Indications are that international flights will all resume as the Federal Government has approved the resumption of flights by the international airlines affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Initially, the FG had ordered selective entry into Nigeroa’s airspace after the Covid lockdown, with the major European carriers being affected. Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM were worse hit in a tit-for-tat action by Nigeria. They are expected to resume flights based on the directive of the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.
Consequently, international Airports are expected to be opened for operations. Currently, only Lagos, Abuja is open for international flights. Efforts are currently on to see to the reopening of Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano.
Indications are that these airports may be reopened for the Yuletide season.
Enugu has recently completed the renovation of the runways, which was stalled by the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic.
A statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, said: all International flight Operations will open before the end of the year. According to him, the health authorities are liaising with the Ministry for the Covid 19 protocol observation.
In a related development, the concession plans by the Aviation Ministry may have run into hitches due to what some insiders call crisis of “concession within a concession”. A clause in the agreement between the Federal Government and Chinese firm, Chinese Engineering Construction Company, CECC, has militated against this since it will breach their contract, which is considered as an already made concession agreement with China. Whatsmore, indications are that Nigeria international airports are part of the loan agreement with China, with the Airports serving as collaterals, meaning that if Nigeria defaults, the Airports will be taken over by the Chinese government.
For this reason, the Chinese government is said to be opposed to any concession plans by the Nigerian government.
Nigeria has been mulling the concession of the three major airports, Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.
Former Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayo Fayose, has described the defection of Governor of Ebonyi state, Mr Dave Umahi to the All Progressives Congress, (APC) as very disappointing.
According to him, Mr Umahi was unfair to the PDP, which gave him the governorship ticket in 2015 and again in 2019.
Fayose said Governor Umahi had defected to the APC long ago before “this unjustifiable move, which clearly has nothing to do with the interest of the Igbo nation”
In his tweets, Fayose wrote that “Gov Umahi defected to APC long ago before this unjustifiable move, which clearly has nothing to do with the interest of the Igbo nation.
“This is a reflection of the type of leadership our country parades.
“Though his action dampens hope for liberation, but I’m sure Nigerians will laugh last because sometimes, it will appear to have gotten so bad before it will begin to get better.”
The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has lashed out at a retired Army Major General, Garba Wahab, saying the General is ignorant of the workings of the Police, and incompetent to discuss such issues.
Wahab earned NPF’s anger while talking on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily. He had said that the IGP was not in control of the Police but only sat back in his office, enjoying the paraphernalia of office in Abuja.
The General spoke in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest against the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, which grounded the nation. Lives were lost. Over 200 Police Stations were razed. And 100 pieces of AK47 rifles lost. Among the dead were Policemen who became the targets of hoodlums.
The Police, in anger, kept off their duties. Appeals to them by the IGP and other high profile Nigerians to go back to work, fell on deaf ears. In the past few days, however, they are grsdually returning to their beats.
Responding to General Wahab on Tuesday in a strongly worded statement signed on its behalf by Force Spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba, the NPF noted that:
“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to comments and reactions during an interview session on Channels TV Sunrise Daily program of 13th November, 2020 where one Major General Garba Wahab (rtd) commented that “…rather than improving the improvement (sic) …the IGP is sitting down there with all the paraphernalia of office deprived of actually having control of police… he is not in control”.
“The Force wishes to categorically state that the Rtd Major General is wrong in his assertion as IGP Adamu is firmly in control of the administration and operation of the Nigeria Police Force.
“It notes that the comments by Rtd Major General Garba Wahab shows that he spoke purely out of ignorance and from a jackboot mentality that lacks proper understanding of democratic policing culture, rooted in the Rule of Law.
“It reiterates that the retired Officer clearly spoke on a subject outside his areas of core competence.
“It is noteworthy that since his assumption of office as the 20th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni, a global policing icon, has in the past twenty-three months of his leadership of the Force, shown sterling qualities in what the operational/administrative command and control of the Force should be.
“This is exemplified in the various reform policies being implemented to reposition the Force for greater efficiency, uphold the rule of law in policing actions and drive a citizen-centred policing approach.
“It is to the credit of his robust leadership style that even in the face of the recent violence occasioned by the ENDSARS protest and provocative attacks on Police personnel and assets, the officers under his command exercised maximum restraint and stayed calm, professional and committed to maintaining law and order in the country.
“The Force, therefore, enjoins the general public and privileged opinion moulders not to allow sentiments becloud their sense of judgment but to use opportunities of national platforms to offer constructive criticisms and advocate opinions that will help in improving governance generally and policing in particular in the country.
“Major General Garba Wahab (rtd) will do well to fact-check his assumptions before going public.”
General Wahab’s criticism came at a wrong time, when the IGP is trying to rebuild self esteem in Police personnel, and rebuild trust between the Force and the Civil populace.
Heir apparent to the sacred throne of Ile Ife in Osun state arrived safely to the family of the Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi early today.
Oba Ogunwusi, is currently celebrating the arrival of the baby boy, from his wife, Olori Moronke Naomi Silekunola, whom she married over a year ago.
The joyous king took to his official Instagram account to break the good news and also stated that both mother and child are well.
He said, “To God be the glory great things he has done. Hearty congratulations to the entire House of Oduduwa and Olori Silekunola who today birthed a Prince to the Royal throne of Oduduwa. Mother and child are doing well to the glory of God Almighty.”
On Monday November 16, 2020, the bulldozer meandered, with its frightening jaws, and moved in. Its destination was the uncompleted Somto Hospital, a project of the past Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration.
The job of the bulldozer was simple: Pull down an uncompleted building, designated as Somto Hospital.
As the building gradually went down under the force of the bulldozer, it reminded one of the sad story behind the Somto Hospital. It brought mixed feelings. Feelings of sorrow and helplessness, engineered by the raw and reckless power of Government.
The same way the bulldozer moved in this Monday, was the same way they moved in on August 20, 2017. The difference: The bulldozers of 2017 brought along with them booming guns, tears, blood, gnashing of teeth, destruction and losses to the tune of hundreds of millions of Naira. That of Monday brought a combination of anger against the Government and contractors that insulted the people’s sensibilities, and spat on the grave of the person in whose memory the project was started, by doing an unimaginable shoddy job.
The story of the Somto Hospital began in 2017. The land on which it was built used to be the sprawling Ekeukwu Market Owere. The market is an ancestral, iconic market which Owere Nshi Ise people pride themselves with. It is as old as Owere. Over the years, it grew in leaps and bounds, taking over a large chunk of a number of streets adjourning it.
Located in the middle of the capital, it became an eyesore, accommodating all sorts. And it, also, became a no-go-area early morning, and from early evening, to late evening. Pick pockets reigned supreme. And so did substance sellers and abusers. A number of idle youths became nightmares, bullying early-morning petty traders from nearby villages and towns, mostly, women, selling vegetables, pepper, tomatoes and the lot. They subjected them to paying levies morning and evening. On the Ekeukwu Owere market they fed and feasted.
But the situation was not an Ekeukwu Owere exclusive. Most ancestral markets in Nigeria are like that. Yet, it does not strip them of their iconic status.
In fairness to Okorocha, the Ekeukwu Owere was worrisome. Something needed to be done. The whole area, with its filth, sort of defaced Owerri, and was a minus to its State capital status. A couple of Governors, before him, it is said, had agonized over what to do with Ekeukwu. But none of them had the courage to take any action.
Only Okorocha had that courage. But he went about it in an untidy manner. He disobeyed the law. Owere Nshi Ise indigenes were in court with him over the market. There was a Court restriction order on his Government over the market.
But Okorocha is not a man given to patience, protocol, or obedience to court orders. A couple of other times where he disobeyed court orders abound in the state. Otherwise, why was the hurry? Why did the Government not wait out the Court case or got the injunction lifted?
Rochas Okorocha
Owerri people have an answer to why he disobeyed the Court order. They say he has a pathological dislike for Owerri zone. They reeled out instances to back their claim. He humiliated two Owerri sons, one after the other, out of office as Deputy Governor, based on concocted and deliberate false allegations. He, also, humiliated a Secretary to the State Government, another Owerri son, out of office. All the humiliations, because he felt they were threats to his succession plan.
Okorocha’s demolition squad moved in with tongues of fire. The squad was accompanied by armed men. Some said a combination of Soldiers and the Police, with a large dose of, alleged, armed cult boys.
So, as they demolished, guns boomed. Blood flowed. At the end of the exercise, a 12 year old boy lay dead. He was a victim of stray bullet, many claimed. His name: Somtochukwu.
His devastated father, a trader, according to sources, said he sent him to go and retrieve some of their wares when he was told that the demolition of the market was underway. Why the young boy should be sent to such an errand remains a puzzle to me.
The Government denied complicity. It put the blame on Owerri Youths who, it claimed, took over the area, armed, in readiness for a showdown, a claim the natives vehemently denied.
Outrage against Okorocha and his Government followed Somto’s killing. Till date, the identity of the person who pulled the trigger has not been confirmed. Nor has the state publicly apologised.
Okorocha visited Somto’s family on a condolence, and among other things, promised to immortalise him. He said he would build a structure at the site of the demolished Ekeukwu market, in memory of Somto. For months, whatever he dilly-dallied.
Speculations went wild over what he wanted to do with land. Some said it was going to be a school. Others said a Mall. Others said the Governor, a man they claim has a thing about any empty land, wanted to appropriate the area to himself, and build an estate.
But, finally, Okorocha settled for a hospital to be known, and called Somto Hospital. So we clapped. Great, we echoed.
Construction began. Billions of Naira was budgeted. But it was abandoned. I cannot confirm, but I am told that in the last months of the Okorocha administration, the hospital was one of the projects commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. If so, the questions are: how could he? What did he commission?
Was the Vice President taken round the project? Did he look at the back of the building? Did he really inspect it? My answer is: hardly.
The project, of course, was a good one, a great idea. But it went awry. The structure and its design did not quite look like a hospital. But that was not the problem. There was worse. Integrity.
Whatever, then, happened to the billions of Naira, budgeted?, many, legitimately, asked.
When the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha became lmo Governor, succeeding Okorocha, he set up a couple of Judicial Panels, including one on Contracts, because of the deluge of complaints against the Okorocha Government which greeted him on assumption of office. The Contract Panel had just started when he was replaced with Governor Hope Uzodinma by a Supreme Court judgement.
Uzodinma surprised not a few when he refused to succumb to tremendous pressure to disband the Commissions of Inquiry, especially those on Lands and Contracts. He, instead, strengthened them, and told members to do their work without fear or favour. “Like you people, I am an Imo indigene. So, like my predecessor in office, I am interested in knowing what happened to our State”, he told the Chairman and members of the Contract Panel, during a meeting, to plead with them to stay on. He promised non- interference. He kept his promise.
Somto Hospital was one of the Contracts investigated. Commission members and appropriate Government Engineers, and Contractors toured and inspected the very much uncompleted project. It was a sight to behold.
The whole of the back was ”hollow”. A painted sepulchre. The walls had deep cracks all over. The inside of the building, and all of its environment, had been reduced to one huge toilet facility. The whole place stank to high heavens. Miscreants held away. Many, they say, sleep there. So, the stench was a combination of faeces, urine, indian hemp, and its “lesser and bigger cousins.”
The building failed every integrity test, just as the other projects inspected – tunnels and flyovers, roads, the Police Command Headquarters, all of which Government engineers, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, and other professionals described as tragedies waiting to happen.
The fear of the Somto Hospital building collapsing, and taking with it lives of those who had converted it to toilets and abode, and hangout was strong.The only option, sad as it is, considering the amount of public funds claimed to have been spent, was a demolition.
On Monday, November 16, the Uzodinma Government took the option to demolish.
Bulldozers moved in, and brought back the sad memories of July 20, 2017.
As they demolished, it was as if the memory of the late Somto was being wiped off Mother-Earth. Not surprisingly, apprehension set-in.
Arguments for, and against, the demolition reached high heavens. And so did the politics of it.
Some saw the demolition as a waste of scarce public funds. What would those against it have wanted done to a project which failed every integrity test? Leave it? That would be suicidal. No Governor would keep such a project, or continue with it. It had no head or tail.
Governor Hope Uzodinma
I don’t quite know what the Government plans to use the sprawling expanse of land to do. I hear it is a new modern market with a mall and stalls, parks, and restaurants, with a Police and fire service stations to the bargain.
That would be nice, and it will give the Capital city a more modern outlook, an outlook which Okorocha started.
In fairness to the former Governor, he opened up Owerri. Until him, the State Capital was no better than a glorified Local Government Headquarters. He had good ideas. But the problems associated with the ideas were many. The finishing and the quality of the projects he embarked on – roads, bridges, tunnels, flyovers, schools, hospitals, malls, stadia, International Conference Centre, Libraries, hotels, the beautification of Owerri, and more – were very poor. At the end, they cast a slur on his ideas, and became a huge waste of money.
But I have an unsolicited advice for the Uzodinma Government. Every new Government loves to start new projects. They abandon the ones started by their predecessor, and most times, duplicate projects.
Each of them wants to embark on new schools buildings, stadia, hospitals, the lot. I beg to differ.
To Uzodinma, I suggest the Governor Nyesom Wike style. Wike did not mind talks like: “They were my projects. He only finished them.” What’s that? Wike finished every project he met on ground, and embarked on more gigantic ones, changing the face of Rivers state. It is the state’s money. The projects are for the people. So, why not?
My advice to Uzodinma then: Ignore the temptation and pressure to start new projects. Finish all the badly executed projects embarked upon by Okorocha. Use quality materials. Use good contractors. It doesn’t have to be Julius Berger. The State’s purse is lean. Monitor the contractors you use. As was the case with many of the contacts investigated, don’t publicly name good contractors, and end up using direct labour. That has killed the state, almost.
What to do? Re- award the Contracts. The monies used for them are gone, unless you get hold of the Contractors, and their enablers. Imolites pray that you do. The money is huge.
Ihedioha started with roads. Continue from there. When the chips are down, it is our state. As they say in local parlance, “na we-we.”
But back to the late Master Somtochukwu. His memory must not be rubbished, or forgotten. He should be honoured. He died over Ekeukwu Owere. There must be something there in his honour.
So, let the name of the Market remain Ekeukwu Owere. But, please, aside from fulfilling all other promises made to his family, the main Mall should be named after him. Somto lives on.
The Nigerian Embassy in Germany, Tuesday October 17, suspended a local staff for alleged criminal activities, including sexual harassment.
A statement signed by the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tugga announced the staff’s suspension.
“Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Germany today suspended, with immediate effect, a local staff (security unit) in connection with allegations of sexual abuse and other serious criminal activity.”
The statement said the identity of the staff, who it said indulged in other, alleged, criminal activities cannot be disclosed due to legal reasons. He was, allegedly, asking for sexual favors before doing his job.
“The staff, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was suspended following the circulation of material on social media that suggested the official was demanding sexual favours in return for official services,” the statement read.
HE Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Ambassador in Germany said, “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse of office and especially of sexual misconduct. Our full resources are being deployed to investigate a very serious incident and any other abuses that this inquiry may reveal”
“The investigation is taking place with all the urgency and diligence that this very serious situation demands. When due process is complete, any guilty party can expect to face the full weight of the law. Our heartfelt sympathies are with any innocent victims of abuse.”
In response to the defection of Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday, November 17, the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, has dissolved the party’s Ebonyi Executive Council, and the South-east Zonal Caretaker Committee.
Umahi, while defecting to the APC, claimed that the PDP had done nothing for the South-east Zone, a claim which has been dismissed by PDP members in the South east as inexplicable, sad and unfortunate.
In a statement signed on behalf of the PDP by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiya, the Party said:
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP rose from a crucial meeting today (November 17, 2020) and announced the dissolution of the ward, local government and state executive committees of the Ebonyi state chapter of the party forthwith.
“The NWC has, also, dissolved the Southeast Zonal Caretaker Committee of the party.
“These decisions are pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.”
It is strongly believed that Umahi defected to put him in a position to run for either the Presidency or the Vice Presidential office.
In defecting, he has toed the path of Senator Rochas Okorocha, who, as an APGA serving Governor in Imo, defected to the APC.
Reports from Borno State say suspected Boko Haram insurgents have shot down a helicopter.
It is not known from where the helicopter took off, or where it was headed to, but reports monitored by Daily Trust indicate there were five people on the helicopter. All five died in the crash.
At the time of filing this report, neither the identities of those on board, nor the ownership of the helicopter were public.
The military high command has not confirmed the incident either.
Forbes Coaches Council, FCC has recognized Nigerian’s motivational speaker and business coach, Sam Adeyemi as a member.
FCC is a fee-based organisation comprising leading business and career coaches across the world.
Adeyemi, the senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre said he’s very “honoured to be accepted in the Forbes Coaching Council. If you know anything about Forbes, they have built a prestigious publication for business leaders and executives. I am excited to be part of it all.”
Following his recognition, the lanky pastor who was among prominent Nigerians who supported EndSARS protesters, will now have “access to a vetted national network of trailblazers, disruptors, and game-changers via our exclusive group chat discussions”.
He will also be allowed to publish insights on Forbe’s platform while working with skilled editors on expert panels to write bylined articles that enhance his reputation as role model.
Forbes has now published Adeyemi’s resume on its website where it said the clergy man has trained thousands in business leadership for more than 20 years.
Adeyemi’s work was recognized, Frobe said “through the Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA), which has graduated over 40,000 people since 2002, and through seminars, workshops and conferences,” the clergyman’s description on Forbes read. “He currently serves as mentor to hundreds of CEOs in Nigeria and around the world.
“As a global conference speaker, he has addressed audiences in the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria, India, and several other countries.
‘He holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies from the University of Exeter, UK, and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University, Virginia, USA.
“He is a member of the International Leadership Association and the Association of Talent Developers, ” the website said.
The managing director/chief executive officer of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe has disclosed that the lender revolutionised digital banking in Africa by providing multiple service channels to customers.
Wigwe said this in his response to the recognition of Access Bank as the ‘Best Digital Bank in Africa’ by Asian Banker.
Access Bank has invested heavily in leading technological evolution in the African banking sector through its strategic partnership with the Africa Fintech Foundry to nurture the next generation of innovative fintech startups, which recently led to the appointment of Ade Bajomo, Access Bank’s Executive Director, Information Technology and Operations as the new President of the FinTech Association of Nigeria, FintechNGR.
According to Wigwe “This award serves as an encouragement for us to consolidate our efforts towards becoming a truly digitally-led bank. We always ensure that customers enjoy secure, seamless and convenient services across multiple channels.”
The tier one bank was chosen among other deposit money banks, DMBs in the continent at the Asian Banker Middle East and Africa Regional 2020 Awards virtual ceremony held recently.
The organizer of the award said the retail lender has surpassed its peers in all areas of banking automation, including advanced analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics process automation to reform business operations and drive performance in the industry.
Bajomo said the bank will continue to lead in providing digital solutions to expand banking inclusiveness in the continent.
“Through our multiple offerings including our USSD *901#, advanced mobile banking application ‘Access More’ and our recently unveiled facial biometric payment solution, Access Bank has continued to offer best-in-class technology-driven solutions to all customers.
Access Bank will continue to defy the negative stereotypes attributed to Africa, and make strides toward becoming ‘Africa’s gateway to the world’,” Bajomo said.
