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Tag: Minister

  • 2024: Festus Keyamo assures on aviation safety

    2024: Festus Keyamo assures on aviation safety

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has reiterated his commitment to ensuring highest standards of safety, efficiency, and reliability for air travelers, airlines, and all stakeholders.

    Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, made available to journalists in Lagos

    He said that the minister’s stance projected the promising outlook for 2024.

    Moshood said that the minister was committed to strict adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) minimal standards and safety, while promising enabling environment for growth.

    He thanked the aviation community for 2023’s collaboration, and partnership in 2024, while assuring operators in the industry of protection.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, extends its sincere gratitude to the entire aviation community for their resilience and collaboration throughout the past year.

    “In a bid to reinforce the industry’s global standing, the Honourable Minister reassures all parties of his unwavering dedication to strict adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) minimal standards.

    “One of the cornerstones of this commitment is the protection of operators within the industry.

    “The office of the Minister emphasises its role as a facilitator, working collaboratively with airlines, service providers, and other stakeholders to create an environment conducive to growth and sustainability.”

    He said that the minister affirmed his stance on non-interference in safety standards.

    “Recognising the paramount importance of maintaining and elevating safety protocols, he pledges to uphold and support the decisions of aviation regulatory bodies, ensuring that safety remains top priority.

    “As we embark on a new year, the Nigerian aviation industry welcomes all air travelers, airlines, and organisations with open arms.

    “Together, we look forward to a future where safety, innovation, and collaboration define our shared journey,” he said.

  • CARTOON OF THE DAY: Sack that Wiked Minister

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: Sack that Wiked Minister

  • EFCC arrests former Minister over corruption

    EFCC arrests former Minister over corruption

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested a former Minister of State for Power, Olu Agunloye over corruption.

    Agunloye was a minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government between 1999 and 2003.

    TheNewsGuru.com reported that EFCC declared Agunloye wanted over his role in the $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

    Former President Obasanjo had accused Agunloye of mismanaging the power project during his tenure from 1999 to 2003 and failed to brief him on the state of the project.

    Obasanjo had accused Agunloye of fraudulently awarding the contract for the power project to Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd, without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
    Sunrise is currently in arbitration against Nigeria demanding billions of dollars for the failed contract.

    However, Agunloye has denied any wrongdoing in the project and said that Obasanjo was merely distorting information against him.

    It was learnt that the former minister is being detained at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    “He has been with the EFCC since December 13th. But it was not made public”, the source said, adding that an investigation is still ongoing on the role played by the former minister on the failed Mambilla Power Project.

  • Women affairs minister orders arrest of Uyo Lawyer over assaulting wife

    Women affairs minister orders arrest of Uyo Lawyer over assaulting wife

    Following a viral video of Uyo-based lawyer known as Mr Ebong who was seen assaulting his wife, the  Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohanenye has ordered the arrest of the lawyer.

    Mr Ebong in the video was seen standing over his bloodied wife who was in her underwear, while several people intervened stopping him from beating her.

    Reacting to the horrible scene on Sunday via a post on X, the minister wrote, “Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Nigeria has ordered the arrest of this demonized lawyer Mr Ebong, who must face the law squally and I promise this act can not be swept under the carpet.”

    Hon.Ohanenye insisted the lawyer would face the law irrespective of the wife’s refusal to push for prosecution.

    “Even if the woman decides she doesn’t want her husband to be sued, due to family pressure. the man must face the law as justice will have its way.”

    She also reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ending gender-based violence in the country

    “This remains one of the most insane and unbelievable scenes one has seen in the brutalization of women.”

    “As I have always emphasised, this is a ‘Renewed Hope’ government and such an act can not be allowed in our country.”

     

     

  • How Tinubu should replace ex-minister, Simon Lalong – APC chieftain

    How Tinubu should replace ex-minister, Simon Lalong – APC chieftain

    Former House of Reps member, Alphonsus Komsol,  has urged President Bola Tinubu to replace former Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Lalong with a new minister from the Plateau Central Senatorial Zone, for equity.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, made the call in an open letter to the president on Sunday, following the resignation of Lalong on Wednesday.

    According to him, his suggestion is informed by the urgent need for the president to address diverse issues that bordered on inclusiveness, geopolitics, ethnic balance, equity, and fairness on the Plateau.

    Komsol was the Secretary, Presidential Campaign Council’s Contact and Mobilisation Committee, North-Central Zone; Plateau Coordinator, Independent Campaign Council for Asiwaju, and Member, APC’s Election Planning and Strategic Committee.

    He said such a decision would determine APC’s success in Plateau.

    “The reason for my selfless suggestion is not far-fetched: It is noteworthy that Lalong is from Plateau South Senatorial Zone, which has produced 6 ministers since 1999.

    He said those ministers were Pauline Tallen (twice), Fidelis Tapgun and his sister, Josephine Tapgun, Solomon Dalung and, lately, Lalong.

    “However, Plateau Central Senatorial Zone has produced just one minister (Bagudu Hirse) since 1999. Paradoxically, this is a zone that usually returns some of the highest votes for the APC in virtually all elections since the formation of our party about 10 years ago.”

    The former lawmaker said that the marginalised central zone had some of the major financiers and biggest founding fathers of the APC, who were also the president’s ‘die-hard’ political supporters and best hands, who the ministerial cap perfectly fit.

    Komsol also said that like Plateau South, Plateau North had produced five ministers since 1999: Damishi Sango, Mark Aku, Musa Izam, Dasuki Nakande and Sarah Ochekpe, who were picked from different ethnic groups within the senatorial zone.

    “I write to you with a deep sense of both passion and compassion, driven by pure patriotism, with a good intent for our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), your government, Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

    “This is especially against the backdrop of your glaring strong will in governance, which has so far in record time, engendered notable reforms across all sectors, including infrastructure and human resource development.

    “To this end, Mr President, I emphatically and unequivocally implore you to kindly do the needful, do your utmost and justice to the raging controversy over the next ministerial slot for Plateau State by giving it to Plateau Central Senatorial Zone.”

    The former lawmaker added that giving the next Plateau ministerial slot to the marginalised central zone would go a long way to strengthen the party and avoid any likely political implosion that could arise, if it is done otherwise.

    Komsol lauded Tinubu for having an ingenuous way of identifying his die-hard political loyalists and rewarding them, as well as having an uncanny ability to mobilise the best minds and strengthen alliances across the country for the common good.

    “You will agree with me that being the president of a country like Nigeria takes a lot of courage and gut, which you must display by listening to the voice of the people.

    “How you deal with diverse issues that border on geopolitics, ethnic balance, equity, and fairness, by carrying everyone along will determine how far you, our party and your government can succeed, going forward,” the APC chieftain added.

    It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal in a recent judgment, declared Lalong winner of Plateau South Senatorial Zone, culminating in his resignation on Wednesday to go to the Senate.

  • ‘Wahala de’: N532.5bn too tiny to end poverty in Nig, Humanitarian minister tells Senate

    ‘Wahala de’: N532.5bn too tiny to end poverty in Nig, Humanitarian minister tells Senate

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Beta Edu has cried out that except the allocation to her ministry in the 2024 budget is appropriately raised, she would be completely unable to meet her mandate of tackling poverty in the country.

    Edu spoke during the defence of the 2024 budget of her ministry before the National Assembly joint Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on Tuesday.

    She said her ministry was given an overhead ceiling of N532.5 billion which represents a 28 per cent increase over the 2023 budget to cushion the effects of inflation.

    “It is pertinent to note that the 28 per cent increase in the overhead ceiling is not commensurate to the 27.33 per cent inflationary rate in the economy today.

    “Conversely, the capital budget ceiling was reduced from N3.7 billion in 2022 to N1.3 billion in 2023 and this represents 71 per cent reduction.

    However, the pittance capital ceiling of N1.5 billion, an increase from the current year’s budget, does not in any way match the mandate of the ministry to shrink poverty in Nigeria.

    “Simply put, there was over 71 per cent reduction between 2022 and 2023 so the minimal increase between 2023 and 2024 does not in any way match the mandate which we have been given and what is expected of us.

    At this point, I will plead humbly and sincerely with the chairman, co-chair and members of this great committee that as we look into Nigeria as a nation, “the burden lies on us to actually tackle the issue of poverty with sincerity.

    “One thing you can take from me and my team working under President Bola Tinubu is that he truly wants Nigerians to be out of poverty.

    “Except the budget is appropriately raised, we would be completely unable to meet that mandate.

    It will be words that would not be matched with actions. I am happy that you represent constituencies and senatorial zones. A lot is expected of you from your constituencies to meet their real sincere demands.”

    Edu said the ministry has several special projects which will be used to meet its target.

    She said the Federal Executive Council recently approved the creation of Humanitarian and Poverty Eradication Trust Fund.

    According to her, the trust fund is expected to receive contributions from the Federal Government, 30 per cent counterpart funding from donor agencies and development partners.

    “We also have 30 per cent coming from the private sector and 10 per cent from other innovative funds of resource mobilisation which we have already started engaging in our over 111 days in office.

    She appealed to the committee and the appropriation committee to help the ministry by providing an appropriation for its budget line.

  • Just In: Minister tenders resignation letter after meeting with president

    Just In: Minister tenders resignation letter after meeting with president

    Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa has announced his resignation following his alleged involvement in corruption.

    The Prime Minister tendered his resignation on Tuesday after meeting with the country’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

    In a press conference, Costa said, “The duties of the Prime Minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity. In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the president of the Republic.”

    Prior to the announcement, Portuguese media on Tuesday reported that investigators had searched several ministries as well as Costa’s offices.

    Public prosecutors later said they had indicted Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba and issued an arrest warrant for Costa’s chief of staff.

    The investigation covers alleged “misuse of funds, active and passive corruption by political figures, and influence peddling,” according to a statement from public prosecutors.

  • Crash: I’m in good spirits, says Minister of Power, Adelabu

    Crash: I’m in good spirits, says Minister of Power, Adelabu

    Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, on Saturday allayed fears about his safety following Friday’s incident near the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    A source close to the Minister told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that Adelabu was in good spirits and not perturbed by the incident.

    NAN reports that the private aircraft which had the minister and some of his aides had crash-landed near the airport late Friday evening.

    ”The Minister feels the incident is not something to worry about. It was actually a minor thing, and that is how he has taken it,” an aide of the Minister, who asked to stay anonymous, said.

    He told NAN further that the Minister was particularly not worried by the incident because it did not involve any of the passengers leaving with any injury.

    ”Everyone on board the aircraft when the incident happened actually alighted without any problem, and we have no cause to worry,” the aide said.

    The aircraft had departed Abuja with Ibadan as its destination, but it landed about 50 metres short of the threshold and skidded into a ditch close to the runway.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in a statement issued on Saturday, said it had commenced investigation into the cause of the incident.

    “On the accident involving an aircraft operated by Flint Aero which occured at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Ibadan, please be informed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into the cause.”

    Our investigators are on site and further information will be provided as soon as possible,” NSIB said in the statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr James Odaudu

  • BREAKING! Serving minister, others escape death as plane conveying them skids off track

    BREAKING! Serving minister, others escape death as plane conveying them skids off track

    Air passengers, including an unidentified minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration narrowly escaped death as private aircraft conveying them skids off runway at Ibadan Airport on Friday evening.

    There was neither reported loss of lives nor property as men of the State Fire Services, Federal Fire Services, and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Fire Services in a combined service arrested the situation.

    The aircraft as informed took off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the State Fire Service, Yemi Adeyimika said, “Yes, it is true, Our men are on their way but I don’t have details now.

    He said that his men arrived the scene of the incident on time but met other fire services from other agencies on ground.

    What could have resulted in monumental loss was timely averted.

    There was neither loss of lives or property as the situation has been put under control.

  • Nigerian Press will breath, flourish under President Tinubu – Minister

    Nigerian Press will breath, flourish under President Tinubu – Minister

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the Nigerian Press will breath and flourish under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

    The minister gave the assurance during his maiden visit to the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that the NPC would discharge its responsibilities diligently as a regulator without gagging any newspaper organisation.

    “NPC is not as harmful as we used to think. Under my watch, we will not allow it to be harmful; we will ensure that it carries its functions in such a way and manner that press freedom is respected and guaranteed.

    “Also, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the media will breath. The President and all members of the Federal Executive Council including me have no intention whatsoever to gag the Nigerian Press.

    “Indeed, Nigerian Press will flourish under the administration of President Tinubu and everything it requires for it to function, the enabling environment will be there more than ever before,” he assured.

    Idris however said that in enjoying its freedom the media must also be aware of its responsibilities to the nation.

    “Tinubu has no intention to gag the Nigerian Press, but the freedom that the Nigerian Press has, also comes with responsibility, you cannot enjoy freedom and think that responsibility is no longer yours.

    “Yes, there will be press freedom, but how do you exercise that press freedom? It is important and imperative for every government to ensure that the press is allowed to do its job.

    “We have seen it in history that the more you try to test the press, the more problematic it becomes for you, and Nigeria has reached such an advance stage in its democratisation process that no one would gag the press at this point,’’ Idris said.

    The minister explained that self-regulation by the media remains the best form of regulation.

    He recalled that the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria     had came up with the Ombudsman to regulate the activities of its members.

    “If that is done and deepened further, that regulation that government was thinking about will probably not be necessary,” Idris said.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NPC, Mr Francis Nwosu, said that the council was created to promote high professional standards for the Nigeria Press.

    Nwosu explained that the council looked into complaints about the press and the conduct of any person or organisation towards the press, and was engaged in the training of journalists.

    He added that it also monitor the activities of the press with a view to ensuring compliance with professional and ethical code of conduct of the Nigeria Journalist.

    “Our challenges include disagreement over NPC Law, lack of permanent office accommodation, funding, erroneous classification of the council as a professional body and many others.

    “To overcome the above challenges, there is need for the amendment of the NPC Act, and the need for OMBUDSMAN,’’ Nwosu said.

    The NPC boss drew the attention of the minister to the recommendation of the presidential committee on salaries which advised government to stop funding the council from January 2024.

    “This has been giving me sleepless nights. It has also brought about apprehension among the staff that are not sure of what will happen to them, especially as Federal Government employees.

    “If the funding will stop, then we plea for two years moratorium, Grant from Federal Government, permanent office accommodation and also a three to five years extension to enable the Council reposition itself before the stoppage of the funding,’’ Nwosu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister has so far visited the Nigerian Television Authority, National Broadcasting Commission, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, NAN, National Orientation Agency, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and NPC.