NAWOJ Bemoans Security Rate

 Insecurity: NAWOJ Condemns high kidnapping Rate in the Country

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has condemned the deteriorating security situation of the country and its effect on the citizens in the society, especially now that the yuletide season draws near. 

Members of the association expressed complete disappointment towards the insecurity menace at a congress hosted by management and staff of IELTS in Lagos recently. 

They affirmed that it is no longer news the security challenges the citizens are facing, Nigeria is going through hard times. There are economic issues and hardships and the Nation is bleeding and government need to act accordingly by ensuring all necessary actions are taken to curtail all these illicit act of kidnapping and other forms of violence citizens now faced in the society. 

Following a recent video that went viral on social media (Whatsapp) on how a man was kidnapped at Island axis on his way back from work but successfully escaped the incident after been thrown out of the vehicle as a result of his traditionally made believe protection, members sitting at the congress worried over what would have happened if he was not guarded as he claimed.

However, NAWOJ urged citizens to continue to be extra vigilant and security conscious as the Kidnappers now have spies in almost all walks of life including the media.

 In a related development, the congress sitting also saw to the election of new Assistant Secretary for NAWOJ, Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Lola Olamijulo of FRCN Chapel, who was sworn in immediately. While appreciating chief host of the congress, NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Adeola Ekine, on her part, lauded the support given to the association by the management of MOD/IELTS /Westfield college for giving the congress a different ambiance and also appreciated all members present, Mrs Tosin Odusola, NAWOJ National Officer- Comrade Julie Ekong especially. 

Agency Trains Health Professionals

Agency Trains Doctors, others on Factual Reporting of DSVC

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has organized a two-day training on prevention and management of sexual assault for health care workers in Lagos State. 

Speaking at the training programme, Mrs Omotola Rotimi, Administrator General and Public Trustee of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, stressed the need for availability of forensic facilities on the part of doctors for evidence gathering and investigation, which will hitherto help enhance and hasten court judgement on every domestic and Sexual Violence Case.

While advising participants present at the programme to ensure they present detailed report as evidence in court, she outlined the different level of sexual assault and their respective punishment as applicable by law.

According to her, "By law, sexual assault occur only if there is penetration into the Virgina as in section 261 and this is punishable with life in imprisonment" . 

"Penetration by any form into the anus, Virgina, mouth or any other openings in the body of another person with a part of his body or anything else, answer a case of transgender and punishment is life imprisonment."

Also Speaking at the programme, Dr. Omoera Victoria, Productive Health Coordinator, Lagos State Ministry of Health, affirmed that in-depth sensitisation against social stigmatisation of survivors as well as provision of psychosocial support services would help boost survivors’ confidence and interaction within the society.

Dr. Omoera later advised health workers to be respectful and show compassionate towards survivors of the violence.

Meanwhile on her part, Avril Euewu Eoero, a trainer at the programme and also a Forensic Investigator, urged participants present at the training programme to always make available factual forensic reports on violences that occurs as it always enhance and hasten court verdict on the illicit act.

Dana Air increases flights frequency

Dana Air to Reintroduce Abuja- Owerri, Enugu  in Dec 9

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Dana Air has announced resumption of its Abuja-Owerri, Enugu service effective December 9, 2022. 

Spokesperson for the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa, made this announcement in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday stating that the airline is gradually reopening its prime routes to offer superior options  to its guests in terms of fares, service and comfortability. 

“We are delighted to re-introduce these flights based on popular demand for our service to these destinations and the schedule has been suitably fixed to meet the expectations of our eastern brothers and sisters.

''Our customer service is still 24/7 and our guests are encouraged to visit www.flydanaair.com to get best fares for their yuletide, business or leisure travels," he said.

Dana Air has since resumption on the 9th of November 2022, commended for its resilience as the first and only domestic airline to have undergone and scaled twice, an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). 

The airline's resumption of these routes has been more of a huge relief for its customers as it has since encouraged the right fare pricing for the travelling public. 

SAHCO Expands Fleet

 

SAHCO Expands Fleet With Modern Aviation Ground Handling Equipment to Boost Operation 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has announced expansion of her fleet with an ultra-modern Aviation Ground Handling Equipment of Universal Loaders, Tractors, Container Dollies, Canopied Passenger Steps, Conveyor Belt loaders and Air Starter Units.

Mrs Uansohia Vanessa Adeola, spokeswoman for the company disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, stating that the new Universal loaders manufactured by French Ground Support Equipment (GSE) maker, AirMarrel in France are 7,000 tonnes lower and main deck loaders. The GSEs are well-matched with the latest compatible standards and can be used to load both pallets and containers. Also, the loaders are equipped with Aircraft Approach sensors that minimizes accident or damage to the Aircraft body by restricting contact.

Her words, “explained that the three ruggedly built GSEs also known as E-LAM 7,000 are fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines and the capacity to travel long distances that makes them compatible for Nigerian terrains and long distanced tarmac. The E-LAM 7,000s can similarly be used for loading at both the front Cargo hold and at the rear Cargo hold.

“In addition, SAHCO acquired three Air Starter Units (ASU) equipment from Guinault, a GSE manufacturer resident in France. ACUs are used to start an aircraft’s engine while it is on ground. The ASUs acquired by SAHCO can power both wide body and narrow body aircrafts. They are also fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines with low emission of carbon monoxide and are built to produce 180 pounds per minute of power. 

“Furthermore, the ASUs are built with aluminum chassis which is to prevent rusting thereby making them an all-weather equipment which can be used under the rain or the scorching sun.

“Similarly, 6 Sherpa Tractors were procured to boost the existing fleet of GSE in SAHCO. These tractors are built to service both Cargo and Passenger Baggage. The front wheels of the tractors have been modified to be bigger than the older models to enable a better stability of the equipment and to suit a rough terrain better, besides the seats have in-built leaf springs to ensure that the operator is comfortable driving the equipment thereby preventing any work-related development of hernia due to hard and immobile seats.

She went further that the GSEs are fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines for low emission of carbon monoxide which makes them environmentally friendly. The Tractors which were produced by Goldhofer from Germany are built to have low fuel consumption capacity.

“Also, SAHCO added 50 Container Dollies manufactured by Bombelli, an Italian GSE company to the new fleet of GSEs, these Container Dollies are used to transport Unit Load Devices (ULD) during Operations. The Dollies are made of galvanized steel to prevent corrosion and rusting and are fitted with spring loaded hooks which makes connection and pulling easy for operators.

“Similarly, the Canopied Passengers Steps and Conveyor Belts were manufactured by Bombelli. The three Canopied Passenger Steps have factory fitted Coverings to protect Passengers from the rain or scorching sun while embarking or disembarking and they are also fitted with Aircraft Proximity sensors in accordance to world best practices. The Passenger Steps also have the capacity of being motorized or manually operated and can be used to service the following Aircrafts; B737, B727, B757, CRJ, A318 – A321.

“In addition, the three Conveyor Belts which are used for loading and offloading of baggages, are equally fitted with In-built Aircraft Proximity Sensors. Also, the roller belts are manufactured in a block assembly fashion which makes the GSE to convey loads faster, carry more weight and last longer,” She added. 

Meanwhile speaking about the equipment, the Managing Director/CEO of SAHCO, Basil Agboarumi according to the statement reiterated how SAHCO is committed to always providing safe, speedy and efficient services for clients and prospective clients. 

“Furthermore, as SAHCO clients are expanding their routes, we are also ensuring that we are exceeding their expectations by expanding our fleets too. We are constantly training our staff both abroad and locally to learn how to operate and maintain these new equipment so as to maximize their productivity, Basil said. 

NAMA

 NAMA to Train Airspace Managers on Global Air Navigation Plan 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has concluded arrangements to train Airspace Managers across all airports in Nigeria on Global Air Navigation Plan. 

This, according to the agency is targeted at equipping them with global trends in strategic air traffic management and also building their capacity for seamless airspace operations in their various domains.

Acting Managing Director of the agency, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok disclosed this over the weekend in Port Harcourt during this year’s Airspace Managers Forum and added that it had become imperative that Airspace Managers at the nation’s airports are kept abreast of global trends in airspace management. 

Pwajok explained that the training would expose managers to Global Air Navigation Plan, Regional Air Navigation Plan and National Air Navigation Plan just as it would keep them acquainted with the Civil Aviation Policy which is the framework that guides operations nationally. 

His words, “you must also be kept abreast of the Aviation Roadmap or Masterplan of the Federal Government; our Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Masterplan and the milestones towards attaining these masterplans because these are frameworks within which we are expected to operate in carrying out our statutory function as the nation’s airspace manager.”

   

The NAMA boss said Airspace Managers needed to be top-notched in understanding the national air navigation plan as it relates to the implementation strategies, milestones, timelines, technology roadmaps for achieving the national plan and the strategic position of NAMA in the entire plan, even as he solicited for their buy-in to ensure successful implementation.

Pwajok stressed that with the increased pressure on the aviation industry at the global, regional and national level following the growth in passenger and cargo, there is the need for the agency to grow capacity to be able to cope with the increasing traffic, adding that insecurity, expansion in the economy and the upsurge in political activities in Nigeria have also accounted for increased demand for air travel, hence the need for strategic air traffic management that would ensure seamlessness in operations. 

He further cautioned managers at airports with limited hours of operations not to turn down requests for extension of services especially at this period of electioneering as this could be given political colouration. 

“The honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika sees aviation as a support role to every sector and to everybody, irrespective of political leaning,” Pwajok said. 

“Airports the world over are best handled by experts who run them as a business and not the government. Concessioning of airports in Nigeria would attract direct foreign investment necessary for export expansion, development of aerotropolis, airport cities, cargo terminals as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations, “ he maintained.   

AIB-N Assures Commitment

  AIB-N Assures Commitment to Improved Air Safety 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N), Akin Olateru has assured its agency resolve to double efforts towards enhancing aviation safety in Africa and beyond through quality investigations of air mishaps.

Engr. Olateru gave this assurance on Monday at the conclusion of the week-long workshops organised by the Bureau and Bangul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) in partnership with African  Union(AU) and European Union, (EU) under the  Aviation Safety for Africa,(EU-ASA). 

The Commissioner who was duly represented by the Director of Engineering, Engr. Muhammad Wali, affirmed that AIB would continue to work in partnership with relevant agencies and stakeholders in the aviation industry for  a secure airspace in the African sub-region and beyond.

He added that the Bureau’s  resolve to continue to align to the current  trends of enhancing aviation safety through improved technology, training and retraining of the personnel, contributes meaningfully to the achievement of the Bureau’s mandate.

However, the BAGAIA Commissioner, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh, in his speech, appreciated the AIB management, the  Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and AU for their support and cooperation towards the  successful completion of the workshops, which was organised as part of efforts to drive safety measures and quick response during air mishaps in Nigeria and other African countries.

Erhueh also called on the participants of the workshops to ensure that they put all the knowledge and skills acquired at the training into practice at their various organisations.

The week-long workshops was titled the Role of Accident and Incident Investigation in the State Safety programmes (SSP), and Flight Recorder- Recorder and Beyond.

 Participants at the workshops were drawn from AIB, NCAA, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), the  BAGAIA, amongst others.