High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi – The Great Pioneer Is Gone, NPAN Mourns

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June 1, 2023

The Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, has lamented the sudden passing of Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, the founding Chairman of Daar Communications PLC.

Dokpesi died, aged 71, in a domestic accident on May 29, 2023, after he slipped and fell down in his private gym while on a threadmill.

In a statement to condole with both his family and Daar Communications PLC, the President of NPAN, Kabiru Yusuf mourned the untimely passing of the Media mogul.

Following is the full statement personally signed by the NPAN President.

It was with great shock that we learnt on Monday, May 29, 2023, of the passage of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, OFR, founding Chairman of the media behemoth, Daar Communications Plc . He was 71.

Chief Dokpesi, a trained Marine Engineer and politician, pioneered private radio and television broadcating in the country with the establishment in 1994, of Ray Power, an Fm radio station and the Africa Independent Television (AIT), two years later.

A seasoned politician, High Chief Dokpesi, held various strategic positions in the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and acquitted himself. .

Very unassuming and a philanthropist , he touched several lives, while also using the instrumentality of his media platform to give voice to the voiceless.

While we commiserate with members of the media fraterniity, his immediate and political families , on this irreparable loss, we are consoled by the fact that he left behind an enduring legacy of hard work and selflessness.

We encourage our youth to emulate his industry, modesty and passion for the people.

The nation has lost a great pioneer, a patriot , an advocate of good governance /a free press and the right of people to know.

Signed

KABIRU A. YUSUF
PRESIDENT NIGERIA PRESS ORGANISATION /
NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA
May 31, 2023

OPINION: Between AON, United Nigeria And Nigeria Air

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James Orji

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June 1, 2023

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By Kunle Bankole

Nigerians woke up to the news of the unveiling of Nigeria Air on Friday, 26th May, 2023. The Federal government of Nigeria has been on this national carrier project for a long time, so it is good to see that finally, the project is at this present stage.

From what the former Minister of Aviation (Hadi Sirika) under former President Muhammadu Buhari

said, Ethiopian Airlines, following competitive bid were selected as the preferred technical partners. He also said that unlike the arrangement of the past, under the defunct Nigeria Airways and Air Nigeria, Nigeria Air will be fully private sector – driven. Ethiopian Airline Consortium has 49% shareholding in the joint venture, Nigerian Institutional investors have 46% while the Federal Government of Nigeria has 5% shareholding in the new National Carrier.

Obviously, it is in our national economic and strategic interest to have a national carrier. The benefits are many. For example, several jobs will be created. There will be job roles for pilots, engineers, flight attendants, office staff such as accountants, Human Resources personnel and so on. Support services including caterers and cleaners etc will also be required. Nigeria can earn foreign exchange from people buying tickets in foreign currencies as the airline will operate both domestic and international routes. Foreign investors will come in, and Nigeria will be able to fully utilize its many airports. Many of them are underutilized at the moment. Nigeria Air will fly to those destinations following viable economic models. There will be increased training for airlines staff, and the establishment of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Nigeria.

We all know what airline passengers are suffering at the moment in the hands of airline operators. Incessant flight delays and cancellations, poor services and high ticket costs. Nigeria Air will lead to increased competition in Nigeria’s aviation industry and it is the passengers that will be the ultimate beneficiaries. There will be more choices for air passengers. With the setting up of Nigeria Air, Nigeria will also be able to fully utilize the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) it has signed with other countries.

Perhaps, it is as result of fear of competition that some operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have been battling the setting up of Nigeria Air. What have they to lose if not that they want to maintain the status quo and keep on depriving Nigerian air travelers of good services?

Are members of AON more patriotic and intelligent than officials of the federal government including the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Executive Council, FAAN and other stakeholders that have diligently pursued the setting up of Nigeria Air?

It’s surprising that on the same day that the unveiling of Nigeria Air took place, Mr Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airways was on national television de-marketing Nigeria Air on behalf of AON. He knew the truth and chose to lie on national television just for selfish economic reasons. It is only in Nigeria that non-patriots like Mr Okonkwo will walk around castigating the federal government and sabotaging its efforts, in this case, the setting up of Nigeria Air.

According to reports, Nigeria Air will begin full flight operations by third quarter of 2023. What happened on the 26th of May 2023 was only an unveil. It was done in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines, the winning technical partner to the project. Members of AON wonder why Ethiopian Airlines should be selected as the preferred partner, but chose to be blind to the open and transparent process that led to their selection in line with international best practices, and along the guidelines of Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC)

A simple google search would have shown Mr Okonkwo and his AON colleagues that Ethiopian Airlines has over 77 years of successful global airline experience. They are the largest carrier in Africa and rank amongst the 30 largest airlines in the world. Ethiopian Airlines earned $6 billion in revenue, and about $1 billion in profits in 2022 alone. They have over 140 modern aircrafts in their fleet and have been operating successfully in Nigeria since independence. That’s good pedigree.

While we do not like to hear about negative incidents in our aviation sector since a sustainable ecosystem is what we all desire, Mr Obiora Okonkwo should better devote his time to managing his United Nigeria Airways and running it as a safe and reliable carrier. Just on the morning of Thursday, 1st of June 2023, Nigeria’s major news channels reported that a United Nigeria Airlines Embraer 145 flight with 50 passengers on Wednesday, 31st of May, 2023, skidded off runway 18L at Murtala Mohammed Airport terminal 2 in Lagos. The aircraft flew in from Chuba Okadigbo airport in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, when the incident happened. Investigators are already looking into this incident.

United Nigeria Airways which also flies the Anambra Airport route has also not done much on that route. It is still flying its small jets on that route. It was cringeworthy watching Mr Okonkwo on national television praising his colleague Allen Onyema of Airpeace and talking about the number of aircraft Airpeace planned to bring in later in the year. He struggled to sell Nigerians a dummy that Airpeace should have gotten the technical partnership with Nigeria Air. Mr Okonkwo should have been talking about the aircraft United Nigeria Airways planned to bring in. Airpeace is not United Nigeria and he should stop hiding under AON to wage a proxy war against Nigeria Air, and indirectly against the federal government of Nigeria. Such shameless and ignoble blackmail will not work. Nigerians are wiser. Nigeria Air has come to stay and will fly Nigeria’s flag to near and distant destinations. This should be a source of pride for us all.

Bankole is an Aviation enthusiast.

Nigeria Air: Don’t Fret Over Competition, Focus On Service Delivery, GNC Tells Obiora Okonkwo, Others

By

James Orji

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June 1, 2023

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The Generation Next Collective, GNC, a coalition of pragmatic youth and women groups, with core interest in development strategies and democratic accountability, has described the controversy over the inauguration of Nigeria’s flag carrier, the Nigeria Air and the current opposition to the establishment of the national airline, by private operators, as unhealthy, selfish and unpatriotic.

The national airline has faced fierce criticism and opposition, from the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, spearheaded by Dr Obiora Okonkwo, who incidentally is the founder of United Nigeria Airline, one of the privately owned airlines operating in Nigeria.

Okonkwo and other indigenous operators have accused the former minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, who initiated the establishment of Nigeria Air, of a dangerous plot to kill the entire indigenous operators and handover monopoly to Ethiopian Airlines, the major partner of the national airline.

But the GNC in a joint statement by its co – conveners, Barrister Ruth Edehemon and Malam Rufai Abdulahi PhD, in Abuja, on Thursday, said that it rather saw hope and a realistic step towards positive change in the Aviation industry in Nigeria with the arrival of the Boeing 737 aircraft, branded in Nigeria’s green-white-green colours on Friday, May 26, 2023, adding that it’s bewildering to see aviation operators kick over a development that would potentially add value to the people and the economy of the nation.

According to GNC, “It is selfish and unpatriotic for private operators to turn themselves into an army of opposition and harbingers if negative narratives against the floating, success and Sustainability of our common heritage, Nigeria Air.

“In fact, we have observed with dismay that Dr Obiora Okonkwo, who has been so vociferous in spreading the negative and misleading narratives about the national airline, in the guise of representing the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), is not motivated by objectivity or patriotism, but only doing so for his selfish aim of being in the driving seat of monopoly and mindless manipulation of cost of air fare in the industry.

“We object to such profiteering tendencies and dark conspiracies that do not put to account, the interest of the people or the collective prosperity of the nation.

“We call on Dr Obiora and those other operators in bed with him is the campaign of calumny and gang up against Nigeria Air, to channel the energy to the provision of quality service delivery in the Aviation industry, rather than fret over a potential healthy competition from the national airline and its partners.

The statement said further: “We don’t have any reason to doubt that the national airline would in line with the aviation industry master plan, make Nigeria a vibrant aviation hub, as the former minister has said.

“We also agree with him, especially with the new government in place, that

Nigeria Air is set up towards getting Nigeria to take advantage of its various Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and open skies agreements and also create jobs for the teeming youths of Nigeria.

“Nigeria Air should be given the chance to either prove us wrong or right, rather than the inexplicable attempt to kill it with misleading narratives. Competition is the tonic for good service delivery. And we should encourage that for the good of the people.”

Uzodimma, Marketers Meet On How To Mitigate Effects Of Subsidy Removal

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The Source

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June 1, 2023

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Governor Hope Uzodimma is set to meet with petroleum products marketers in Imo State to agree on ways to mitigate the effects of the planned removal of subsidy from petroleum products by the government.

President Bola Tinubu had hinted in his inauguration speech on Monday, May 29, 2023, that the federal government will remove the subsidy on petroleum products, a pronouncement that immediately triggered arbitrary hike in the products across the country and return of queues at the filling stations.

The Imo State Government is worried about the hardship the citizens are going through since report of the planned removal of the subsidy broke and is poised to ameliorate their suffering.

Governor Uzodimma has promised to meet with the petroleum products marketers on the way forward even as the government said her attention has been drawn to the sharp increases in the price of petroleum products, especially petrol, in the State in the last 24 hours.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba said it is “regrettable that while the federal government has insisted that it has not officially removed subsidy on petroleum products, some marketers in Imo State have rushed to adjust upwards their prices, thus inflicting pain on the poor suffering masses.”

Emelumba wrote: “The government hereby appeals to Petroleum marketers to show compassion in the present circumstance by considering the plight of the ordinary people, particularly because what they are currently dispensing are old stocks they bought before the planned subsidy removal.

“Hiking prices of Petroleum products with products purchased at pre subsidy removal rates clearly amounts to extortion and a sign of inhumanity.

“Government therefore appeals to Petroleum marketers to reconsider this astronomical price increase and adjust the pump price downwards in the interest of the suffering masses.

“The government assures the marketers that His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State will soon meet with them to explore ways of mitigating the consequences of the planned subsidy removal.”

CBN Speaks On Naira Devaluation

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Ayodele Oni

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June 1, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Central Bank of Nigeria,(CBN) has clarified that the Nigeria currency, Naira has not been devalued.

The apex bank is reacting to media report that after the CBN Governor meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, Naira was devalued from N431 to N630.

CBN in a statement signed by director of public communication, Isa AbdulMumin, explained that “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to a news report by Daily Trust

Newspaper of June 1, 2023, titled “CBN Devalues Naira To 630/$1”.

“We wish to state categorically that this news report, which in the imagination of the newspaper is exclusive, is replete with outright FALSEHOODS and destabilizing innuendos, reflecting potentially willful ignorance of the said medium as to the workings of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the exchange rate at the Investors’ & Exporters’ (I&E) window traded this morning (June 1, 2023) at N465/US$1 and has been stable around this rate for a while.

“The public is hereby advised to ignore the news report by Daily Trust in its entirety, as it is speculative and calculated at causing panic in the market.

“Media practitioners are advised to verify their facts from the Central Bank of Nigeria before publishing in order not to misinform the public.”

CBN Did Not Devalue Naira After Emefiele Met Tinubu

By

James Orji

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June 1, 2023

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied reports that the naira has been devalued.

The rebuttal came on the back of reports that the apex bank decided to devalue the national currency after Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday.

The meeting in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s presidency comes after President Tinubu hinted of his government’s plan to merge the Naira exchange rate at both official and unofficial market.

Some reports had reported that the apex bank subsequently devalued the currency to N630 from N465 to the dollar.

But a statement signed on Thursday by Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isah AbdulMumin, described the reports as “outright falsehood”.

The statement partly reads, “We wish to state categorically that thus news report, which in the imagination of the newspaper is exclusive, is replete with outright FALSEHOOD and destabilizing innuendos, reflecting potentially wilful ignorance of the said medium as to the working of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the exchange rate at the Investors’& Exporters’(I&E) window which traded this morning (June 1, 2023) at N465/US$1 and has been stable around this rate for a while.”

Access Bank French Desk Will Strengthen Nigeria, France Economic Ties- Wigwe

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 1, 2023

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The Group Managing Director of Access Corps Herbert Wigwe, has disclosed that the bank created the French Business Desk to promote strong economic ties between Nigeria and France, apart from creating networking opportunities for businesses people from both countries.

Wigwe made this known on the backdrop of the opening in Paris, earlier this month, of the first subsidiary of Access Bank Plc in the European Union, and the subsequent launch of the Access Bank French Business Desk which the bank said will strengthen business relationships between Nigeria and France.

According to the Access group chief executive, Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy endowed with vast human and natural resources and France which possesses technological expertise, innovation and a rich cultural heritage need to strengthen economic ties.

He said, “The Access Bank French Desk will play a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment between our nations. It will serve as a knowledge hub, providing valuable insights, intelligence, and networking opportunities for businesses from both countries.”

“We aim to create an enabling environment for French companies to thrive in Nigeria while also assisting Nigerian businesses in navigating the intricacies of the French market. Collaboration with multilateral organisations such as PROPACO and AFD will further enhance the impact of the Access Bank French Desk.”

Speaking, the French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, welcomed the signing of an agreement with Business France Nigeria to partner on the French Desk, she also congratulated Wigwe as Chairman of the France Nigeria Business Council.

She declared that, “This initiative illustrates the huge dynamism and potential of the economic ties between Nigeria and France, which have been continuously strengthened since President Macron’s visit to Nigeria in 2018. This Desk will enable us to further strengthen an already substantial economic partnership and benefit companies from both countries, including SMEs.”

The Access Bank French Desk in partnership with Business France, was created as a platform to connect French and Nigerian companies, providing them with financial solutions to conduct trade and investment activities between both countries.

According to the bank, through business advisory services, engagement with relevant institutions, economic roundtables, trade facilitation, and comprehensive banking solutions, the French Desk will remain the trusted partner that will empower and facilitate businesses opportunities for Nigerian and French businesses on their journey to success.

Senators, Reps To Get N30 bn Payoff

By

James Orji

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June 1, 2023

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Ahead the winding down of the 9th National Assembly on June 6, its management has announced a N30 billion severance package for senators and house of Representatives members.
The announcement was made known to the members of the Assembly on Wednesday in a notice signed by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives read out the Clerk’s notice to members on the floor yesterday.

The lawmakers have been directed to submit all needed documents for the collection of the payment before June 9, the notice said.

“All honourable members to collect their clearance forms for the payment of severance gratuity from the Office of the Clerk to the House and submit same after completion in Annex Room 2.154 or 2.031, Finance and Accounts Directorate on or before Friday, June 9, 2023,” Danzaria said in the notice to members.

According to the details of this year’s budget over N30bn has been budgeted for severance and welcome package for outgoing and incoming members and their aides.

The 2023 Appropriation Acts indicates that Under statutory transfers, the National Assembly and its affiliate bodies will spend a total of N194,839,144,401 this financial year. The sum of N169bn was proposed for the federal bi-cameral legislature in the original bill.

Details of the National Assembly budget are as follows: Severance/inauguration of outgoing and incoming 9th and 10th Assembly (legislators and legislative aides) – N30,173,520,592; National Assembly Office, N30,492,518,529; Senate, N33,267,001,807; House of Representatives, N51,994,511,954; National Assembly Service Commission, N10,555,809,322; Legislatives Aides, N16,520,653,763; PAC – Senate, N118,970,215; and PAC – House of Representatives, N142,764,258.

Others are National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, N7,411,813,596; Service Wide Vote, N671,335,001; Office of Retired Clerks and Permanent Secretaries, N1,059,121,701; Appropriation Committee Department – Senate, N125,000,000; Appropriation Committee Department – House, N165,000,000; National Assembly Library building (ongoing), N4,250,000,000.

Also in the National Assembly budget is N11,307,475,470 allocated to General Services; hosting of Conference of Speakers of African Parliament, N127,500,000; NASS Liabilities, N8,500,000,000; NASS e-Library, N255,000,000; NASS Dashboard, N118,150,000; Constitution Review, N850,000,000; completion of NASS Library Complex (repeated), 7,500,000,000; completion of NILDS HQ, N2,500,000,000; and construction of NASC building, N10,000,000,000.

Subsidy Removal: Regulatory Body Assures Uninterrupted Supply As Queues Get Longer

By

Ayodele Oni

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June 1, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA) has assured Nigerians that there is no need to panic over news of removal of petroleum subsidy.

The regulatory body in a statement, signed by the general manager, corporate communication, Kimchi Apollo explained that the body is prompted by anxiety which followed announcement by President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural address.

NMDPRA states that “contrary to speculations and concerns, the announcement is in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, (PIA) 2021,which provides for total deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector yo drive investment and growth.

“We are working closely with NNPC Ltd and other key stakeholders to guarantee a smooth transition, avoid any disruption in supply, as well as ensure that consumers are not short-changed in any form.

“The authority assured that there is ample supply of PMS to meet demand as we have taken necessary steps to ensure distribution channels remain uninterrupted and fuel is readily available at filling stations across the country.

“The NMDPRA reassures all Nigerians that the removal of subsidy on PMS is a step towards building a more sustainable and prosperous future for our nation.

“We will continue to monitor activities and implement necessary measures to enhance transparency and accountability in the petroleum downstream sector.”

FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles Zoom Into Quarter Finals, Defeat Host, Argentina In Crunchy Tie

By

Akinwale Kasali

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June 1, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Against all odds, the Coach Ladan Bosso-led Flying Eagles has sprung a surprise to many of its critics and defeated host, Argentina, 2-0 in the Round of 16 Tie in San Juan International Stadium at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Two second half goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki were all the Flying Eagles needed to secure a Quarter Final ticket.

The odds favoured Argentina who had a100 per cent record at the Group stage, defeating Uzbekistan, Guatemala and New Zealand.

The Argentines dominated the entire match forcing the Flying Eagles to be defensive depending on a counter attack to get at the Coach Javier Mascherano led Argentine squad.

The six time champions were denied by the defensive quartet of Fredericks, Agbalaka, Ogwuche and Bameyi, who were outstanding in the defense line to deny the Argentine the much needed goal.

Not many people gave Ladan Bosso’s team a chance, but they put up a stellar defensive performance to beat the six-time winners.

With this victory, Nigeria will face the winner of Ecuador and South Korea in the quarterfinals.

Both teams will trade tackles on Thursday, June 1st, 2023, with the winner facing the West African side for a place in the Semi Finals.

Coach Bosso started the game with Kingsley Chijioke Aniagboso in goal, Solomon Agbalaka, Abel Ogwuche, Benjamin Fredericks and Daniel Bameyi were at the heart of the Flying Eagles defense.

Tochukwu Nadi, Daniel Daga and Samson Lawal piloted the misfiled with Sunday Jude, Salim Fago Lawal and Ibrahim Beji Muhammad were upfront.

In the other knockout matches, Colombia got the better of Slovakia in their crunch second round game to make a big statement as the competition progresses.

Cortes opened scoring in the 4th minute of second half after a chaotic first half show with Slovakia. The Colombian put the Americans in front to usher in another goal two minutes later, from Asprilla’s 51st minute effort.

Angel made it a glorious brace in the 53rd and 64th minute to finally nailed Slovakia to gain a broad passage to the quarter finals. Jambor’s consolation in the 88th minute was looking like the end of it but Cortes scored his second goal of the night to make it an embarrassing 5-1 loss for Slovakia.

In another venue, Brazil’s Marcos Leonardo gave the South Americans an early goal in the 12th minute against African side, Tunisia, to open an entertaining game on the night. Santos Sealed the interval for Brazil to make it 2-0 in the first 45 minute.

Although Renan was sent off at the stroke of halftime to reduce Brazil to 10 men, the South Americans still continue to maintain their position ahead of Tunisia.

Brazil sealed their emphatic win with a stoppage goal from Martins to make it 3-0. In the 11th minute of added Santos got Brazil’s 4th goal but 2 minutes after Tunisia’s Gherbal scored the consolation goal to make it 4-1. Brazil claimed the forth ticket to the quarter finals. Brazil will face Israel in the quarter final game while Colombia will play either Italy in the quarterfinals.

The Italians defeated England 2-1 to seal a place on the quarter finals.