AIB SAUDI AND NSIB

 NSIB Inks Deal with AIB SAUDI ARABIA 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Accident Investigation Bureau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (AIB-KSA) to enhance aviation safety in both countries.

This was contained in a release signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs of NSIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi and made available to journalists on Monday evening. 

Engr. Akin Olateru, Director General of the Bureau noted that the MoU, which was signed today by both parties at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, would ensure cooperation and assistance in the field of civil aircraft accident and incident investigation.

According to the Bureau Chief, the cooperation agreement would also allow both parties to assist in the areas of investigation training, sharing of information and expertise consistent with the Standard and Recommended Practices of Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention.

He said, “You have to understand that there is only one aviation in the world and the rule of the game is cooperation. There is no country that is an island. We need to work together as a team to enhance safety. Yes we are both established, we have equipment and human capital but there are a lot of lessons we can learn from each other. It is all about improving safety of the flying public.”

Also speaking on the agreement, the Director-General, AIB-KSA, Abdulelah O. Felemban, said “We are here in Nigeria to sign an MoU with our counterpart on an Executive Cooperation Programme to promote aviation safety. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from accident investigation. The benefit for both of us is that we get to learn from each other, exchange information and exchange knowledge with our counterpart”.

The MoU signing ceremony, which was witnessed by the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, took place alongside the International Conference on Air  Negotiations (ICAN) 2022 hosted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The NSIB, under its previous name, Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N), had signed international agreements with France BEA, Sao-Tome and Principe, Sierra-Leone and Benin Republic; It has also signed local agreements with the Nigerian Air force, the University of Lagos, the University of Ilorin amongst others and is currently seeking agreements with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police , Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) and the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“AIB-N is in the process of transitioning to the NSIB, a unified investigation agency charged with the responsibility of investigating accident and serious incident occurrences in air, rail, marine and other modes of transportation,” Mr. Oketunbi said in the statement. 

Osun-Osogbo River

 Gold Mining: A Threat to the Myths of Osun River

ZAINAB JUNAID

Osun River is one of the powerful river from Igede-Ekiti in Ondo State, which serves Osun, Oyo State - Asejire, Ogun State and Lagos State – Epe, before entering Lagoon and the Oceans.

It is known for providing for the needs of its people and has been able to give the barren- babies; and also change the lives of many.

It is one of the several rivers known for its local mythology—women turning into flowing waters after facing traumatic events that frightened or angered them.

Thereafter, it has tremendously turnaround to become a sacred and reserved area where dirt and other unlawful activities are not meant to take place all for its attributes of changing the lives of many positively.

But when this myth of serving as the main identity of Osun State people and the attribute of being symbolic to the African belief system, is being threatened by some illegal and unregulated gold mining activities that has attracted about 15000 illegal miners; the Chinese Miners inclusive, then danger looms.

A situation where the Sacred River gradually changed to cloudy colour, becoming unsafe for indigenous consumption, endangering the cultural and biodiversity significance of its nature, calls for drastic measures to be adopted by both the State and Federal Government for this menace to be curbed.

The River that is internationally recognized as the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) World Heritage center, is now contaminated with heavy metals that includes Lead, Mercury, cyanide among others.

A development that now serves as a threat to the river and the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove- a Grove that is several centuries old and is among the last of the sacred forests that once adjoined the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanization. Osun-Osogbo sacred grove is along the banks of the Osun river just outside the city of Osogbo, Osun State of Nigeria.

These unregulated activities have trapped many communities in the state, and caused them pains through the exploration of gold as the river is a main source of water for the people of Osun State.

The river started changing colour in 2018 as a result of this illegal and unregulated licensed gold mining activities at the upper course.

Both Federal and Osun State Government have been lukewarm about the life-threatening situation. despite several independent report by different organizations and the media on this development.

The Osun State Government on its part has remained unserious about the contamination, by only paying lip service to it without taking any significant move.

“The Federal Government under whose the root-cause (mining) falls have also not given the expected attention to the problem,” Anthony Adejuwon, Convener ‘Save Osun River’ CAMPAIGN and also Team Lead, Urban Alert had reported.

Also at an interactive session with journalists at a Water Reporting Summit jointly organized by Bertha Foundation and Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation with the theme—“A Nation in Thirst” recently, a recorded documentary rolled out depicted the lackadaisical attitude put forward by these illegal miners towards the river. This is a sign of no respect for the value of life.

Just as Mr. Kayode Ogunbunmi, Publisher City Voice newspaper, also confirmed that the impacted local communities are left to pay the cost of this illegal mining without getting any of its benefits, government need to adopt urgent resolution to abate this illegal act of the miners.

The Federal Government as a matter of urgency need to put an end to the continuous contamination of the river by these illegal gold miners; Make available Security Patrol Van at the River Bank to arrest any invader; Clean the river henceforth and ensure the enforcement of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 which protects water bodies and mining host communities on all the illegal miners.

Government should also push forward policies that will help save over 2million people living in the 23 communities of the state who not only depend on the Osun River, but also see it as an identity of Osun State and also symbolic to the African belief system. 

AIB-N to NSIB

AIB-N BEGINS TRANSITION TO NSIB

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) has commenced the process for the transition into a multimodal accident investigation body with the setting up of an in-house committee for the implementation of the new act on the establishment of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

This followed the assent of the new NSIB Act 2022 by President Muhammed Buhari and the Supreme Court Gazette, which was released on November 28, 2022.

A statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs of the Bureau, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, partly read that with the new development, the nomenclature of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau has thus changed from Commissioner to Director-General of NSIB. 

In the statement, “The newly established NSIB is now responsible for the investigation of air, marine, rail and other modes of transportation serious incidents and accidents in Nigeria and anywhere the country’s interest is affected."

The statement further confirmed the Commissioner of the Bureau, Engr. Akin Olateru said “The new Act will further enhance safety in all modes of transportation in the country as serious incidents and accidents would be investigated and recurrence prevented”.

Olateru, according to the statement, said, “With this development, Nigeria would be moving with global trends in ensuring safety in all transportation modes. The National Assembly has done great passing the bill and the President given his consent made it a realisable dream. I also commend Hon. Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and the Federal Ministry of Aviation for championing the creation of the NSIB, as this will open a new chapter in Transportation Safety in Nigeria.”

On the inauguration of the committee for the implementation of the new act that establishes the NSIB, the Commissioner commended the staff and management of AIB-N for their support and sacrifices of ensuring that the bill saw the light of day.

His words, “We did it together in the interest of the country. I salute your commitment, sacrifices and determination without which we would not have achieved this”.

“The expansion of AIB-N scope of operations into a multimodal agency was one of the cardinal programmes of Engr. Akin Olateru when he assumed office in 2017.

“With this in mind, the Bureau, under his leadership had vigorously canvassed for the establishment of the NSIB that would enable the Bureau to extend its mandate to cover not only the investigation of air mishaps but also that of other modes of transportation in accordance with global standard practices."

However, the Commissioner, in 2020, at a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Aviation and the House Committee on Aviation for the passage of the NSIB bill, had assured the committee that the NSIB would enable the Bureau to improve the safety standard of the country’s transportation network through quality investigation of accident and serious incident occurrences, timely publication of reports and safety recommendations.

“AIB-N, whose mandate was to investigate air mishaps in the country, with its rigorous investigations and timely release of reports and safety recommendations, has greatly enhanced safety within the industry.

“The Bureau, from inception, has released 71 reports and 252 safety recommendations, out of which 58 reports and 194 safety recommendations were released by Olateru’s administration.

“The current administration at AIB-N also released four safety Bulletins since assumption of office in 2017.

“This safety standard achieved in the aviation industry would now be replicated in other modes of transportation in the country through the NSIB.

The purpose of accident investigation is not to apportion blame or liability but to prevent future recurrence of similar incidents,” the statement read. 

FAA Sets December 31 as Deadline-AFRAA

 FAA Wants Some Airlines to Replace Radio Altimeter, sets December 31, as Deadline

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Federal Aviation Administration has set December 31, 2022 as the deadline for particular aircraft models including Airbus A300, A320, A330, A340, B737 classic, B747 and B757 respectively, to have their radio Altimeter retrofitted or face sanction.

Raphael Kuuchi, Aviation Management Consultant, disclosed this at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) virtual Industry Affairs briefing held yesterday.

Raphael said aircraft that are not retrofitted will be subject to restrictions in the US market.

Radio Altimeters are used to give data on airplanes height above ground for bad weather landings but the roll out of the new 5G band technology in the State is causing interference.

Kuuchi maintained that airlines that do not comply may face sanction as FAA had said.

However, FAA according to reports had earlier notified airlines in May this year to ensure they comply with this regulations but an airline trade group had declined comment in this regard, hence the sanction notice from the Administration. 

On Passenger Revenue loss for African Airlines, he said in 2022 compared to 2019, it is estimated to $3.5 billion representing 20% of 2019 revenue; in third quarter of the year 2022, the loss is $0.8 billion while that of fourth quarter stood at $0.4 billion. 

Aero Contractors to Relaunch Flight

 Aero Contractors to Relaunch Flight Operations in December 5 

Nigeria’s oldest aviation company Aero Contractors is relaunching scheduled services in the Nigerian market to ten destinations from Monday, December 5th, 2022.

The airline suspended scheduled services on July 20 and having satisfied regulatory requirements, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA) has given approval for Aero Contractors to commence operations.

The airline will be operating with Boeing 737 and Dash 8 (Q-400) servicing ten destinations. These destinations include Warri, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Benin, Yola, Sokoto, Kano, Asaba, and Calabar.

Aero Contractors is commencing operations with a new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Ado Sanusi and a new Chief Finance Officer, Charles Grant.

The airline has three business units, namely: the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), the fixed and rotary wing airline operation, and the training unit.

According to the airline’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Ado: “We are pleased and delighted to return to services after a few months. We thank all our stakeholders who have been supportive, particularly the NCAA, our management, and staff. I admit that we missed our customers dearly.

“We are determined to offer great travel experience to our customers during this season and beyond We look forward to welcoming them on board.”

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.