Airport Concession: Sirika, Aviation Officials, Labour Leaders Tour Istanbul, Brasilia Airports

In concerted efforts to demonstrate transparency, inclusiveness and sincerity in the Airport concession programme of the Aviation Ministry, the Minister Hadi Sirika has led a team comprising officials of the Ministry, agencies and organized labour in the aviation industry on an inspection tour of two successfully concessioned airports.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Affairs, James Odaudu reveals that the team that visited the Istanbul Airport in Turkey and the Brasilia Airport in Brazil with the Minister included the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, Captain Alkali Modibbo, the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok, the Transaction Adviser on Airport Concession, Dr Abba Ibrahim and the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani.
Others are the Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister, Yusuf Anas, Special Assistant to the Minister on Administration, Ahmed Sanusi, Secretary General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Saidu Abdulrazak, Secretary General of NUATE, Ocheme Abah, and Adenike Adesola (CSS).

According to the Minister, the essence of the visit to the two airports was to dispel all doubts and suspicion regarding the sincerity of the Federal Government in respect of the concession programme and to reassure the Labour force of the inherent benefits of the programme.

He further said that the choice of the two airports was based on their popularity, size and their success stories in concession which he said, will serve as a guide on the concession model and contribute to the successful delivery of the programme.

He reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that the principles of transparency and accountability which have been the hallmark of the process from inception will remain till the final delivery of the project.

At the two airports, the ream was presented with visual stories of their transition and positive impact of their concessions.

BITDCE LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL CURRENCY, SAYS HCS WILL USHER NEW ERA OF DIGITAL GLOBALIZATION

Bitdce has launched a new currency known as HCS (Hercules).

According to a news statement made available to nigeriatimes.ng, the BitDCE Global Media Conference held on June 11 (UTC+4) at Sofitel Downtown Dubai.

The statement disclosed that “HCS is a public welfare service project based on blockchain technology, providing public welfare project venue construction, investment transactions, financing services, event holding, peripheral transactions, and public welfare metaverse for all participants, organizers, operators, and enthusiasts who love public welfare. , public welfare organization DAO community governance and other comprehensive public welfare ecological services.”

The statement reads:

The conference was held in real time at 18 venues around the world including Dubai, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Singapore, and China; The participants in the grand event and delivered important speeches on major global, economic, cultural, financial and other major topics of the blockchain series.

At the press conference, the CEO and COO of the International Department of BitDCE Exchange gave a wonderful speech with the guests, and discussed the current hot issues in the blockchain industry in depth.

On the one hand: It is agreed that compliance operation is of great significance to the long-term sustainable development of cryptocurrency exchanges, and it is also an inevitable trend for the long-term development of exchanges. At the same time, the specific contents of the four aspects of risk control compliance, operational compliance, technical compliance, and legal compliance should be comprehensively constructed simultaneously to ensure the healthy development of the platform and the industry. Relying on emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, it can greatly promote the formation of a transparent, fair, and reasonable transaction mechanism, thereby promoting the right to represent and speak in global economic governance. The rational redistribution of the global economy will promote the coordinated, balanced, and rapid development of the global economy.
The conference showcased the status of digital technology development in major countries and regions around the world, and further described how digital technology will change all aspects of our daily lives and work. In response to a series of challenges faced by the current digital technology development, the conference called for not only the need to promote the reform of traditional global governance mechanisms, but also to establish a new global digital governance system and mechanism, build a digital community, and open a new future for the development of the digital economy and blockchain.
After the conference, the guests and BitDCE exchange personnel collectively participated in the yacht reception held by BitDCE, and conducted in-depth exchanges and communication, reached a high degree of consensus in many fields, and was further recognized by all parties.


According to reports, BitDCE Exchange is one of the few well-known international exchanges in the world that has obtained the US MSB license. The Asia-Pacific headquarters is in Hong Kong and the international headquarters is located in Dubai. It has established branches and offices in more than 10 countries around the world. The daily transaction volume exceeds 3 billion US dollars. A multi-level and multi-dimensional three-dimensional ecosystem of global payment + global purchase + global easy has been built. It is reported that BitDCE is making every effort to enter the layout and construction of ecosystems such as Metaverse, NFT and WEB3.0

Bitdce and Nebulas Investment Department launched a quantitative fund project, so that everyone can get stable profits while investing in HCS. I believe that HCS will be the future trend.


For more information contact:
Victoria Fund Manager WhatsApp +447570814625
Fund Manager Telegram: @BITDCEHCS

President Buhari to implement aviation road map within tenure, Sirika assures

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to the full actualization of all grey components of the current Aviation Sector Roadmap.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika made this known Tuesday while declaring open the maiden edition of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Aviation Conference (FNAC) with the theme, Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport.

He reiterated that at the inception of the present administration, the Aviation Sector Roadmap was developed to address the immediate and remote causes of lack of desired growth and efficiency in the sector in Nigeria.

While congratulating FAAN for this initiative, Sirika expressed the desire that the Conference will be institutionalized as a platform where great ideas that will propel the Nigerian Aviation sector into a global reckoning will be developed, adding that Aviation is a gold mine.

He said that the event will also feature a Trade and Investment section where opportunities for investments at our various airports will be highlighted.

The MD expressed his vision of a time when, rather than sending Nigeria’s human resources and flying machines for training and checks abroad, thereby expending huge foreign exchange in the process, we will not only domesticate such activities, but also earn foreign exchange from it when other countries send their machines here for checks and their manpower for training in Nigeria.

Also present at the event are the Senate and House Committee Chairmen, the Airport Council International (ACI) African President, Emmanuel Chaves, Headship of the sister Agencies of FAAN, NCAA, NIMET and NAMA, stakeholders, seasoned professionals in the Industry as well as Captain Bob Hayes the very first Nigerian pilot.
The Conference is slated to continue till Friday 17th, June, 2022.

Post APC primary election, Buhari meets Amaechi, Lawan behind closed doors

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening met separately with the Former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawal at the State House. Aso Villa. Both men were presidential aspirants at the just concluded Primary election of the All Progressives Congress(APC). 

The meeting comes barely two days after the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu, met Buhari on a thank you visit to the Villa. 

Although the matters discussed with Amaechi were not disclosed, Lawan who spoke after his session with the President said the party was still grappling with challenges it inherited since 1999.

Amaechi at the Villa

“I want to make a promise to Nigerians on behalf of my party that APC at the state and national levels will always do things that would matter for the lives of the ordinary Nigerians and why we are failing is not because we want to fail. It’s because we are challenged and we are only eight years old.

“We had a political party that was in power for 16 years and most of the problems that APC met at the state and national levels are issues sown a long time ago since 1999 and some were there before 1999.  

“We have done a lot. I am a chief participant in this administration and I know just how much has been invested in the infrastructure of this nation and how much we have invested in empowering the youth,” he said. 

According to Punch, both former aspirants are visiting the President for the first time since the presidential primary election. 

No official statement was released after the closed door meetings.

Breaking: Nigeria Air licensed to fly by NCAA

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Monday, presented the Air Transport License (ATL) to the interim management of Nigeria Air.

The event took place Monday at the Corporate Headquarters of the NCAA, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

Nigeria Air is the nation’s proposed national carrier and it is set up to be a public-private partnership with the federal government maintaining 5% stake, while 49% would be held by strategic equity partners and 46% by Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The ATL signed by the Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu will run for a period of five (5)years from June 3rd, 2022 to June 2nd, 2027.
The new national airline is expected to provide scheduled and non-scheduled services. It is one of the licenses received by airlines before they can commence operation just as they await the all-important Air Operator Certificate (AOC) that fully guarantees them the right to begin air services.
Nigeria Air Limited, the country’s proposed national carrier had in April 2022 applied to the NCAA for a license to operate scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo service.
it is to be a public-private partnership with the federal government maintaining 5% stake, while 49% would be held by strategic equity partners and 46% by Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Aviation also on its official Twitter handle, @fmaviationng on Monday, announced the presentation of the ATL to the interim board of the new airline.
It wrote: “Presentation of Airline Transport Licence (ATL) to Interim Board of Nigeria Air. Nigeria Air is here and is going to provide quality service to Nigerians.”

FAAN, stakeholders hold conference on safe, secure, profitable air transport

All is now set for the maiden “FAAN National Aviation Conference” being organized by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The conference, with the theme ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport’ which was initially billed to hold from 1st to 4th April, 2020 stalled due to the global movement restrictions occasioned by the dreaded coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

The conference is aimed at providing a veritable platform for brainstorming and sharing  knowledge and ideas on the progress and challenges in the Aviation Industry in Nigeria.

FAAN’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze (Mrs) who made this known in a statement on Tuesday, said the scheduled date for the conference is 14th to 17th June, 2022, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

“FNAC will bring together captains of industries, top government functionaries, seasoned aviation experts and key stakeholders like the Honourable Minister of Aviation – Senator Hadi Sirika, State Governors and Chief Executives of all Aviation industry.

“A select number of dignitaries will also speak on critical issues faced by our industry”, she said.

She also added that the conference will also feature an investment forum, which will focus on attracting local and international investors in order to apprise them with the investment opportunities in the Nigerian aviation industry.

Some of the topics that will be treated by seasoned aviation experts at the conference include; Implementing Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM): Prospects and Challenges; Collaborative Service Delivery in Nigeria Air Transport Industry: The way forward; Aviation and National Security: Emerging Trends; Addressing Nigeria’s Unviable Airport Syndrome; Nigerian Airports: Gateway to Developing and Managing Tourist Destinations in Nigeria;Ease of Doing Business as a panacea for boosting investments in Nigerian airports among others.

“The conference promises to be a catalyst for investments and national economic development, while also addressing the future of Nigerian Airports with respect to safety; security; innovations; financing; leasing; sustainability and growth”, she concluded.

Cross River journalists elect new Exco

The newly elected executive of the Cross River State Journalists Forum have been urged to be diligent in their watchdog role especially in the state.
The charge was given by past executives of the forum after the elections held at the NUJ FCT secretariat Utako which saw the new Exco led by Ignatius Ushie given certificates of return.
In his charge, Don Bassey Awassam harped on the need to identify with credible media houses so as to remain relevant in the profession, adding that the Exco should engage the executive back home in the state to ensure accountability.
Also speaking, Omini Oden. Head, Corporate Affairs, Media and Communication National Senior Citizens Centre stressed the importance of a forum such as CROSSJOF and called on members and Exco not to relent in fostering the spirit of teamwork and professionalism.
The outgoing Chairman Gabriel Odu called on the new Exco to leverage on the foundation built by the outgoing Exco to take the Cross River Journalists Forum to greater heights.
Other members of the newly elected executive include, Lulu Bankong , Vice Chairman, Francisca Ogar secretary, Godwin Tawo assistant secretary, Idara Ukpanyang Treasurer, Wofai Ibor financial secretary, Leonard Oru Welfare secretary, Nten Ekpang public Relations Officer.
In his acceptance speech, the incoming Chairman thanked the forum for the confidence reposed in his team and him and promised that priority will be given to members welfare in his tenure.
The Cross River Journalists Forum is an association of journalists of Cross River extraction practicing in the FCT.

Eid El Fitr: Kogi Professionals Network Charges Muslims, Others on Politics, Security

In commemoration of the Eid El Fitr marking the end of their 30-day Ramadan fast, the Kogi Professionals Network (KPN) has congratulated all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and Kogi State in particular for staying true to the spirit of the period.

Convener and President of the Network, Dr. James Odaudu in a statement Monday said “as we pray for their good deeds, petitions and supplications to be accepted by the Almighty Allah (SAW), we also remind them that the nation, and by extension, Kogi State, needs constant spiritual intervention to overcome the political, spiritual and security challenges currently plaguing the polity”.

According to him, “This need has become very paramount, given that the State is passing through a period of selections and elections of a new set of leaders in whose hands the destiny of the over five million Kogites will be thrusted.

“We therefore request the Christians to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in praying and working for the emergence of leaders with capacity and undiluted commitment to the welfare of the people and overall development of the state.”

He called on Kogites, irrespective of their ethnic, political and religious backgrounds, to join hands in ensuring that the bigotries that have held the state down from inception are removed henceforth by supporting only those that have the zeal and patriotic disposition to the development of the state.

Kogi Professionals Network is a Association of professionals of diverse disciplines and membership drawn from all over the state without bias to place of residence, gender, tribal, religious or political affiliations, and with unalloyed commitment to the entrenchment of good governance and unity in Kogi State.

Clergyman advocates marriage as tool for national unity

The wedding on Saturday between Mark Dassan Godhelp of Takka, Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State and Lucy Chinwendu Godwin, of Umokoro, Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Imo state provided a platform to reemphasize the for national unity.

Rev. Fr. Jude Maigari, the officiating Preist, described the wedding which held at St. Rita Catholic Church, Unity Estate, Mararaba, Lafia Diocese, as a practical demonstration of the country’s unity, stressing that the event represents a mini Nigeria.

Admonishing the couple on ways to make their marriage work and live happily ever after, Fr. Maigari, gave five principles including patience, counselling skills, forgiveness, wisdom and love for each other.

“the couple must have the patience of a teacher, the skills of a counsellor, the forgiveness of a mother, wisdom of a salesman, and always demonstrate the love of Christ” stated Rev. Fr. Maigari.

He said that Saturday’s wedding marks the 125th in St Rita this year, urging the couple to imbibe the habits of saying ‘I am sorry’ ‘Please I forgive me’ as these words have a way of growing their love and helping them live in harmony.

The Preist anchored the first Bible reading on the book of Sirach 26:1-4 and 13+16 with the theme: ‘Like the sun rising in the beauty of a well-kept house’, while the second reading was anchored on the first letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 5, 22-33.

Speaking during the occasion, the Rev. Dr. Victoria Ogechi Mirabelle, expressed excited saying that it is a dream come true, stressing that the events that led to the realization of the wedding, show that it is ordained by God.

‘For sometime, I have been praying for my daughter’s wedding and God asked me to choose a date. So I did choose a date and to confirm that this is ordained by God, the day the young man came to ask if Lucy could marry him, he named the date that coincided with the one I had earlier choose’ she stated.

In his remarks, Mr. Matthew Gusen, the groom’s father, described the occasion as a happy one, noting that the wedding remains an event will remembered for the rest of his life.

‘Today is my happiest day and a day I will remember till I die. The way the Igbo community are dancing show me that truly that have given me their daughter, and I promise to take care of her the way God would like’.

The occasion provided a uniting factor between the Plateau people of the North Central region and Igbo of the South Eastern region of Nigeria as it was signposted with different dance groups from both regions.

FG TARGETS $2.6M, 5000 JOBS FROM BADAGRY SEAPORT

The Federal Government has disclosed that when the Badagry Deep Seaport becomes operational, it is estimated to generate $ 2.6 million and create about 5, 000 jobs, directly and indirectly.

This was made known Wednesday when the Minister of Transportation,  Rotimi Amaechi, received in courtesy, the Director, Transportation, Infrastructure Department, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Dr. Emmanuel Onwodi, who presented the Minister, the “Full Business Case Compliance Certificate” for the Badagry Deep Seaport and the Modular Floating Dock.

In a statement signed by the Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Dr. Onwodi, said the project will “create a total ecosystem in terms of shipping, transportation, job creation and others” Most notable attribute of the Badagry port, Onwodi, said is that it will enable the country compete favourably with the Contonou seaport” .

“In respect of the Dry Dock which is handled by NIMASA, the revenue that will come to the Federal Government within that period is $65 million and it’s going to create a job opportunity of over 800,000”, Onwodi said.

The Minister thanked the ICRC for its diligence, noting that the presentation reflects that the project is financially viable.

He further informed that the Ministry will write to the Federal Executive Council for approval on the projects.

Present at the function was the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.