APPEAL COURT SACKS TINUBU’S MAN, MC OLUOMO AS NURTW NATIONAL PRESIDENT
APPEAL COURT SACKS TINUBU MAN, MC OLUOMO, AS NURTW NATIONAL PRESIDENT The emergence of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been invalidated by the Court of Appeal. The ruling of the Appeal Court also affirmed Tajudeen Baruwa as the re-elected NURTW president. Recall that the Southwest Zone of the NURTW had last week, elected MC Oluomo as the new National President. The election was conducted during the Quadrennial Delegate Conference held at the union’s Zonal Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State. The ally of President Bola Tinubu has since resumed office at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja. However, Court papers made available by Sahara Reporters on Friday show that the appellate court, in a unanimous judgement delivered on Friday, November 8, affirmed the March 11, 2024 ruling of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, on the re-election of Tajudeen Baruwa as the National President of the NURTW. The ruling was delivered by the trio of Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba and Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi. In the Appeal numbered CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024 between Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, Alh. Tajudeen Badru Agbede, Alh. Aliyu Isa Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alh. Alhasan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, Alh. Hakeem Adeosun as 1st to 7th Appellants and Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Eze Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Dahiru Uman, Suleiman Adamu, Odion Olaye J.P and Chief Herbert C. Iwuji as the 1st to 8th Respondents, the three Appeal Court judges dismissed the Appellants appeal and awarded a cost of ₦100,000 against them. The enrolled order of the judgement obtained by the aforementioned platform shows it was signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Judith M. Jabbe, and read by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka. The judgement reads, “This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 delivered on the 11th March, 2024 by Justice O. O. Oyewumi. “Upon Reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument; “And After Hearing, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, esq) Jimoh Balogun, Esq O. D. Emole, Esq I. Yunanah Esq) for the Appellants. “Tolu Babaleye Esq with Adeniyi Adejoke Esq, Maku Oluwatoyin Esq, B. T Ataine Esq for the Respondents; it is hereby ordered that: “This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.” Recall as earlier that Baruwa, who claims the title of National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has strongly opposed the inauguration of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the new President of the union. In a statement issued by his lawyer, Mr. Tolu Babaleye, Baruwa argued that MC Oluomo’s recent inauguration as National President disregards rulings by the National Industrial Court and Court of Appeal, both of which affirmed Baruwa as the union’s legitimate leader.
UNIZIK VC SPEAKS ON CONTROVERSIAL ACADEMIC RECORDS
UNIZIK VC SPEAKS ON CONTROVERSIAL ACADEMIC RECORDS Bernard Odoh has spoken on his controversial academic profile and appointment as the vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU) in Anambra State. Mr Odoh, a professor, emerged as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor of the university on 29 October. He hails from Ebonyi State, where he unsuccessfully sought to become governor in 2023 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance platform. NAU, a federal university in Anambra State, is popularly known as UNIZIK. The controversiesPREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Odoh’s academic profile and appointment as vice-chancellor were riddled with controversies. For instance, Mr Odoh’s profile published on the university’s website indicated that he served as a visiting professor at the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State, between July 2015 and October 2017. However, both FUGUS and the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) refuted Mr Odoh’s claims in separate letters in response to enquiries about his academic profile. Meanwhile, before Mr Odoh’s emergence as the vice-chancellor, the UNIZIK’s chapter of ASUU and the institution’s chapter of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) had alleged irregularities in both the announcement of the vacancy and the recruitment process. Three days after Mr Odoh’s emergence, the Federal Ministry of Education, through a memo dated 1 November 2024, nullified the appointment, accusing the university’s Governing Council of making the appointment “without representatives of the ministry, the internal council members and other stakeholders.” But the university, in a letter issued the same day by its Registrar and Secretary to Council, R.I. Nwokike, insisted that they “adhered strictly to a valid judgment from a competent court, which directed the council to exercise its statutory authority in appointing the vice-chancellor.” Bernard Odoh speaksBut Mr Odoh, in his first public response on Friday, said the education ministry lacks the power to nullify his appointment as the university’s vice-chancellor. At a press conference on Friday at GeoGold Hotel in Awka, Mr Odoh, through his spokesperson, Charles Otu, claimed he was appointed as a visiting professor at FUGUS in 2014 but was later promoted to the rank of full professor of applied geophysics at the institution in 2015. The press conference was streamed live on Facebook. Mr Odoh also claimed that the then FUGUS registrar who was in office when he (Odoh) was assessed and promoted had approached a court and sworn an affidavit “attesting to all the due and lawful processes” upon which the lecturer was “found worthy of such elevation.” But while fielding questions from reporters, the vice-chancellor declined to name the then FUGUS registrar, who approached and swore an affidavit in court attesting to the full professorship elevation. “Why I won’t mention the registrar’s name is that if the people who are in court go ahead with the litigation, that’s what we will meet them in court with, to prove (Odoh got his full professorship elevation),” he said. ‘The process was backed by court judgment’ Mr Odoh, during the press conference, argued that a court judgment backed his recruitment process. The vice-chancellor claimed that a National Industrial Court in Awka, had given “a consent judgment” validating the position of the Governing Council on its scoring templates developed for the exercise. He said a contender for the vice-chancellorship position, Anthony Okoye, a professor, instituted the suit. “Already, the said consent judgment paved the way for the council to proceed with its template as well as other well-laid-out plans to ensure a smooth conduct of the exercise,” he stated. Mr Odoh also argued that the university’s Governing Council, led by Greg Mbadiwe, had ensured fair hearing by replying to MDCAN, which had argued their allegation of being sidelined through the advertised qualifications for the position. The MDCAN…
WHY FG DIDN’T IMPLEMENT SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON LG COUNCILS – AGF
WHY FG DIDN’T IMPLEMENT SUPREME COURT DECISION ON LOCAL COUNCILS -AGF The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has explained why the Federal Government did not insist on the immediate implementation of the July 11 judgment of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to local gGovernments. Fagbemi said rather than insisting on prompt application of the judgment that could have created discomfort, the Federal Government adopted a humane and pragmatic approach to ensure that the implementation did not injure any interest. He said: “Since the judgment was handed down on July 11, we have been trying to give it the required humane, pragmatic solution.” The AGF explained that but for that decision, he would have given the Minister of Finance the required directive for the immediate application of the judgment. He said: “I can simply tell the Minister of Finance that this is the way, and that would have been it. “It is not meant to injure anybody. It is just to strengthen things. And it is in this regard that I want us look at it holistically as something that is affecting the interests of all of us. It is not impossible that one or two issues may give us some concern, but look at it in the overall interest our dear nation.” Fagbemi spoke Thursday in Abuja during the opening session of the meeting of the Body of Attorneys-General. The AGF was responding to a complaint by the Attorney General of Nasarawa State, Labaran Magaji (SAN), that the 36 states were having issues with the implementation of the apex court’s judgment. Fagbemi said he was interested in deepening relationship with states’ attorneys-general “to enable us continue to drive the much-needed change and create uniform solutions to challenges affecting justice delivery in Nigeria”. He added: “We must, therefore, continue to promote institutional engagement and avoid unnecessary litigation where possible.” The AGF urged those at the meeting to focus on anti-corruption, gender parity, protection of children, particularly those in contact with the law and other issues pertaining to the administration of criminal justice. According to him, the issues require harmonised approach to ensure effective national implementation for the benefit of our citizenry. Fagbemi urged government at all levels to adopt strategies and mechanisms to facilitate implementation of policies that enhance justice delivery and safeguard personal liberties of our citizens. He added: “We must commit to resolving cross-institutional problems as well as managing, implementing and coordinating all-inclusive reforms in the justice sector, to enhance justice delivery. “We must also continue to engage as stakeholders, to ensure that other critical challenges to our criminal justice system are addressed.” Magaji, who represented the Chairman of the Body of States’ Attorneys General (BOSAG), Prof. Benared Odoh of Ebonyi State, said there was a need for the gathering to collectively examine the Supreme Court’s judgment and its implementation. Magaji said: “We in the whole of the 36 states are having issues with the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on financial autonomy to Local Governments.” The Nasarawa State justice commissioner suggested that the matter be thoroughly examined in the course of the meeting to arrive at a mutual understanding on how states could navigate the challenges the judgment had thrown up. He hailed the AGF for providing the needed leadership for the nation’s justice sector and driving necessary reforms required to ensure effective justice delivery. Magaji assured the AGF of the states’ commissionera’ continued support and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice. The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, stressed the need for continuous collaboration between the ministry and the states’ justice commissioners. Jedy-Agba said such a collaboration and cooperation would…
NJC SENDS TWO JUDGES PACKING OVER AGE FALSIFICATION
NJC SENDS TWO JUDGES PACKING OVER FALSIFICATION OF AGE The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sanctioned five serving judicial officers for various acts of misconduct.Specifically, the Council at its 107th meeting held in Abuja suspended Justice G. C. Aguma of High Court of Rivers State from performing judicial functions for one year, and also placed him on watch-list for two years, thereafter.Also, Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court has been suspended from performing judicial functions for one year, and placed on watch-list for two years.The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.The duo – Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi – were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.The Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions and empanelled six committees for further investigation.Twenty-two complaints were dismissed for lacking in merit, while two were sub judice.The Council also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Justice O. A. Ojo, the Chief Judge, Osun State.The Council’s findings revealed that Justice G. C. Aguma committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.The Council found that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.The Council further found that the speed with which Justice Aguma took and granted the order against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention.On the part of Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons.Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from 27 October 2021, while all salaries and allowance he received in excess from 27 October 2021 till date is to be refunded to the Council.“The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth; 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958. However, 27 October 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.“Similarly, Council finds that Hon. Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10 December, 28 January and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.“The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908 (i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.“The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon.…
BREAKING: NJC SUSPENDS RIVERS, ANAMBRA HIGH COURT JUDGES, TAKES DECISION ON OTHERS
BREAKING: NJC SUSPENDS RIVERS, ANAMBRA HIGH COURT JUDGES, TAKES ACTION ON OTHERS The National Judicial Council (NJC) led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun has suspended two High Court judges over allegations of misconduct. Justice G.C. Aguma of the Rivers State High Court and Justice A.O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court will face a one-year suspension without pay, followed by a two-year under watch list. The Judicial Council recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, due to falsification of their ages. Meanwhile, the council cleared Justice Peter Lifu, stating that he neither demonstrated personal interest in the Rivers State case nor engaged in misconduct during the proceedings. Allegations of bribery against Justice Lifu were found to be unsubstantiated. The decisions were taken at its 107th Meeting of 13 and 14 November 2024, a statement signed by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq., NJC Deputy Director (Information), on Friday said. The statement said, “The Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled 6 Committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice. “The Council also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State. “The Council’s findings revealed that Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma, committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State. “The Council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his Court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja. “That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020. “The Council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention. “On the part of Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016. “He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons. “Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from 27 October 2021, while all salaries and allowance received in excess by His Lordship from 27 October 2021 till date should be refunded to the Council. “The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth; 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958. However, 27 October 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958. “Similarly, Council finds that Hon. Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10 December, 28 January and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was…
YOU’RE POOR STUDENT OF HISTORY, A CLOWN – ATIKU TELLS MAKINDE
YOU’RE POOR STUDENT OF HISTORY, A CLOWN – ATIKU TELLS MAKINDE Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as ‘a poor student of history’.Atiku, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, who spoke through Hon. Dimeji Fabiyi, challenged the governor ‘to an intellectual contest’He also described remarks by Makinde on the qualifying criteria for presidential candidates as portraying the governor as somebody who is not deep intellectually.Makinde had made a remark insinuating age as a limiting factor for presidential hopefuls in 2027.But Fabiyi, a leader of the PDP in Ogun State and pioneer financial officer of the PDP, in his response to Makinde, noted that Atiku is of sound mind and body, with the intellectual firmament that measures far ahead of Seyi Makinde. A statement signed by Fabiyi on Tuesday noted that while Atiku may be older than Makinde, he has the experience and a cosmopolitan ability to problem-solve. “As a matter of fact, I challenge Seyi Makinde to an intellectual contest with Atiku, and we shall see how his arrogance and presumed youthfulness will be humbled. “I have known Atiku for almost three decades, and I can tell you for free that he’s an avid reader. When next Seyi Makinde is in town, he should seek out how resourceful and flourishing Atiku’s library is. “Atiku is not a connoisseur of expensive wines and doesn’t keep the company of cringe drinkers. Rather, he’s a lover of books who reads widely. “Unless Makinde believes that leadership is determined by aerodynamic strength, he should have been more guided before making a comment that makes him look like a clown,” Fabiyi said. The PDP chieftain further admonished the Oyo State governor to take a lesson from the just concluded presidential election in the United States where President-elect Donald Trump won overwhelmingly against a much younger opponent. “Politics is a marketplace of ideas. As a matter of fact, it is a place where experience and age are undeniable assets. President Trump is Atiku’s contemporary in age. But it is clear by the convincing win he secured for the Republicans that the electorate in the United States acknowledges more leadership assets in him than his main opponent. “It is on this note that I will admonish Governor Makinde to devote more time to reading good books and familiarise himself more with intellectuals, instead of keeping the company of alcoholics, so that when next he speaks, he won’t be mistaken for someone who prides himself for drinking 40-year-old whiskey,” Fabiyi said.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- November 15, 2024
- 57 views
FBI, CIA, DEA BIGGEST BLOW TO DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA, BY RAPHAEL ADEBOYE
FBI, CIA, DEA BIGGEST BLOW TO DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA! BY RAPHAEL ADEBOYE I just read the document detailing the United States’ multiagency defense of the drug baron in Aso Villa. Let’s be clear about one thing: the FBI, CIA, DEA and other US agencies in that report just delivered the most damaging blow to liberal democracy and representative governance the world has ever witnessed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The CIA and other covert US intelligence agencies have dedicated most of their existence since the post-1945 period to throttling regimes considered inimical to liberal democracy, from Eastern Europe to South America, Asia, and Africa. African leaders have been summarily assassinated, overthrown, or demonized by the CIA and other Western security agencies and propaganda outfits under the pretext that these leaders were undemocratic and “unreasonable.” Telling the Nigerian people that they do not have the right to question the background of the impostor who has imposed himself on them is precisely the same as telling them not to exist or be citizens who fulfill their civic duties. How much privacy is too much privacy? Nigerians know all about the adventures of Hushpuppi, as publicly and volubly disclosed by the FBI, despite Hushpuppi being a private citizen. How is the Instagram Hushpuppi different from this unpresidential Hushpuppi in public office? Even Donald Trump, while merely campaigning, was unequivocally open about his medical records and several other so-called “private” information. So what is all this buffoonery and obfuscatory Glomarization concealing crucial details on a public servant who bludgeoned his way to the highest office in a country of nearly 250 million citizens? What is the point of representative democracy if the people cannot question their public servants about anything and everything? Every liberal democratic constitution I know states that sovereignty belongs to the people. What the FBI, CIA, and others are telling us now is that this is pure speculative fiction. Even pre-colonial African states did not indulge in this level of tone-deafness whenever the people asked consequential questions. How many more people must die? How many more juveniles must be unjustly imprisoned and violated? How many more citizens of this country must suffer and be strangulated? How much more damage must the usurper in Aso Villa cause in Nigeria and the Sahel before the US starts taking its professed commitment to democracy, human rights, and transparency seriously in Africa? At this point, we Africans had better set to work to revive and critically develop our traditional institutions if we ever want to make it out of our current rut. We were democratic long before the Europeans came to tell us their democracy was superior.
DRAMA AS TWO LAWYERS CLASH IN COURT OVER PDP REPRESENTATION IN RIVERS ASSEMBLY CRISIS
DRAMA AS TWO LAWYERS CLASH IN COURT OVER PDP REPRESENTATION IN RIVERS ASSEMBLY CRISIS A mild drama unfolded before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday, as two senior lawyers clashed over a case seeking to remove the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Tension arose after the special panel the appellate court formed to address matters related to the political crisis in Rivers State called the appeals for hearing. The court had set 11 appeals, involving various parties in the state, to be heard. These included an appeal filed by the Rivers State Government, seeking to halt the execution of a judgment that required Governor Siminalaye Fubara to resubmit his 2024 budget proposal to the pro-Wike faction of the State Assembly, led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule. Also included was an appeal from the Action Peoples Party (APP), asking for the seats of the lawmakers to be declared vacant due to their alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The ongoing political struggle in Rivers State has led to deep divisions within the state government, with these appeals seeking to resolve key aspects of the political impasse. Additionally, the court was scheduled to hear an appeal marked CA/1159/2024, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, when the case was called, two lawyers, Mr. B. F. Folurunsho and Mr. J. Y. Musa, separately announced their appearances for the PDP. Musa, SAN, informed the court that he was instructed by the party to withdraw the appeal, while Folurunsho disagreed, stating that no such directive had come from the PDP. This led to confusion, prompting the three-member special panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, to acknowledge receiving a letter from the PDP indicating that it had not authorized the appeal. The letter, signed by the party’s Acting National Chairman and Secretary, requested to discontinue the case. The development added another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle, highlighting the internal divisions within the PDP itself. The panel, in light of the conflicting claims, questioned the two lawyers about their involvement in the matter. Musa, SAN, asserted that he had been briefed by the Alhaji Umar Damagum-led executives of the party, while Folurunsho maintained that he was appointed by the party’s National Legal Adviser, who holds the authority over all legal matters involving the party. Both lawyers confirmed they had received hearing notices to appear for the appeals. Given the situation, the appellate court panel instructed the two lawyers to return to the PDP to resolve the issue and clarify which counsel had been properly briefed. The court ordered that the matter be clarified by the 29th Respondent (PDP) and the court be notified. This incident has raised concerns about the party’s internal governance and its impact on the ongoing legal proceedings, with many anticipating further developments in the case.
EBONYI AIRPORT AS WHITE ELEPHANT PROJECT
EBONYI AIRPORT AS WHITE ELEPHANT PROJECT The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, in Ebonyi State has come under heavy criticism from concerned citizens of the state, alleging that so much money have been expended on the project, which according to them, has the least value to the people of the state. The development has created a wave of disappointment in the people, as the facility is yet to start operations, reports Chinedu Eze Concerned citizens of Ebonyi State are not happy about the slow development of the Chuba Okadigbo Airport, located in Onueke. At first, when the airport was being built, their hopes and expectations were high, with the strong belief that when the airport is completed, it would create jobs, spruce up the image of the state and boost its economy, since investors could easily access the state to establish businesses. But almost one and half years after the airport was unveiled by the former governor of the state who is currently the Minister for Works, Dave Umahi, it is still non-functional and what stirred the angst of many is the fact that after opening the airport, it was closed again for the rebuilding of its runway. Many informed citizens of the state are ached by the fact that the airport gulped a lot of money, estimated to reach N62 billion, yet it is not operational. The few personnel employed there, idle away every day and to make the matter worse, recently a prayer session took off from the departure lounge of the airport, where they invited God to come and make the airport functional, thus fueling the fear that the facility has been converted to a church, which sparked the ire of those who opposed the building of the airport ab initio. The Criticism There has been severe criticism by aviation stakeholders and other Nigerians against the development of airports by state governments. They noted that building airport is capital intensive and most often, it does not bring justifiable returns, even though airports are very important infrastructure that aid development of any nation. In Nigeria, due to the critical need of airports, the federal government built airports in different parts of the country and among the states, some of them at different epochs in history considered the establishment of airports to enhance the development of their states. This was what gave birth to what is today, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, the Uyo Airport in Akwa Ibom State and also the Asaba airport in Delta State. What is strategic about these airports is that they filled a vacuum in the sense that there was existing market for them. Before Anambra built airport at Umueri, the Asaba airport catered to the air movement of Onitsha businessmen and women. Onitsha is a commercial city in South East. The Uyo airport was also strategic because the state is major oil producing state and needed quick movement of oil and gas personnel and easy movement of logistics. There was also a vacuum in Owerri, which makes the airport the busiest after Lagos, Abuja and Kano. All other airports built by the state governments have remained a burden, except Anambra Airport, which became busy and profitable to airlines, from the first time it started operation. But the difference between Ebonyi and Anambra people is that Anambra citizens have higher disposable income compared to that of Ebonyi. Many insiders project that the Ebonyi airport would be like most of the airports built in northern part of the country, which were later given to the federal government, which handed them over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to manage. Umahi, at the opening of the airport last year, announced that it has been taken over…
FINALLY, DANIEL BWALA LANDS BIG JOB IN TINUBU’S GOVT
FINALLY, DANIEL BWALA LANDS BIG JOB IN TINUBU’S GOVT President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications, State House. Others appointed on Thursday include three Nigerians as directors-general of various agencies. The new appointees, as announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, include Mr Olawale Olopade, Director-General, National Sports Commission; Dr Abisoye Fagade, Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism; and Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement. Olopade, the new Director-General of the National Sports Commission, is a sports administrator with many years of experience in the sector. He served as Commissioner of Youth and Sports in Ogun State and was chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the 2024 National Sports Festival. The new Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, is a marketing communication professional. He is the founder and managing director of Sodium Brand Solutions. Adedokun, the new helmsman of the Bureau of Public Procurement, was the director of Research, Training and Strategic Planning at the bureau before his appointment. The Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media, Daniel Bwala, is a lawyer and notable public affairs analyst. The President enjoined the newly appointed officers to discharge their duties with dedication, patriotism, and excellence.