Airlines Lose 4.3bn

Nigerian Airlines Lose #4.3bn Annually to Restriction of Sunset Flight Operations—Uriesi 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Chief Operating Officer, COO of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, has said that Nigerian Airlines are currently deprived of a profit worth #4.3bn annually from being restricted to operate sunset flights. 

Mr Uriesi said this while delivering a paper titled “Maximizing Runway Utilization: A Nigerian Airline Perspective at the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondence (LAAC) themed – ‘Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications’ held on Thursday 28, 2022 at Sheraton, Ikeja,  Lagos.

He explained that the airlines were losing an average of N4 million per flight, N12 million in every flight, N360 million in 90 flights and N4.3 billion annually on every flight lost to lack of sunset airport operations in the country. 

This restriction according to him, had led to huge under-utilisation of aircraft fleets by the Nigerian Airlines as against the global industry standards. 

Uriesi said the setback is due partly because of too many impediments in the operating environment that limit airline productivity, which includes limited availability of runways across domestic network, multiple operational infrastructure deficiencies, poor organisation and many others. 

In view of these setbacks, he appealed to the government to prioritise airfield infrastructure and provide the necessary Instrument Landing System (ILS) and accompanying accessories for every airport, while also keeping the aerodromes open to meet the needs of airlines and other users. 

He also advised that government should make approved master plans a regulatory requirement for every airport and make non adherence to the master plans by any organization illegal. 

“There is need to establish a local aircraft lessor /financing vehicle that would allow for the domiciling of aircraft payments in local currency would make a huge difference to the air transport sector in Nigeria,” Uriesi maintained. 

FG Approves three Aircraft for Nigeria Air

 

FG Approves Lease of Three Aircraft to Nigeria Air 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of the vision to ease air traveling in the country, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given Nigeria Air approval to lease aircraft to start operations. The three aircraft are made by Airbus and Boeing companies respectively and Nigeria Air will resume operations with domestic routes. 

 

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, announced this Wednesday, July 27, while briefing journalists after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Sirika noted that the flight operations will first begin locally, then progress to regional and international routes going forward.

Despite existing challenges faced by the industry, especially the rising cost of aviation fuel, also known as Jet A1, and foreign exchange rates issue, the Federal Government is not backing off from its plan to take off the airline soonest. 

 

The Nigerian national carrier logo had been launched abroad, few years ago, when stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation sector took to an air fair to explore options available to it for effective execution.

This will be including taxes at a central bank exchange rate of 472 in Euro with the delivery period of 11 months and is awarded to Messers Integrated Contract Services Limited for AIB.

 

Sirika said, "I presented two memoranda on the national carrier to allow Nigeria to lease aircraft to start operations. That has been approved by the council. And the second is the deployment of investigation tools by the Accident Investigation Bureau. That tool, will permit the accident investigation to be able to decode going ons in flights, and God forbid, should there be a need to investigate the accident or incident, the tool will help them to be able to do so. That procurement is in sum of 1,506,285.7 euros which is equivalent to N707,962,864.83.

"On how many aircraft, I have said in our business plan, in the outline business case which is approved which are presented right here in this hall, I said that we are starting with three aircraft, for the first instance, to do the runs and then we progress. As to the make and type, we will be having eventually a mix of the two, the Air Buses and the Boeings.

Because every airline that to grow big is either or, most of them are either Air Bus or they are Boeing, especially for the Intercontinental and international flights. And this will start as a domestic airline. And then it will of course grow to become regional and international also intercontinental. On the timeline, is a process we’re progressing. We will announce the commencement date soon.

 

"On how they’re going to pull this through with the hiccups the aviation is facing, well certainly it is a global phenomenon. If you, of course, I’m very sure you are abreast with the going on around the aviation industry.

"But suddenly it’s not here forever. Aviation is a very resilient activity. From time before, it always takes a dip and then comes back up. We saw it in 9/11, we saw it in the south, we saw it in the global meltdown. We saw it in Pearl Harbor, and so on and so forth. So aviation is very resilient. And I think we’ll get out of the problems we are facing. Of particular reference, yesterday all of you were present when we discussed with The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) the challenges we’re facing in terms of Jet A1 availability and of course pricing, which is 40% of the operations of the airline.

 

"We’re finding solutions to those problems and the cost of funds also is being attended to and so on and so forth. So yes, we will get there. And it’s doable and by God’s grace"

MAJAN President Salutes NAGAFF ACADEMY MGT

 MAJAN President Salutes NAGAFF Academy on 3rd matriculation ceremony

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The President of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, has saluted NAGAFF Academy for its forth coming 3rd Matriculation ceremony slated for Friday, July 29, 2022.

Comrade Ugochukwu, made this commendation in a statement made available to MAJAN members on Wednesday. 

While appraising the Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Boniface Aniebonam and entire management of NAGAFF Academy for their hard work and resilience in moving Nigerian Maritime industry to greater heights, Comrade Ugochukwu, a seasoned Journalist, described Dr Aniebonam as an epitome of greatness and a rare gem to the maritime industry and Nigeria as a nation.

He also applauded the Registrar of NAGAFF Academy, Dr. Francis Idowu Omotosho for his intelligence and ingenuity in running the Academy efficiently, describing him as a world class scholar, whose academic prowess has attracted recognition within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

The Matriculation lecture scheduled for 12noon at NAGAFF headquarters, Apapa, Lagos, will have in attendance the Chief Executive Officer of  Nigerian Shippers' Council, Mr Emmanuel Jimefnis as Guest  Speaker and Dr Aniebonam, as Chief Host.

The theme of the lecture is; 'Freight Forwarding as a career - benefits to the nation’.

FG Closes FGC Abuja

 FG Orders Closure of FGC Kwali, Beef-Up Security In Unity Colleges

The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate closure of one of its colleges, the Federal Government College Kwali, located in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Education Minister, Adamu Adamu who gave the directive in the early hours of this morning said the closure became necessary following security breach on Sheda and Lambata Villages, suburbs of Kwali Area Council which also threatened FGC Kwali.

According to the Minister, the timely intervention of security Agencies saved the situation.

Adamu Adamu also directed that arrangements should be made for final year students to conclude their NECO examinations.

The Minister has also directed Principals of Unity Colleges across the country to liaise with security Agencies within their jurisdictions in order to forestall any security breach in our schools. 

Gunmen Release three Hostages

Breaking: Gunmen Release three Abuja - Kaduna Train Hostages 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Terrorists have released another three victims of the hostages held captive from the attacked Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28. 

The victims, who are two males and a female, got their freedom around 11 am on Monday, and this makes the total victims released so far add up to 22 from the 62 earlier captured, while the number still in their captivity remains at 40. 

This development followed a protest held on Monday morning by family members of the remaining kidnapped passengers at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Abuja, calling on the government to help rescue their loved ones, who have spent 117 days in captivity. 

However, the terrorists over the weekend were seen in a viral video on social media, ill treating the hostages by flogging them with sticks and threatening to abduct President Muhammad Buhari as well as Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El- Rufai. 

In the eleven-minute video released, the victims were seen appealing to the international community such as the United Nations, African Union and Saudi Arabia to come to their aid since according to them, the Nigerian government has failed to rescue them from the hands of the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the presidency had on Sunday reacted to their video threat hours after, challenging the insurgents of using propaganda to compel the government to yield to their demands.

In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammad Buhari Garba Shehu, said security forces are not helpless in controlling the high rate of insecurity confronting the country.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Garba Shehu said President Muhammadu Buhari has been supporting security agencies by boosting their morale and providing the needed equipment.

He said, “The Presidency, in the meantime wishes to reassure the public that the President has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate.”

Toll gate on Lagos Ibadan Road

 FG will return Toll Gates to Lagos-Ibadan Express way- Fashola

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said the Federal Government will return toll gates to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after the highway is rehabilitated.

 

Fashola disclosed this on Sunday saying three toll gates should be expected on the highway after all works on the expressway have been completed by December 2022.

Fashola said a toll gate is expected in the Lagos, Ogun (Ogere) and Ibadan axis of the expressway when completed.

 

The minister further revealed that government planned to finish the Second Niger Bridge project in the South-Eastern part of the country before Christmas.

 

According to him, Amidst various challenges facing the Second Niger project, the current administration plans to open the bridge before Christmas. We are working towards this period because there is always mass movement of people. 

“Hopefully, by Christmas, it will be opened. That was the last meeting I had with the contractor about three weeks ago.”

NSC Remains Port Regulator

Nigerian Shippers' Council Remains Port Economic Regulator - Transport Minister

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has said that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) remain the economic regulator of the Nigerian port industry.

Alhaji Sambo who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Magdalene Ajayi, said this at a sensitization forum jointly organized recently by the Ministry and Nigerian Shippers Council. The theme of the event was "Promoting Competitiveness in the Maritime Industry: The Mandate of Nigerian Shippers Council." 

He reiterated that the position of the Federal Government remains that the NSC should be the economic regulator of the port industry and thus enjoined industry stakeholders to cooperate with the council and get acquainted to their supervisory role. 

Recalling how the council was appointed interim port economic regulator in February 14, 2014, with the appointment made substantial in 2015 to effectively regulate tariffs, rates, and other related services as well as monitor all matters relating to the cost, standard and quality of services rendered by the regulated service providers, and also to bring sanity to the port, the Minister maintained that Nigerian Shippers Council remains the economic regulator while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is the technical and supervisory regulator.

The minister declared that the two agencies are working within the Nigerian port system for the betterment of the industry and advised those in court to embrace the regulatory roles of the two government agencies. 

"This position should be retained pending the time the National Transport Commission would come into being to regulate the transport industry," he said. 

Meanwhile in his analysis, Prof. Bongo Adi, a Professor of Development Economics and Data Analytics, Lagos Business School, who was the guest speaker at the event, opines that though NSC was appointed the port economic regulator in 2014 to promote competitiveness and compliance in the maritime sector, the port industry has remained naturally monopolistic as it was since entrance to the industry is not open. The council needs to enhance competitiveness that will buoy the nation’s export taking cognisance of the fact that the Nigeria's monetary policy has become sterile. 

His words, "The Council was appointed the regulator almost a decade after ports were concessioned. This was a challenge as it became a regulator that took no part in the concession exercise. NSC’s late appointment make them an agency leading from behind to enforce competitiveness. We know the port industry is naturally monopolistic because entrance into the industry is not open, the fact that the most important sector of the economy is the foreign sector where the country interacts with the rest of the world through imports and export, should prompt NSC to focus more on promoting competitiveness that will buoy the nation’s export, knowing fully that Nigeria’s monetary policy has become sterile."

Bongo declared that the only thing that can save Nigeria is export which must come in form of diversification, but warned against relying on agricultural produce which he labeled as inferior goods.

"Agriculture should not be the priority except for the purpose of export." 

However, in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Shippers Council, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime buttress the fact that the ports need to be made competitive to guard against monopoly, in which the council was appointed port regulator for. 

He thus expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other industry agencies for their support in  the successful discharge of the council duties as economic regulator. 

Customs Generate #274. 32 Billion

Customs Generate #274. 32bn Revenue in Six Months at TinCan Port

ZAINAB JUNAID

TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded the sum of #274. 321 billion revenue in the first six months of the fiscal year 2022. An increase of 27.50% from the last year’s collection of #229. 322 billion within the period under review.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede, who disclosed this while reviewing the command’s performance in the first half year of 2022 at a press conference held with Maritime Journalists, said the implementation of VIN-Valuation service contributed greatly to this achievement. 

He said, “The implementation of VIN-Valuation brought different challenges at early stages of its deployment due to the degree of understanding of the process especially on the part of the stakeholders, nevertheless the process has helped the command to achieve an expedited clearance process due to predictability of value- assessment, increase in revenue generation, improved ease of doing business among other advantages.”

Speaking on the export value facilitated by the command, Compt Oloyede said the command has recorded an outward throughput in export cargo of 138,246.50 metric tons in 6 Months representing an increase of 73% from 100,500 metric tons recorded in 2021. 

According to him, “the Free On Board (FOB) value is #100. 447 billion. An increase of 60% from the #66. 295 billion recorded in the fiscal year 2021.

He added that the Duty Paid Value of total seizures that contravenes Sections 46, 47 and 161 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45 LFN 2004, is amounted to #1. 3 billion.

However, during a tour to the command's Roll on Roll off (RoRo) scanning site, (a place where Vehicles are being scanned/screened) the TinCan Command Chief revealed that some culprits (clearing agents) have been arrested, bailed for human rights sake but will be prosecuted for forging his signature to clear some imported consignments. 

His words, “Four units of used Mack truck heads, one unit of used Toyota Sequoia 2008 model, one unit of used Mercedes: Benz GL450 2008 model and one unit of used 2011 Toyota 4Runner were arrested in their possession. 

“You know that the signature aspect of the clearance procedure has not been automated. Very soon, we will be automating that aspect too. It’s because the signature aspect of the clearance procedure has not been automated, these unscrupulous agents, four in numbers, attempted to clear some imported vehicles out of the port with my forged signature.”

He later commended the eagle-eyed customs officials for detecting and arresting the fraudsters and affirmed that the culprits will be punished by law. 

Biden Tests Positive

 President Joe Biden Tests Positive for Covid- 19, has mild symptoms

ZAINAB JUNAID

... with Agency Report

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has tested positive for COVID-19, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement on Thursday morning. 

“This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19,” She said in a statement. “He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms.” She added, “He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC

"Biden, 79 years, is fully vaccinated after getting two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shortly before taking office, a first booster shot in September and an additional dose in March 30," Washington AP News had reported. 

SAHCO Appoints Two New Non -Executive Directors

SAHCO Appoints Two New Non -Executive Board Members 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

As part of its commitment to building a diversified Board, Management team and staff with expertise that spans industry circles to cater for its growing list of clientele, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC has announced appointments of two new non-Executive Directors, at the company’s 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja in Lagos, recently. 

This was disclosed in a statement made available and signed by the company’s Corporate Head Communications, UANSOHIA Adetola Venessa. 

The two new non Executive Directors are Laila Jean St. Matthew-Daniel and Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi and were to replace Barrister Chike Ogeah and Mr. Ariyo Olutoye who resigned their appointments in January, 2022.

Laila Jean St. Matthew-Daniel started her schooling at Our Lady of Apostles in Lagos, she went on to St Louis Grammar School, Ibadan, for her “O” Levels, and then Queens College, for her ‘A’ Levels, before going to the United Kingdom (UK) for graduate studies at the Cripplegate Institute/London Guildhall University. She began her career in the corporate world in the UK, and later Nigeria, before boldly taking the entrepreneurial step in 1983, by opening one of the ‘first’ indigenous Furniture Manufacturing Company, during the 1980’s as a result of Government’s ban on the importation of furniture. 

As one of the premier female furniture manufacturers in the early 80’s to early 90’s, she initialized private training programmes for artisans in the furniture industry to boost Governments’ National Directorate of Employment’s empowerment efforts, and pioneered seminars for public enlightenment on relationship between stress and furniture ergonomics apart from winning various awards for unique designs. She coordinated interior fix-outs from conceptualisation, implementation, FF&E & execution of residential, Corporate & hotel projects and has won various awards for unique designs.

Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi on her part, Is a confirmed Pan-Africanist, lobbyist, developmental and legacy strategist with a passion for mankind and institutional development. She started her academic journey in 1982 at St Luke’s Model School, Lokoja, she proceeded to Command Secondary School, Kaduna in 1988.

Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi gained admission into University of Abuja where she bagged a Diploma in Banking and Finance in 1995.

She relocated to study in Canada in 1998 and proceeded to Queens School of Business, Ontario, Canada and graduated with a BSC in Marketing in 2001.  She went further to London School of Business and Finance, UK and she graduated with MBA in Entrepreneurship at The Institute of Transformative Thoughts and Learning Doctoral Research Centre (ITTL-DRC). She is also a recipient of the following; Metropolitan Institute of Business and Management - Special Executive Masters in International Business Law (LLM)-2013, CGUI, Boston, Massachusetts - Doctoral Research 2017, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, United Kingdom - Diploma in Public Relations 2018.

NCAA Suspends Dana Airlines...

 NCAA Suspends Dana Airlines Operations Indefinitely 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Airlines' Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely, with effect from midnight of Wednesday, 20th July, 2022.

The suspension according to the agency was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015.

The suspension order, which was handed down by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, has since been communicated to the management of Dana Airlines.

The decision is the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the Airline by the Authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the Airline's flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Airlines is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.

The NCAA on its website acknowledges the negative effect this preemptive decision will have on the Airline's passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations.

However, the airline in a statement made available to journalists attributed their shortcomings to recent skyrocketing costs of JetA1 which now stand at 830 per litre,  unavailability of forex, inflation among others as contributing factors to their financial setback. 

FG Hightened Surveillance at Border Entry over

FG Hightened Surveillance at Border Entry over Marburg Virus Disease

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The recent confirmation outbreak of the highly infectious Marburg Disease in Ghana has prompted the Federal Government of Nigeria to place the Port Health Services under the Federal Ministry of Health at the nation’s seaports, airports and land borders on red alert. 

This followed warnings received from medical expert that Nigeria could be at high risks for its proximity to Ghana. 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in a statement affirmed that based on available data assessed by experts, the overall risk of both importation of the disease and its potential impact on the Nigerian population is on the Moderate but given the proximity (same region), high traffic from Ghana and countries that share borders with Ghana, the incubation period of 21 days of the virus, the center has heightened surveillance at all entry points of the country to avert any sighted incident. 

The Center further confirmed that the risk of importation may be further reduced as the current situation in Ghana is under control as reported by Ghana Health Service. Active case finding is ongoing in Ghana while there is heightened surveillance in Togo and Benin as well. 

Marburg according to World Health Organisation (WHO) causes a rare, highly infectious disease and severe haemorrhagic fever (MVD) in humans and non-human primates just like the Ebola virus,  

It is another example of a zoonosis such as Lassa fever, etc. The natural animal reservoir/host are fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). Following the transmission from infected animals to humans, it spreads in humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, and contaminated materials and surfaces. The virus can enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

The first case of the Ebola-like virus in West Africa was reported in August 2, 2021, when a man from Guéckédou Prefecture, Guinea, died and was confirmed to have had Marburg Virus Disease by WHO. 

Previous outbreaks of Marburg virus disease, which is spread through contact with the body fluids of infected people or animals, have occurred mainly in eastern and southern Africa, report says. 

The public are enjoined to take precautions because there is no treatment or vaccine for MVD, however, infected persons can benefit from supportive care and treatment of specific symptoms which improve the chances of survival. Early detection and treatment improve prognosis.

APMT management REACTS to Union

 MWUN Shut down operations at APMT Terminal 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Wednesday morning obstructed activities at APM Terminals Apapa, Lagos over poor renumeration, bad welfare and ill treatment of workers by management of the terminal. 

This came less than 24 hours after the union issued a three day extension warning strike to the management of the AP Moller Terminals (APMT). 

MWUN General President, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and other Dockworkers were seen at the entry point of the terminal putting a barricade and at the same time instructed workers to vacate premises. 

It was gathered that authorities of the terminals have refused to yield positively to the request of the union regarding treatment of its workers especially in area of salary review. 

While union insisted that the terminal will remain shut until the management of the terminal yield positively to the needs of the dock workers as the management of  APM Terminals are fond of taking Nigerian labour workers for a ride, there are strong indications that the issue will soon be a thing of past because the terminal management have quickly reacted to the earlier actions of the union through a statement. 

The statement with heading "Notice of Labour Action In APM Terminals Apapa" as at  12:05 pm on Wednesday and addressed to customers read partly,

"This is to inform you that APM Terminals Apapa dock employees have currently embarked on a strike this morning. We recognize that the action would impact our customers, Vessel, and the terminal; as most operations are impacted by the union’s strike action, causing operational disruptions as a consequence of the lockout.

“However, be assured that there are ongoing deliberations and discussions between the management and the labour union in the hopes of reaching an alignment as quickly as possible.

“With your unwavering support, we will do whatever we can to minimize the impact of the labour action and also keep you abreast of developments,” the statement read.

Aero Suspends Flights Operations Indefinitely

 Aero  Suspends Flights Operations Indefinitely 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Harsh business environment, continuous increase in aviation fuel price also known as Jet A1 Fuel, high Foreign Exchange rates, among other multiple problems faced in the Aviation industry by local carriers on their daily operations, has prompted Aero Contractors, one of the local carriers to announced suspension of its scheduled Passengers Service Operations Indefinitely. 

The airline disclosed this in a statement on Monday saying it would temporarily suspend its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from July 20, 2022 

According to the management: “The decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in their inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

“We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.”

The airline maintained that the past few months had been very challenging for the aviation industry and the airline operators in particular, adding that with the high cost of maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation, and forex scarcity resulting in high foreign exchange rates. These are among the major components of airline operations.

However, it was gathered that this development does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations.

Aniebonam Calls for Peaceful Campaign towards 2023 General Elections

 Aniebonam Calls for Peaceful Campaign towards 2023 General Elections

ZAINAB JUNAID

The founder of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam has called on his members to adopt constructive and peaceful method of  campaign for the forthcoming 2023 general elections. 

Dr Aniebonam made this call while fielding questions with Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) at NAGAFF Village on Monday, adding that the society at large must be engaged in the course of the movement. 

Reiterating the bad shape of the economy,  the NAGAFF founder maintained that all hands must be on deck to actualize the dream of New Nigeria. 

His words, “We must engage the society and be constructive in our dealings. There is no need to start blaming anyone for the system that is already in comatose. All we need now is to put all hands on deck to actualize the dream of New Nigeria. This election give room for multiparty system which provides opportunities for people to make choice of their own. We must utilize the opportunity. Besides, it was a call from God for me to initiate this party. As a spiritual leader, it was a divine speech that I received and I believe we will achieve our goals.”

While speaking on the recent developments in the maritime industry, Dr. Aniebonam who is also the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) argued that Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is not a government agency as it is misinterpreted and all measures are put in place to ensure that the council remains independent of the Ministry of Transportation. 

He explained that the council was never meant to be a government Parastatal but a professional body regulating activities of the freight forwarders. 

According to him, “CRFFN has not achieved the mandate in which it was established for since it has been misinterpreted to be a government agency. But our lawyer is in court on that matter. We all know that when money is involved, the issue of POF is a serious business, section 6 of the CRFFN Act tells us how to raise funds and administer the council, the POF falls under this purview.”

"When you look at the volume of money involved, the attention of the government has been brought there. It is only the National Assembly that can intervene on this matter. Recall that  I said we are still in court over this issue and we will get what we want,” he said. 

Dr Aniebonam later enjoined the New Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Jaji Sambo to utilize his new appointment and the little period remaining under the present administration to help resolve the salient issue of CRFFN. 

ECOWAS Court Declares FG Twitter Ban Illegal

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has declared suspension of Twitter operations by Nigerian Government from June 2021 till January 2022 as illegal. 

In it’s judgment delivered on Thursday, ECOWAS Court affirmed that it has the jurisdiction to hear the suit case filed by the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and other 176 concerned Nigerians, in reaction to the suspension, announced by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in June last year. It said the case is admissible. 

According to the court rulings, “The Buhari administration in suspending the operations of Twitter violates the rights of SERAP and other 176 concerned Nigerians to the enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and the media, as well as the right to fair hearing. 

“This act is unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both of which Nigeria is a state party,” it said. 

The Court thus ordered present administration to further ensure its policies and measures does not have negative effect on citizens rights and freedoms, and should guarantee a non-repetition of the unlawful ban of Twitter.

It later ordered the Federal Government to bear the costs of the proceedings and directed the Deputy Chief Registrar to assess the costs accordingly.”

 It could be recalled that the Nigerian government had announced the ban after a tweet by the President was deleted by the social media platform for violating its policies. It had also threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone using the platform with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also asking all broadcast stations to suspend the patronage of Twitter.

This action made SERAP and others to sue the government. 

However, while Reacting to the court verdict, Femi Falana, SAN SERAP lawyer in the suit said, “We commend the ECOWAS Court for the landmark judgment in the case of SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria in which the Judges unanimously upheld the human rights of community citizens to freedom of expression, and access to information. Even though the Court had granted an interim order of injunction last year which restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN from prosecuting Nigerians who defied the Twitter ban, SERAP deserves special commendation for pursuing the matter to a logical conclusion.” 

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and the full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society. 

"With the latest decision of the Court to declare the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria illegal it is hoped that the Heads of State and Governments of the member states of the Economic Community of West African States will henceforth respect and uphold the human right of community to freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, “ he declared. 

Lagos Court Sentences Baba Ijesha to 16 years in Prison for defiling Minor

A Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sitting in the city of Ikeja, Lagos State has today convicted and sentenced Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, to 16 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor. Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in a judgment that lasted two hours convicted Baba Ijesha of four out of the six counts for which he was charged. Baba Ijesha was according to report, convicted for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault. The judge, however, discharged and acquitted him of counts one and six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration. More Details later