanding Officer for the Zone, Leye Adegboyega, further said the Corps deployed a total of 3,018 personnel, 57 patrol vehicles, five ambulances and two heavy-duty tow trucks, during the period.

According to him, personnel from the command covered about 65 major routes across the zone daily to ensure good visibility to reduce avoidable speed-related crashes, while standby rescue teams were also stationed across all commands in the zone for quick response to distress calls from accident scenes.

The statement read in part, The 2024 Eid El Kabir Sallah Special Patrol Operation is scheduled to be held between Friday 14th and Friday 21st June 2024 across the country. Zone RS11 Osogbo of the Corps, which comprises Osun, Ondo and Oyo States, has keyed into the mission of the Operation, which is to ensure free flow of traffic, minimize the occurrence of RTCs, provide prompt rescue services in the event of crashes and ensure timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and the critical corridors across the 3 states of the Zone during and after the Sallah festivities.

For the Zone to achieve the mission of the Operation, a total of 3,018 Personnel (comprising 2,155 Regular Marshals and 863 Special Marshals), 57 Patrol Vehicles, 5 Ambulances and 2 Heavy Duty Tow Trucks have been deployed across the component commands. Included in the roads we cover daily are the following Critical Corridors to which we give particular attention: Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Ibadan-Ife Expressway, Ife-Ilesa Expressway, Ilesa-Ipetujesa-Akure Expressway, Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.

In the first three days of the operation, we have achieved the following: i. The arrest of 737 traffic offenders who were duly contravened for 766 various traffic offences that may otherwise have led to avoidable RTCs. ii. Execution of 219 various Public Enlightenment activities across the news media, motor parks, churches, mosques and other public places, to drive home the road safety message and create public awareness of the need for safety consciousness.

iii. Provision of prompt rescue services for the victims of 13 RTCs which involved 21 vehicles and 128 people, out of which 9 unfortunately lost their lives and 78 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were swiftly conveyed to hospitals across the Zone where we sustain cordial relationship, for treatment. 41 other persons were rescued alive without injuries and continued their journeys.

Adegboyega appealed to the general public and all road users to use the roads responsibly and contribute their quota to a reduction in the loss of lives and valuable properties.

The Presidency, on Sunday, insisted that the N250,000 minimum wage clamour by Organised Labour is unsustainable, warning that the Federal Government cannot channeled all its resources to meet such a demand.

The warning comes two days after the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria raised concerns over the N62,000 being proposed by the FG.

The ALGON said if approved, the wage may put a strain on the councils financial burden.

On Tuesday, May 28, talks between the Federal Government and Organised Labour broke down after the government and the Organised Private Sector raised their offers to N62,000.

But the labour unions described the proposal as an insult to the intelligence of the average Nigerian worker, which deserves far better than what the government offered

Speaking in an exclusive interview with newsmen, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that unless the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress were selfish, they should consider that the resources meant for the entire Nigerians could not be channeled to only the benefit of their members who are not more than 10 percent of the entire population.

He said, “That is why we keep telling labour to be realistic because the government cannot use all its resources to pay workers. They have other things to do. The workers we are even talking about are not up to 10 percent of the population. Many people are self-employed or engaged in the private sector, who are not members of Labour, and are not affected by this demand.
This is even more reason why labour has to reconsider their decision critically instead of always striving to shut down the system. What the FG did was in consultation with the private sector and others. Only Labour, which appears to be in the minority, kept saying they wont accept N62,000. They are not even employers but employees.

“Let us wait and hear what they are going to say after their return from the ILO conference. But they have to be realistic”

Tinubu had disclosed during his democracy day that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage for workers would be sent to the National Assembly.

When quizzed on when he plans to transmit the bill, Onanuga said though he could not give a particular date, he sees it happening after the Sallah break.

The presidential media aide also said the Federal Government might not meet the Labour leaders again unless something cogent turned up.

‘I am not certain when he plans to do it (Bill). May be after Sallah. But I am not sure whether the FG is meeting with them or whether its position on the minimum wage has changed. Dont forget the current amount on the table was arrived at by the committee that also has the private sector where the NECA and NACIMMA were also represented.

“That was the figure the FG delegation, sub-nationals, employers, NECA and other sectors agreed on. So, the FG cannot just decide on any other amount of money on its own without carrying these people along. And the government cannot just decide anything without ensuring that the state and local governments are able to pay”, he said.

Efforts made to reach labour leaders on Sunday were unsuccessful as close sources told our correspondents they were on their way back to the country from their recent trip to Geneva for the International Labour Organisation conference.

Meanwhile, the tripartite committee established by the Federal Government to review the minimum wage has urged labour unions to reassess their wage demands.

Speaking on Sunday, the committees chairman, Bukar Aji asked labour to reconsider their position based on economic factors and the non-monetary incentives provided by the government.

Aji highlighted several incentives of the government, including the N35,000 wage award for all treasury-paid federal workers, N100bn for gas-fuelled buses and gas kit conversions, a N125bn conditional grant, financial inclusion for small and medium enterprises, and a N25,000 monthly stipend for 15 million households over three months.

He also listed the N185bn in palliative loans to states to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal, N200bn to boost agricultural production, N75bn to strengthen the manufacturing sector, and N1tn for student loans, among other interventions.

Aji called on the labour unions to consider accepting the N62,000 minimum wage offered by the Federal Government.

He said the committee was trying to avert a situation where the minimum wage would lead to further job losses, especially as many businesses are already struggling.

In a significant development for higher education in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation status to three academic programs at Kingsley Ozumba (K.O.) Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Ideato, Imo state.

This accreditation, achieved during the October/November 2023 exercise, applies to the Computer Science, Economics, and Sociology programs.

The Vice Chancellor of KOMU, Professor Ikechukwu N. S. Dozie, received the official accreditation letter from the NUC, confirming the university’s compliance with the minimum academic standards stipulated in Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. This accreditation underscores the universitys commitment to maintaining high educational standards.

Professor Dozie attributed this success to divine providence, the continuous support from the Visitor to the University and Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the dedicated efforts of the university staff. With this achievement, all mature programs at KOMU now enjoy full accreditation status.

Adding to the university’s accolades, Professor Jacinta Opara has been appointed as the second substantive Vice Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan. Prior to this prestigious appointment, Professor Opara served as the Director of Partnerships, Collaborations, and Advancement at K.O. Mbadiwe University.

Her selection followed a rigorous process conducted by a professional recruiting firm and a panel of top academics, adhering to global best practices for filling strategic positions in higher education.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), announced the appointment, emphasizing Professor Oparas distinguished track record in higher education and her commitment to advancing learning and research.

Professor Opara’s appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the first female Vice Chancellor of Dominican University. Her term will span five years, during which she is expected to significantly impact the university and the broader academic community.

Professor Dozie, Vice Chancellor of K.O. Mbadiwe University, praised the quality of the recruitment process that initially brought Professor Opara to KOMU.

He highlighted the universitys adherence to rigorous recruitment standards, aligning with the vision of Governor Uzodimma, who emphasizes merit-based appointments through advertisements, interviews, and the selection of the best candidates.

The K.O. Mbadiwe University community is proud of Professor Opara’s achievements and extends its best wishes as she embarks on her new role.

The Kogi State Government has threatened to demolish houses occupied by internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys in the state.

The State Security Adviser, retired Commander, Jerry Omodara gave the warning when he appeared on Mondays edition of the State of Kogi a Radio Kogi Audience Participatory programme which was monitored by our correspondent in Lokoja.

Omodara said the government needed the assistance of the public in the Area of provision of information to arrest internet fraudsters in the state.

He said security agencies will soon go after hotels used by yahoo boys to perpetrate crime. It should be noted that appropriate sanctions will be handed to those harbouring the fraudsters.

The State Security Adviser cautioned landlords against giving their houses to Yahoo Boys, pointing out that such structures will also be pulled down.

According to him, the government in partnership with security agencies have identified houses built with proceeds of criminal activities and those housing men of the underworld would soon be demolished.

He stated that Security Agencies and local hunters have been directed to arrest or gun down anyone carrying arms in the forest.

The Security Adviser while commending the effort of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo in tackling insecurity, called on companies and well-to-do individuals to assist the government by donating to the State Security Trust Fund.

Our correspondent gathered that the activities of internet fraudsters in Kogi State have been on the rise, prompting the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to arrest many earlier this year.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that the upsurge of corruption in the country is defeatable if every stakeholder on the anti-graft corridor makes concerted efforts.

The Commissions chairman, Ola Olukoyede made this statement in his Eid-El-Kabir message.

He stressed that renewal of efforts towards combating all forms of economic and if FG denies renaming Murtala Muhammed Expressway
The Federal Government yesterday dismissed information that the Abuja Murtala Muhammed Expressway had been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.

The FG, in a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that the renaming of the expressway was never considered by the current administration.

The confusion stems from a recent event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory.

The new road, designated as Arterial Road N20, stretches from Katampe to Jahi, connecting the Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).

During the inauguration, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike proposed that the new road be named after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a suggestion that Tinubu approved.

Consequently, it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinkas name, not the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Muhammed Express Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. The renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration”

“For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).
During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed”, the statement read in part.

The government emphasised that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged, continuing to honour the legacy of the former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.
Therefore, the Arterial Road N20 is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala Muhammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, Ibrahim stressed.

Citizens were urged to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise, as such reports are false and unfounded.

“We urge all citizens to disregard any misinformation regarding renaming the Murtala Muhammed Expressway. The report is entirely false and only exists in the imagination of its purveyors”, the statement added.

ancial crimes is necessary to kill the menace.
It is obvious that we can attain peace, love, progress and unity of purpose for a Nigeria free of corruption and unsavoury practices.
Lets keep building. Lets keep attacking every threat to our progress. Lets keep fighting economic and financial crimes together, he said.
Olukoyede added that Nigerians were not inherently corrupt, and there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the nation.
The anti-graft boss felicitated with the nation on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir, emphasizing that the lessons of the festival should drive more commitments to the anti-corruption fight.
The lessons of forbearance, sacrifice, faith and hope in Almighty Allah which Eid teaches should imbue in us fresh desire to please God and serve our nation without corrupt practices.
We should renew our efforts towards fighting all forms of economic and financial crimes, he said.

Robert Onyejekwe, a successful oil and gas executive based in Sugar Land, Houston, Texas, has been found dead in his hotel room in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Onyejekwe, who was in Nigeria for business meetings, was discovered on the evening of Sunday, June 9, 2024.

The 51-year-old executive had traveled to Nigeria to oversee business dealings related to an oil and gas company he purchased four years ago.

Sources indicate that Onyejekwe planned to move back to Nigeria soon to personally manage the company after uncovering suspicious activities by those he had entrusted with its operation.

Onyejekwes death came as a shock, particularly given his active involvement in the industry and his recent hosting of the annual Over The Counter (OTC) party in Houston, Texas. His wife and a family friend are en route to Lagos to arrange for the return of his body to Houston for burial.

Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Onyejekwe held a distinguished career in the oil and gas sector. He served as the President of Bits and Drilling Tools, a division of Schlumberger, where he led the development of innovative drilling technologies designed to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the oil and gas industry.

Before his role as President, Onyejekwe was the Global Director of Sales and Commercial for the Reservoir and Infrastructure group at Schlumberger. He was responsible for deal origination and growth strategies across eight business product lines, focusing on market expansion and penetration.

Onyejekwes academic credentials included a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan, an MBA from the University of Rotterdam, and a diploma in Finance from IMD University in Switzerland.

He was an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) since 1996 and the Africa Energy Chamber.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has categorically denied recent speculations suggesting that the National Assembly’s Upper Chamber is considering a clause to seize funds from states and local councils in the forthcoming New Minimum Wage Bill proposed by the Executive.

The controversy began after a report by a national daily, claimed that federal lawmakers were contemplating the inclusion of a controversial clause that would allow for the seizure of funds when the bill is introduced in the Senate.
This report has since sparked widespread discussions and concerns among stakeholders.

In response to these claims, Yemi Adaramodu issued a formal statement from Abuja on yesterday, dismissing the allegations as entirely unfounded.
Adaramodu said, “Mr. President in his national broadcast on Democracy Day only informed Nigerians that he would soon send the New Minimum Wage Bill to us.

“No one among us, not even the Senate President, knows the content of the Bill. How can we take a position on a document that we haven’t even sighted?

“During my interface with some journalists, who approached me for an interview as part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of the 10th National Assembly, I did not at any point, state that the allocations belonging to States and Local Governments will be seized.

“Nigeria is a federation, with sub-national governments that are autonomous. The misleading headline by The Punch Newspaper that allocations belonging to States and local councils will be seized is false and should be disregarded.

“We are still awaiting the Executive Bill and once we have it, it will go through all Legislative stages and once this is done and it receives Presidential assent, it becomes law. And it is law that can specify sanction, not the National Assembly.

“My interview was well reported today in the national dailies. It was not exclusive to The Punch. Other newspapers reflected adequately what I said. Why did Punch choose to misrepresent me?”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has directed Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, along with their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategically set up the security framework in their Areas of Responsibility ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The IG also mandated Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to deploy human and operational assets to conduct confidence-building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, in residential and industrial areas.

The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The statement read, “The IGP has directed Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the FCT, along with their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to
to strategically configure the security architecture in their Areas of Responsibility for robust and responsive policing ahead of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

“The IGP also mandated Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to deploy human and operational assets to conduct confidence-building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, in residential and industrial areas.”

Adejobi added that Police personnel would be deployed at vulnerable points, places of worship, other public recreational places, and around all critical national infrastructure.

He noted that personnel deployed are to perform their duties with discipline, professionalism, decorum, and alertness.

Adejobi said, “These operations are to be conducted professionally, without harassment or extortion, ensuring respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

“Personnel deployed are to perform their duties with discipline, professionalism, decorum, and alertness

He added that the IGP urged the citizens to keep to security and traffic advisories during the festive period.

He said, “The Inspector General of Police equally advises the public to adhere to all security advisories and traffic regulations during the celebrations to avoid any incidents that may mar the festive mood.

“The IGP extends his warmest wishes to all Muslim Umma as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir praying the festive season brings peace, joy, and prosperity to all.

“He assures of the commitment of the Force to ensuring that everyone celebrates in a safe and secure environment.”

Ten Nigerian teenage girls, recently rescued from Ghana, have returned to Nigeria for comprehensive counselling and rehabilitation.

In a series of videos that went viral on X.com on June 6, 2024, the young girls, aged 15 to 18, were reported to have been lured into prostitution in Ghana.

The rescue of the 10 trafficked Nigerian teenagers was reportedly conducted by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation in Ghana.

Responding to inquiry on Friday night, the NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, through the commission’s spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the girls arrived at the Lagos International Airport on Tuesday night, June 11, 2024, accompanied by representatives from the Imo State Governor’s office, including the Deputy Speaker and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, as well as staff from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

Upon arrival, the girls were received and profiled by officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

They are now under the custody of the governments of the Imo and Plateau States, where they will undergo proper counselling and rehabilitation.

The NiDCOM Boss assured that NAPTIP will continue to monitor the girls’ progress and ensure they receive the necessary support and care.

She said, “The girls arrived at Lagos International Airport on Tuesday night, accompanied by the representatives of the Imo State Governor (the deputy Speaker) and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and NiDCOM Staff.