Flowerbud News

Month: December 2023

  • Breaking: Tinubu sacks MDs of FAAN, NAMA, other aviation agencies CEOs

    Breaking: Tinubu sacks MDs of FAAN, NAMA, other aviation agencies CEOs

    By Ismail Abdulaziz

    Abuja: Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, has been removed from office.

     

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the suspension, removal, and replacement of Chief Executive Officers under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development

     

    The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, has been removed from office and replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of FAAN..

     

    Also, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo, has been removed from office and replaced with Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk as the substantive Managing Director of NAMA.

     

    This was contained in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale.

     

    According to him, the sack is in tandem with his Renewed Hope Agenda, which is to bring world-class standards to Nigerian Civil Aviation in consumer protection and the promotion of the well-being of Nigerian passengers and the high cost of underperformance in the sector.

     

    The statement partly read, “The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, has been removed from office and replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

     

    “Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo, has been removed from office and replaced with Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk is the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.“

     

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akinola Olateru has been removed from office and replaced with Mr. Alex Badeh Jr. as the substantive Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

     

    Also affected with the changes is the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu. He has been removed from office and replaced with Prof. Charles Anosike as the substantive Director-General of the NiMET.

     

    The Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo has been removed from office and replaced with Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe as the Acting Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), pending the appointment of a substantive Rector, in accordance with Section 13(2) of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022.

  • Don’t take your appointment for granted, CJN tells FHC judges

    Don’t take your appointment for granted, CJN tells FHC judges

     

    Abuja:  The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Wednesday, cautioned the Federal High Court (FHC) judges against taken their appointment for granted.

    Justice Ariwoola, who made the statement while declaring open the 39th Annual FHC Judges’ Conference and the FHC’s 50th Anniversary Lectures in Abuja, urged them not to hesitate to consult to bring the best out of their rulings and judgments.

    The CJN enjoined the judges to be hardworking and diligent in justice delivery, while calling on them to always write their judgements in a way that the appellate court would always affirm.

    (L to R: The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, at the opening of the 39th Annual FHC Judges’ Conference and the FHC’s 50th Anniversary Lectures on Wednesday in Abuja.)

    “Anyone that is lucky to be appointed to this court, without mincing words, is indeed very lucky and should not take that for granted.
    “I implore you all to please continue to work very hard; work hard and harder and go extra mile each time.

    “Do not assume that what then are the gentlemen at the appellate court doing. No, let that (appellate) court affirm your decisions.
    “Always write your judgments that the appellate court will have no choice than to affirm your decisions.

    “Don’t leave any loophole,” he said
    According to CJN, to be a judge, certainly, is not a child’s play, particularly at your court where you don’t sit as panel; you sit as a lone ranger.
    “You sit all alone, you are the lord of the court. Please, always go extra mile even in what you consider a simple application.

    “It is your court. You are not there to impress anyone at all. If you need to take a break to consult your note, to consult your books before you rule, no application by counsel is simple.
    “Make relevant consultations and come to give your ruling,” he said.

    Ariwoola, who said the judges should not feel threatened if lawyers opted to go on appeal, said “an appeal is an entitlement.

    “That is what the Appeal Court is there for.”
    The CJN, who described the FHC as the largest court in Nigeria, said it was the best of the courts of trial.

    “The jurisdiction of the court has kept being expanded. It is the only court that has originating jurisdiction on electoral matters,” he said.

    He said though FHC was not the only federal court, it was, however, the best of the federal courts.

    He expressed optimism that the judges would gain a lot from the wealth of experience of the lecturers.

    Earlier, the Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, said it had been the practice of the court from inception for judges of the court to meet annually to appraise the activities of the previous year, with a view to finding solutions to identified problems.

    “The object of this conference, therefore, is to critically discuss any issues confronting us as a court and seek remedies to them.

    “We will also be addressed by practitioners in different fields of knowledge and learning, which will help us to continue to have a grip on our health and intellectual competence,” he said.

    He said the FHC would always seek ways and means to enhance justice delivery in the country.(NAN)www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • Group petitions IGP, urges alleged visa scam, sexual exploitation

    Group petitions IGP, urges alleged visa scam, sexual exploitation

     

    By Peter Okolie
    Owerri:   A South-East-based Civil Society Coalition (CSC), ÓNÚRÚBE, has petitioned the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, over a series of visa scams allegedly perpetrated by one Chiadikaobi Nnaji.

    The coalition alleged in the petition, made available to newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday, that Nnaji defrauded at least 14 persons.

    The petition was signed by the Convener of the CSC, Mrs Marjorie Ezihe, and 12 others from different civil society groups across the zone.

    The coalition alleged that Nnaji obtained money by tricks from his victims, believing that he was a citizen of different countries and with the necessary contact to effect and perfect their travel plans.

    The group, which combats gender-based violence, also alleged that the suspect mischievously targeted young ladies in the five South East states for emotional and sexual exploitation.

    “In some instances, he is alleged to proceeding as far as contracting traditional marriage proposals and ceremony with some female victims, whilst fraudulently siphoning money from these unsuspecting ladies and family members,” the CSC stated.

    It noted that the mental health of the victims were greatly compromised, leading to the alleged death of two female victims.

    The petition, which was copied to the Assistant Inspector-Generals in-charge of Zone 9 and 13, further alleged that Nnaji defrauded a dozen women and two men between 2011 and 2023.

    The petition reads in parts: “Sir, we received information of his apprehension from Lagos and detention by the Imo Police Command Headquarters on November 22 and went to the Police Command Headquarters the next day to confirm the report.

    “Accompanied by one of his female victims, who came in from Enugu, we were informed by the Gender Unit of the command that he has been released due to the6 absence of complainants.

    “We were to go to Enugu to look for him as they believed he was re-arrested by Zone 13 Enugu.

    “Ónúrúbe considers this action worrisome and justice pervasion to release a serial criminal suspect, who was apprehended through the physical and logistical efforts of a victim of his alleged crime.”

    The group described the release of the suspect from police custody as “grossly insensitive to the plight of the victims and ignorance of the very police regulations.”

    It further said that Nnaji’s release threw up suspicion of police compromise.

    “We ascertained his presence in Enugu as well as credible information of moves by some Police Officers of Independence Layout Police Station, in further harassing and traumatising Nnaji’s victims in search of justice, and trying to get them to sign agreements in favour of the suspect,” the group stated.

    It alleged that the action of a certain serving senator, allegedly visiting the suspect, said to be his relation, “and the reported preferential treatment he receives in custody are prevailing concerns, which necessitated our making this petition an open advocacy for justice”.

    It also noted that Nnaji, through his alleged nefarious activties, had caused many of his victims’ loss of livelihood, accommodations and outright job sack.

    According to the group, this has caused depression to many, who constantly live in fear and trauma, as Nnaji allegedly threatens blackmail with nude pictures of the victims as well as alleged calls from self-claiming assassins, amongst other threats.

    The group, therefore, demanded thorough investigation into the allegations for Nnaji’s diligent prosecution in line with the Jurisdictional Legal frameworks through active engagement of Police mandate responsibility mechanisms.

    It also demanded that all details of accounts through which payments were made to the suspect as alleged should be investigated, while the owners of such accounts should be arrested and tried as accomplices.

    “That the family members of the suspect, including his mother and three sisters, be arrested as accomplices.

    “That all Police State Commands, especially in Zone 9 and 13, should explain their role and or the lack of it in perpetuating this alleged crime.

    “And that all police officers found complicit of aiding and abetting the suspect should be summarily tried and disciplined,” the group stated.

    The convener cautioned that any intention to compromise the case and pervert the cause of justice in the matter would be resisted by sister groups and all the civil society organisations in Nigeria and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • N30bn Demolishing Compensation: Kano Govt says garnishee fraudulent

    N30bn Demolishing Compensation: Kano Govt says garnishee fraudulent

    By Aminu Garko

    The Kano State Government says the garnishing order freezing its accounts obtained by some victims of its demolitions from an Abuja High Court is fraudulent.
    The government also assured on Wednesday in Kano that it was still operating its various accounts to administer the state.
    This is according to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Haruna Isa-Dederi.
    Isa-Dederi confirmed to newsmen that there was no way Court of same jurisdictions could even sit on a case it has decided on and which was since appealed against.
    He said it was on notice that the Kano state government had filed an appeal against the N30 billion punitive and compensation judgment handed down by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano.
    The judgment was in favour of the Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders on behalf of the victims.
    Isa-Dederi therefore wondered how can same Court of the same jurisdiction would give a judgment in Kano.
    According to him, the judgment ”was even done out of jurisdiction of the court”, which was also appealed against, querying how a similar court could issue another order on the same matter.
    Isa-Dederi explained that the Kano state government had filed an Appeal because the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, saying it revolved around ownership of the property in the first place and all records of proceeding were transmitted to the Appeal Court.
    The state chief law officer said even before the appeal, the government had filed a motion seeking a stay of execution pending the appeal, asking  ”so how can same court even sit on same case”.
    Besides, he confirmed that the record of the Federal High Court proceedings had already been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.
    The attorney general also disclosed that the Court of Appeal had already scheduled the hearing of the motion on stay of execution for Dec. 4.
    He stressed that it would be futile for the Federal High Court to make any orders on the issue, as the case is pending before the Appeal Court and it would be akin to a court sitting in appeal on its own judgment.
    Isa-Dederi reiterated that the Kano state government’s actions were supported by the provisions of the Land Use Act, which empowered the government to grant and revoke land allocations.
    He emphasised that the demolition of the properties was executed in overriding public interest.
    NAN
  • Airlines to pay compensation for delayed, canceled flights-Minister

    Airlines to pay compensation for delayed, canceled flights-Minister

    By Naomi Sharang

    The Ministry of Aviation, says it is working on plans to ensure that commercial airlines operating in Nigeria pay compensate to passengers for delayed or canceled flights as from January.

    The Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, said this when he appeared before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Aviation for 2024 budget defense.

    He said that the ministry also plans to publish the list of airlines that delayed or canceled flights in the media on a weekly basis as part of the efforts.

    “I have called the customers’ satisfactory commission regarding the treatment of Nigerians.

    “And I have said at the last address that I gave during our stakeholders meeting in Lagos and our retreat in Warri.

    “I said on a weekly basis, please publish the list of airlines that dont fly as at when due, canceled flights, delayed flights, how many hours it was delayed,” he said.

    Keyamo added:“For every delay, there is a report, an actual report by the regulator, what did they do? did they pay compensation?

    NAN

  • Medical leave: Ondo Assembly confirms receipt of letter from Akeredolu

    Medical leave: Ondo Assembly confirms receipt of letter from Akeredolu

    Alaba Olusola Oke

    The Ondo State House  of Assembly, on Wednesday, confirmed receipt of a letter from Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo requesting to proceed on medical leave in Germany.
    Mr Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure.
    Oladiji explained that the governor’s action was in line with Section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
    According  to the speaker, the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would assume the responsibilities of the governor in acting capacity pending when Akeredolu communicates to it his return to take-up his duties.
    He said that the letter stipulated that the leave would commence on Dec. 13.
    Oladiji, who expressed appreciation to God for the speedy recovery of the governor, expressed optimism that the governor would soon resume his duties.
    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the governor had similarly in July written to the legislative to request for medical leave and returned to the country on Sept. 7.
    NAN
  • “We’ll end insurgency, terrorism simultaneously,” – Defence minister

    “We’ll end insurgency, terrorism simultaneously,” – Defence minister

    By Fem Ogunshola

    The Ministry of Defence intends to use its 2023 supplementary budget and part of its 2024 budget to end insurgency and terrorism simultaneously, the minister, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, said in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “The purpose of the 2023 additional budget is to have simultaneous operations in all our theatres so we can end insecurity at once,’’ Badaru said.

    He made the declarations while defending the ministry’s budget at a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on defence.

    He said the ministry was determined to ensure that terrorists rooted from one location did not go to another to continue their heinous activities.

    Badaru said he believed that the Federal Government would end the war, but would not disclose its strategies openly.

    He commended the committees for always assisting the ministry in its resolve to end insecurity.

    The minister noted that the ministry’s N78.58 billion appropriation for 2024 was higher than the N62.9 billion appropriation for 2023, and commended the National Assembly for its commitment to end insecurity.

    He, however, called for an upward review of overhead costs in the 2024 budget in view of inflation and rising cost of diesel.

    “We want you to help us to increase our overhead cost. We consume a lot of fuel, and I appeal that this be looked into,’’ he said.

    In his submission, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, said the joint committee would work assiduously to scrutinise the ministry’s 2024 proposal.

    He noted that security remained the backbone for education, the economy, and others to function, adding that more resources should be given to defence to handle insecurity.

    Lawan noted also that it was not enough to approve money, but it was paramount to establish how such monies changed the situation.

    “If you are given N100 billion; how has it improved the security situation in the country’’? he queried.

    “It will not augur well to appropriate money without justification,’’ he stressed.

    The former Senate president commended security agencies for working hard to secure the country.

    In his contribution, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, said the National Assembly would continue to make efforts to invest in security to ensure the growth and development of the country.

    He said President Bola Tinubu had promised to ensure the security of all Nigerians irrespective of status, adding: “you must work to deliver the goal of the administration.’’

    He assured that the committee would ensure that all allocated resources added value, adding that lawmakers were not unaware of the challenges faced by armed forces, including the recent bombing in Kaduna.

    He promised that the committees would ensure adequate funding within available resources to respond to the desires of the military.

    NAN

  • Gov. Idris signs N250.1bn 2024 budget into law

    Gov. Idris signs N250.1bn 2024 budget into law

    By Idris Bello

    Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, has signed the state’s N250.1 billion 2024 appropriation bill into law.
    Idris assented to the budget at Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday after receiving the document from the Speaker, Alhaji Usman Muhammad-Ankwai.
    He expressed deep appreciation to the speaker and members of the assembly for the speedy passage of the 2024 budget .
    Idris commended the legislators for having  the welfare of people in the state at heart and for being alive to their responsibilities.
    “I can testify that it has never happened this way. We sent the budget, the house of assembly scrutinised it, debated the budget and at end of the day they passed the budget.
    “And they brought the budget, which I have signed today,” he said.
    The governor pledged to implement the budget to the letter, transparently and prioritising  infrastructural development and empowerment of people of the state.
    Earlier, Muhammad-Ankwai described the assent to the budget as a significant milestone in the democratic journey of the state.
    He said the budget was a culmination of extensive consultation, deliberation and rigorous scrutiny by dedicated members of the house.
    The speaker affirmed the commitment of the legislature to work together with the executive arm to hasten the development of the state for the benefit of the people.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had on Nov. 22, presented the budget proposal of N250.1 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
    NAN
  • Media must remain in vanguard of tracking budgetary process — NAN MD

    Media must remain in vanguard of tracking budgetary process — NAN MD

     

    By Chijioke Okoronkwo

    Abuja:  Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), says the media must spearhead the tracking of the country’s budgetary process to ensure that Nigerians get the actual value allocated in fiscal proposals.

    Ali made this submission on Wednesday in his goodwill message at the opening of a 2-day capacity building  for journalists, orgainsed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in collaboration with the Premium Times Academy in Abuja.

    The event is tagged “Training on Governance and Policy Reporting.’’

    According to Ali, the media has a critical role to play in promoting accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business.

    He said the role of the mass media was so crucial that the Nigerian Constitution made a provision for its preservation.

    “To ordinary Nigerians who today listen to the radio, watch the television, read the newspapers and of course surf the information superhighway, they are interfacing with various manifestations of the mass media in their daily lives.

    “So impactful is the influence of the mass media in our daily lives that the Nigerian constitution makes specific provisions to protect and preserve this institution which the British statesman, Edmund Burke, had described in 1787 as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

    “Section 22 of the constitution states that ‘The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.’”

    Ali said it was instructive to note that apart from the media, no other institution in Nigeria had been vested with the onerous constitutional watchdog responsibility of making government accountable to the people.

    He said the framers of the constitution were interested in deepening the crucial role of mass media in promoting Nigeria’s pluralist democracy, good governance and ensuring that the government upheld the objectives contained in the directive principles of state policy.

    “Of critical importance is the provision which talks about ensuring that ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’’’

    According to Ali, it is clear from the provisions that the media has a role to play in promoting the economic well-being of Nigeria and its diverse people through good governance and adequate reportage of public policies.

    “If there is agreement on this, how then can the media help in promoting good governance and by extension mitigate the current economic challenges in the country?’’

    He said that one such means was by focusing on development journalism which highlighted the human condition and sought measures to uplift standard of living through monitoring certain defined indicators.

    “Development journalism seeks to create awareness about socio-economic issues and the development initiatives to tackle them.

    “The media also has an important role to play in promoting accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business.

    “In this light, the media must remain in the vanguard of tracking the budgetary process to ensure that the Nigerian people get the actual value allocated in fiscal proposals,” he said.

    Earlier, in his welcome address, Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher, Premium Times, said the stakeholders believed that journalists should serve as watchdogs to ensure honest and productive governance, while focusing their coverage on issues vital to advancing citizens and society.

    Represented by Muskiliu Mojeed, Chief Operating Officer, Premium Times Group, Olorunyomi, said that the training was designed to help journalists with the skills needed to cover public policies, governance and democratic process in Nigeria which is Africa’s largest democracy.

    “We believe that governance and policy reporting should be informed by a more profound knowledge and skill level of how governments work and how public policy decisions are taken.

    “At the end of this training, we expect participants to develop deeper insights and understanding of the Nigerian system and how to deepen accountability in governance,” he said.

    While declaring open the training, Asishana Okauru, Director-General, NGF, said that journalists played a vital role in crafting and shaping policies.

    He said that journalists could potentially derail a well thought policy, as a result of poor messaging.

    “It is therefore extremely important that we work together to better understand the policy value chain.

    “For me, it will appear that in our environment, the implementation segment has been the weakest part of the entire policy value chain; this calls for patience and understanding,” he said.

    Participants at the training were drawn from various media outfits in the country.

    NAN/ Flowerbudnews