Abuja Airport to introduce park and pay for motorists

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has concluded plans to introduce a more organized park and pay for motorists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The development is to address the problems of touts, who go about harrasing and extorting innocent drivers who bring in passengers at the airport.

Speaking to the Executive members iof the Abuja Transportation and Aviation Correspondents Association (ATACA) the airport manager/Regional general manager North Central, Kabir Mohammed said this is aimed at bringing sanity to the airport.

He also said as part of the ongoing reorganisations at the airport, the rowdy taxi drivers and the illegal businesses going on at the front of the departure hall at airport will addressed.

Also, in order curb the issue of the traffic Jam at the toll gate of the airport, which affected staff, airport users and passengers, the airport manager has commissioned a taskforce which constitutes of himself and head of department to supervise at the toll gate on a daily basis with the sole aim of managing the inflow of
traffic into airport.

This effort has improved on the situation to a great extent, making entry into the airport easier.

Mohammed has proposed the relocation of the Mosque to a more comfortable location for easy vehicular movement within the airport and as well as expanding the car park.

Mohammed has proposed the introduction of shuttle buses for staff, stakeholders and airport users, as well as a staff welfare & recreation centre.

Introduction of staff weekly/monthly reporting which has made positive impact on staff discipline and performance.

Apapa Gridlock: FG to sanction erring port terminal operators

The Federal Ministry of Transportation has threatened to sanction liable terminal operators who obstruct Federal Governments efforts aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business at the nation’s ports.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stated this today at the flag-off of the Ports Standing Task Team’s “Operation Free the Ports Corridors” of perennial gridlock witnessed along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Magdalene Ajani, said “Terminal operators are tenants of the Nigerian Ports Authority and there are terms and conditions for their operations and they can be brought to book”.

She made this assertion following allegations that the operators intentionally delay containers to accumulate demurrage while making it compulsory for clients to pay deposit on them and still slow down the process so that the required number of days elapses, causing the importer to lose the deposits.

Speaking further, she said: “The greatest thing that can happen to Nigeria is that Apapa ports remains free and business transactions are achieved in less than 24 hours”. This and more she affirmed can be realised when all agencies operating at the ports adopt a Standard Operating Procedure geared towards achieving the Nigerian Port Process Manual.

While directing the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to repair the failed sections of the roads , she equally informed of ongoing discussion with the Federal Ministry of Works on how to ameliorate the roads before the rains set in.

Narrating how getting to Apapa port was an impossible task in December of 2020, the Permanent Secretary luaded the Ports Standing Task Team for making it possible for her to get to Apapa from the airport in just 40 minutes. While acknowledging that a lot still needs to be done in areas of access roads, she prayed what has been achieved, should be sustained

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Emmanuel Jime, in his presentation “congratulated the Ports Standing Task Team for having succeeded in forming the group as an enlarged task team for the purposes of removing illegal checkpoints and shanties along the port corridors”.

On the issue of Stakeholders commitment towards resolving the challenges at the ports, Jime said: “I am particularly excited because of the level of buy-in obtained from the Stakeholders, coming from both the public and private sectors. It goes just to demonstrate how all of us are eager to rid the port corridors of the anomalies we witness daily”.

He assured the relevant stakeholders on behalf of the task team that the operations will be conducted without undermining the provisions of any agencies Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) or Act, adding that the team is also mindful of all legal and Institutional frameworks guiding the operations of all agencies operating within the corridor.

Speaking also, the General Manager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services, Nigerian Port Authority, Eniola Williams, who represented the Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, attested to the MoU in the area of enforcement of minimum standards for Trucks, adding that the Federal Ministry of Works has been reached to ensure that the roads are rehabilitated, as it is a factor that needs to be addressed aside from streamlining the checkpoints and individuals along the port corridor.

The Chairman Apapa Local Government Area, Lagos State, Idowu Sebanjo, called on all government agencies to return Apapa to the Port City status she hitherto enjoyed. “it is our mission in the local authority to make Apapa a modern city, where things are done properly, people living properly and the environment is clean and conducive for everybody.

FG directs NRC to handover passengers’ identification to technology firm

The Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to handover tickets and passengers identification to Secure ID, the company incharge of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna rail service, to reduce crime and avoid security crises on the route.

Amaechi disclosed this when the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) presented the Full Business Case Certificates (FBC) for Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri E-Ticketing service to the Ministry of Transportation, Wednesday.

According to him, the introduction of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna had increased the generated revenue from about 100million Naira to 400million Naira monthly,  successfully blocking revenue leakages.

“The benefits of the E-Ticketing is that we rose from 100million Naira to 400 million Naira per month, which is an improvement, we have been able to do something that will eliminate leakages.

“On the issue of  ticket racketeering, I have spoken to the person in charge of Abuja-Kaduna to take over the identification process from NRC. Because what the National Assembly told me was that NRC doesn’t cross-check the ID of passengers on the tickets, and the ticketing company had wanted to do it, but they have not gotten the approval from NRC.

“So I have told NRC to allow them do it, so that we match faces with the names. It’s not all about crime alone but it’s also security. So if we release it to the technology outfit, eventhough we cannot eliminate 100 percent crime and corruption, it will reduce the danger of having to run into security crises, so that we know that what we are battling with is not crises in our terminals but on the way and I believe that, that also will be sorted out as we go to cabinet for approval of the security gadgets.”

Earlier, Mr. Michael Ohiani, the Acting Director-General of the ICRC said that the concession is for ten years which will generate over 140 billion Naira during the period and also create over 3000 direct and indirect jobs.

“The concession is for ten years,  it is going to generate over 140billion Naira to the Federal Government,  most importantly it will also create job opportunities for over 3000, direct and indirect jobs. 

“The next phase is for the Honourable Minister to take it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and the Ministry of Justice will now clear it,” Ohiani said.

2023: Plateau APC Holds Rally For Tinubu As Consensus Candidate

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have thrown their weight behind former Lagos state Governor, Bola Tinubu, as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.

The group expressed their support for Tinubu today at a massive rally in Jos, the state’s capital.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Solomon Ndam described Tinubu as a good omen for the country owing to his numerous contributions to the sustenance of our nascent democracy over decades.

Addressing party faithful, Ndam noted that the aspirations of the party’s national leader “presents us with a great opportunity to turn the fortunes of the country around for good, owing to his leadership style that speaks volumes of an unalloyed commitment to sustainable growth and development”.

He, therefore, said it will be an error of judgment if the APC in Plateau state does not rally support for his presidential aspiration.

Although conceding that the former Governor has shown love for the people of the state, Ndam added that he is a detribalized Nigeria that knows no tribe or religion but one Nigeria.

According to him, Tinubu flaunts a towering credential and experience, comparable to none, that suits the purpose of addressing the myriads of challenges in the country.

Ndam, however, urged other state chapters to adopt their national leader as consensus candidate, noting that with him victory is certain in 2023.

Read full statement below:

We welcome you all to this one in a lifetime rally in Jos, the capital of Plateau state. We are glad that such an event is held on the soil of our great state in support of an enigma who has indicated an interest in the top leadership position in the country.

That we have all come out in our numbers indicates that the APC in Plateau state is in tune with the country’s mood about the presidential aspiration of the indefatigable Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

As critical stakeholders in the state, we are duty-bound to lend our voices to the great movement about to take the whole country by storm. We are excited and elated because something good is about to happen in our polity.

We have seen the good, bad and ugly. We dare say that the coming on board of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a good omen for our great country because of his numerous contributions to the sustenance of our nascent democracy over decades.

It must be stated that the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu indeed presents us with a great opportunity to turn the fortunes of the country around for good, owing to his leadership style that speaks volumes of an unalloyed commitment to sustainable growth and development.

It will therefore be an error of judgment if the APC in Plateau state does not rally support for the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This gathering today that saw people from all the local government areas of Plateau state demonstrates the love the Plateau people have for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The name Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a household one in Plateau state because of the tremendous love and respect he has demonstrated for the Plateau people over the years. It is instructive to note that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently displayed love and affection to the Plateau people in ways too numerous to mention.
He has identified with us in good and trying times. He has made the issues affecting Plateau state a top priority for him, and for him, we are eternally grateful. Some might wonder why Plateau state and some might also wonder why the incredible display of love by the Plateau people for him.

The answer is simple; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a detribalized Nigeria that knows no tribe or religion but one Nigeria. His progressive leadership style is such that it is guaranteed to translate the hopes and aspirations of the people into tangible reality.

For us at the Plateau APC Support Group, this is the time to reciprocate our love and appreciation for a man who has served as a pillar of support for the entrenchment of democracy in the country.
Let us make no mistakes; this mammoth crowd seen here today is not a fluke. It reflects the true Plateau spirit that values friendship and rewards loyalty. And that is the atmosphere experienced here in this rally today.

We are not just gathered for the sake of it. We are gathered here to press home the valuable point of why the people of Plateau state must rally support for the presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

We have looked everywhere and come to the desirable conclusion that the APC in Plateau State must be uniform in adopting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections.

This is indeed a child of necessity. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presents a towering credential and experience that suits the purpose of addressing the myriads of challenges in the country.

The Plateau APC support Group wishes to use this occasion to sound the trumpet of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to all the nook and cranny of Plateau state as the consensus candidate of the APC in the 2023 presidential elections.

As the consensus candidate of the APC, the party is indeed guaranteed a resounding electoral victory in the presidential elections. This is the ultimate aim of our gathering here today. It behoves the APC in Plateau state to queue behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

We wish to reiterate that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a Plateau Man. Therefore our support for him remains unflinching. We can feel your excitement, and we are convinced that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu shall emerge as the consensus candidate of the APC in the 2023 presidential elections.

We lack the appropriate words to express our appreciation for all that came out in their numbers today. We are grateful and pledge to campaign vigorously and with your support to actualize the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Thank you, and God bless.

Middle Belt Group raises alarm, says Plateau state under Lalong has collapsed

A group, the Middle Belt Conscience has raised alarm over the recent issues of insecurity in Plateau state.

The group said after a detailed review of events, it is compelled to declare that Plateau State has collapsed under the leadership of the state governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, under whom the misery index of citizens in the state attained a new low.

In a statement issued and signed by its Secretary General, Jonah Bot, the group said while it is true that Lalong inherited some security challenges upon assuming office as governor,  it is also true that the security woes of Plateau state further degenerated under his watch as he incompetently failed to address the underlying issues contrary to his campaign promises.  

Bot said the Middle Belt Conscience found it tragic to discover that the failure of Plateau State Government under Lalong is a matter of weaponized incompetence as the insecurity and violence have continued to plague the state .

He said the excuse that security challenge is a nationwide problem for Nigeria does not hold true for Plateau State, which faces ethnically motivated violence that is fueled by the governor’s obsession with placing his ethnic group above all others. He turned the administration of the state into an exclusive club of his clansmen on government.  

“The Middle Belt Conscience is alarmed that despite the myriads of crises that Lalong has inflicted on Plateau State in recent times, he remained callous and insensitive enough to occupy himself with a vice-presidential ambition, an enterprise that would further ruin whatever is left of the state and its treasury. 

“There was much hope that Lalong would break the curse of corruption that had seen his predecessors committed to jail terms for stealing state funds, but it is now apparent that he is resolute on keeping his date with anti-corruption agencies, the fear of which has made him more desperate in his bid to become Nigeria’s vice president” he added. 

The group further called on the long-suffering people of Plateau State, all discerning Nigerians to demand that Lalong accounts for his years in office before attempting to step upwards.

2023: Amaechi visits Kano, Daura Emirates, says Transport University will take-off September

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday, expressed optimism that the Daura Transport University in Katsina State will take-off in September.

Amaechi who combined the inspection of the various construction works being supervised by the Transport Ministry in that area and his consultation for his presidential ambition made this known after inspecting the level of work at the university.

He disclosed that the contractors has committed to him that the remaining seven buildings will be ready before September.

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”I have asked the permanent secretary to invite them for a meeting so that this school can start functioning from September.

The minister, who also inspected Dala dry port in Kano State commended the contractors for the work done so far.

Amaechi, however, urged them to ensure speedy completion of the project to enable President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurate it on time.

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‘”If you say I’m not impressed that will be wrong. They promised me that they will complete the project by today.

”Have they completed the structures? Yes, but I didn’t see the landscaping. So, I said until they complete the landscaping, I will not be able to bring the president here.

”If they complete the landscaping, we can then bring the president to come and inaugurate the project, but it appears they have finished the structures,” he said.

The minister also said that the Kano-Kaduna rail project, was encountering some setbacks, expressing the hope that it would be addressed by the governor of the affected state.

The minister also visited the Emirs of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, that of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero and that of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk at their palaces, this time over his Presidential ambition.

These visits comes two days after the minister declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

While welcoming him to the palace, the emir of Kano thanked the minister for choosing Kano state for his first consultation visit.

The Emir who blessed that ambition said “I know him since when he was speaker to the time he became governor and now a minister. People are also aware of the roles he played then and now. All these make him to qualify to contest the seat of president of Nigeria”.

The Emir of Bichi disclosed that he has had a long-standing relationship with the minister and prayed for good leadership in the country.

He urged all contestants and the present leaders to always put the country first in any situation.

“We welcome the honorable minister to Bichi emirate and we wish him the best of luck. We are always praying for good leadership and also for the coming elections to be peaceful in the country.”

The minister who explained that he has only come home, thanked the emirs for their warm reception, kind words and blessings towards his candidature. He also promised that while developing the whole nation as president, he will give special attention to the emirates.

2023: I am compelled, Amaechi says as he declares for presidency

A TEXT OF HIS DECLARATION SPEECH

Forward with Courage
 
Fellow Nigerians, 
 
I stand before you today to declare my intention and submit my application to serve as your next President. 
 
I did not come to this decision lightly. I have served our nation for the last seven years as Minister of Transportation. For eight years before that, I served as Governor of Rivers State. In the preceding eight years before that, I was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. These 23 years of service have equipped me not only with great experience in governance and public service but also compassion for the ordinary citizens of our dear country. 
 
After more than two decades in the public arena, I had wanted to go on holiday and spend more time with my family before charting a new course outside politics. But at 58, and a member of the generation born after independence who has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of Nigeria, I am compelled by the urgency of our present challenges to place my experience and proven capacity at the service of the nation at the highest level.     
 
Those who know me can testify that I have always been a straight talker. This trait has not always made me popular, but I speak truth with conviction. So, allow me to speak the truth here today. 
  
 
We are facing some very serious challenges as a country. These are problems of insecurity, challenges of greater accountability in governance, youth unemployment and the scourge of spiraling poverty. 
 
These problems are however not the exclusive preserve of Nigeria. We live in a troubled world. The reality we used to know has altered in nearly every nation. Climate change has brought about food scarcity in some places. Population explosion has produced unusual pressure on resources and supplies. Poverty has become a challenge all over the world especially in the developing world. The Covid crisis has placed unanticipated burdens on the budgets of nations and put pressure on available resources. Trans border crises have erupted in unusual places and placed the internal security of many nations under pressure. We are part of the Sahel, an area of the world that is subject to frequent terrorist attacks. Let us look at our current challenges as part and consequences of these global trends.
 
I admit that Nigeria’s problems did not begin today. And they will not be solved overnight. But they are not beyond the capacity of our people to solve. Fortunately, that process has already started.
 
 
There is an ancient proverb that “a society grows great when old men plant trees under whose shade they know they’ll never sit.” 
 
The current administration under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has planted many such trees in Nigeria’s future. We have invested billions in infrastructure, human capital development and made reforms that will pay off over time in terms of socio-economic growth and stability. We have invested heavily in projects and initiatives that will secure a brighter, better future for Nigeria. 
  
I am proud to have been part of this success story. It has been an honour overseeing the Ministry of Transportation in reviving the moribund railways, and working tirelessly to create an integrated national transportation system that will positively impact our economy, trade, employment, business, and national cohesion. Have we achieved everything we set out to do? Off-course not. Could wehave done more? Undoubtedly, there is always room for improvement. 
  
On reflection, the notion of running for President would have been far beyond the imagination of the young lad running around the streets of Diobu or our small compound in Ubima. Not to talk of the young indigent student leader, mobilizing peers at the University of Port Harcourt. But my aspiration is not about fulfilling any personal ambition. I am contesting for office because I believe that it is my moral duty to give what I can in the service of my country. 
To sustain and intensify present efforts at solving our national problems, our democracy must ensure the emergence of a leadership that is equipped with broad experience in governance to ensure stability and continuity. To sustain our democracy and preserve our unity, we need a steady hand and a passion for success in a nation that remains united to pursue prosperity for all Nigerians. 
 
It is this combination of experience and patriotic passion that I bring to the table. I have been in the political arena for 23 years. I have served at every level of government – local, state, and federal. I have served both as a political appointee and an elected official. I have served both as an executive – as Governor of Rivers State and as a legislator – as Speaker of the State House of Assembly.  
 
In these capacities, I did not just fill vacant posts. As a Speaker, I managed the legislative process in a difficult transition from military rule. As Governor, I defeated mercantile militancy and restored security. As a minister, I can modestly claim to have justified the trust of Nigerians.  
 
I do not come from a privileged background. I grew up poor. I understand how it feels to go without some meals in a day. I know the pain of lack and the agony of want. I know what it means to see your parents toil just to keep a roof over your family’s head. I know what it is to feel the weight of expectation when you are are the only one in your family who enjoys the opportunity to attend university. Subsequently, I funded the education of my siblings to be university graduates as well. I know what it is to scrimp and save and struggle. 
  
In spite of all odds, I have journeyed to this point. I could not have come this far without my parents, Fidelis, and Mary, who sacrificed so much for me. I could not have come this far without the support of my siblings. I could not have come this far without the mentors, friends and sponsors who have believed in me. I could not have come this far without the precious wife of my youth and my best friend, Judith, and my children who mean everything to me. I could not have come this far without the support of Dr. Peter Odili and his wife. I could not have come this far without the support of Chief Rufus Ada-George. Neither could I have come this far without the support of President Muhammadu Buhari. Above all, I could not have come this far without the Grace of God. 
  
 
The next leg of my political journey will be tough. But I am excited to go out and engage with Nigerians from every walk of life. I am ready to go from Maiduguri to Makurdi, from Sokoto to Sagbama, from Yola to Oyo, from Badagry to Birnin Kebbi. To each town and village, I will have one message: Hope is around the corner.  
 
I look forward to meeting you in your towns, villages, cities, campuses, and creeks. I want to hear your desires, needs and pains. I want to know what matters most to you. I want to listen and learn. I will be coming with one assurance: I will be welcome everywhere because the blood of every Nigerian flow in my veins. I shall be the president of all and every Nigerian.
  
I believe that despite our cultural differences, we remain one people under God. We may speak different languages or worship in different ways, but we all want the same things – a better life for our children, the ability to support our families, the freedom to live in peace without fear for our lives or properties. 
  
  
 I have never been the type who folds his arms and complains about inadequacies I see around me. I have always jumped in with both feet to do whatever I can to help, to try and bring relief to those suffering, to work to make things right where I see wrong. If you elect me as your President, I promise to play my part to the best of my ability. Every day I will rise and go to work for you. I will never forget the fact that I am there to serve you.  
 
Today, I stand as an aspirant to the position of President because of that same passion for people; that same drive for results. More than ever before, I am burning with the zeal to make a decisive difference in the lives of allNigerians. 
  
No matter the darts and arrows that come my way, I will remain steadfast because the stakes are too high. We cannot afford to fail. We cannot afford to veer off-course. 
  
I pledge my heart, mind and soul to the task of building a Nigeria in which every child can go to school, every young person can find work or support to start a business, every citizen can travel safely around the country and sleep at night knowing that law and order prevails and every Nigerian feels included, heard, and respected. 
  
The road ahead will be long and arduous. But we go forward with faith. 
  
Forward with courage. 
  
Forward with compassion. 
  
Forward with hope. 
  
Forward with pride for who we are as a people and who we are yet to become. 
 
The future is bright because of YOU. 
  
God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 
 
 
 
CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI

Train Attack: We’re doing everything to rescue kidnapped victims, FG assures victims’ families

The Ministry of Transportation has disclosed that the government was doing a lot to ensure that  passengers kidnapped during a recent terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train regains freedom.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, while speaking Thursday in Abuja at the 2021 ministerial press briefing for the ministry said the ministry could not disclose all that was being done to ensure the safe return of the abducted passengers.

She added that efforts were being made to ensure that no life was lost among those kidnapped.

Members of families of kidnapped passengers who boarded the Abuja-Kaduna train that was attacked on March 28, 2022, staged a surprise protest  at the venue of a ministerial press briefing organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in Abuja. They displayed placards demanding the government to do everything to rescue their loved ones.

One of the protesters, Idayat Yusuf, who has two sisters still with their abductors, spoke to journalists in tears pleaded with the government to help rescue their loved ones.

In her words, “The government should come to the aid of those who are alive. We are sorry and sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives and those in the hospital. But for those who are alive, at least government should bring them back.

“We are praying for the government to be able to rescue them. Two of my sisters from the same mother and father are among those kidnapped.”

Another protester, Aminu Othman, who also has a brother  with the terrorists, alleged that the Federal Government has not been forthcoming with information as regards those abducted.

He disclosed that the families of the victims decided to stage a protest at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, before they were informed that the ministry was holding a press briefing at the Radio House, Abuja.

He said, “ For the past 10 days, we’ve not heard anything from the government. My immediate younger brother and his wife are among the victims and they are still with the kidnappers.

“It is the most difficult 10 days I’ve ever had in my life. It is a nightmare for me. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat and it’s been seriously tough for us.”

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria was however conspicuously absent as heads of agencies under the supervision of the ministry took turns to reel out achievements made by their different organisations.

Nigeria Air: Sirika explains relationship with Emirates

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has cleared the air on an offer by The Emirates on the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air.

According to a statement Sunday signed by his Special Assistant, Public Affairs, James Odaudu the relationship cannot be anything other than an endorsement of the need, the zeal, and, of course the process for the national carrier project.

He added that the statement credited to the airline is also an expression of confidence of the international aviation community in the commitment of the Buhari government to the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier.

The management of Emirates Airlines recently made an offer to partner with the Nigerian Government in its quest to establish a national carrier and this has elicited requests for clarification, mostly from the media and industry stakeholders.

Speaking recently during a panel session moderated by Richard Quest to discuss the future of Aviation at the Dubai Expo 2020, Tim Clark, President of Emirates said the organization would be very happy to help if any assistance was required in starting the national carrier.

According to Clark who was speaking in support of the position of Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Senator Hadi Sirika, the establishment of a national carrier is an almost compelling case for Nigeria, going by certain indices.

“Of course, Nigeria needs a National Airline. There is an enormous business case for the national carrier. Nigerians are seeking to travel all over the world. Nigeria is a power house of Africa. We are very interested in flying there because it is a rich nation in terms of demand for services,” Clark had said.

The Minister also sees the offer as an encouragement to the many bidders currently preparing their PPP bids for Nigeria Air in response to the recently advertised Request for Proposal.

The process for the acquisition of the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and the Air Transport License (ATL) is well on course for the expected launch date of the airline, which Sirika has assured, Nigerians will be proud of.

“As has been repeatedly stated, the whole process for the establishment of the national Carrier, and indeed, all the projects under the Administration’s Aviation Roadmap, has been guided by the principles of transparency and accountability and this will remain till the final delivery of the project,” the statement added.

Youths, women march to Villa, seek Tinubu as APC consensus candidate

Women and youths from across the nineteen northern states in Nigeria today converged on Abuja and marched to the Presidential villa to demand the adoption of All Progressive Congress, APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the party in the forthcoming Presidential election.

The group said Tinubu is the only person fit and capable among all those that have been declaring their intention to turn around the economy of the country. 

Led by Patriot Yakubu Dauda, they said the APC Youth and Women in the 19 Northern States of the federation have been actively involved in the activities of the party through several ways that have positioned the party firmly in the hearts of the people.

He said, “We wish to inform Mr President that we have also been actively mobilizing support for the party at the grassroots levels across the 19 northern states in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“The response of the people has been encouraging. We wish to use this medium to inform Mr President that the APC as a party has continued to have a stronghold amongst the people who have been beneficial to the various social security initiatives implemented across the country in critical sectors such as agriculture, education and health.

“Mr President, in the course of our daily engagements, across the northern states, we have been inundated with an astronomical level of support for the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His acceptance level amongst the grassroots is phenomenal. One might be tempted to think he has his origin from the North.

“As a group with a vast network amongst youths and women in the 19 northern states in the county, including the Federal Capital Territory, we can say without fear or favour that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is widely accepted as the prime candidate for our great party in the coming 2023 general elections. This is on the heels that he has been able to build bridges across the country in service to the country and humanity through ways too numerous to mention” he added

The group said after extensive deliberations and consultations, the APC Youth and Women in the 19 Northern states, including the federal capital territory, have elected to adopt Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC in the 2023 general elections.

Dauda saud It is the firm conviction of the group  that the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is well in place for guaranteed victory for the APC because of his broad appeal across religious groups and ethnicities.

“The candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is such that it resonates with the ordinary man and woman on the street. They see him as their role model, and he has indeed touched their lives in ways too numerous to mention.

“Mr President, the adoption of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tunubu as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC is a national concern for the party and its teeming supporters. They are desirous of not just ensuring the party comes out victorious at the general elections but also a president that would sustain the tempo of your laudable initiatives.

“Mr President, as the leader and father of our great party, we are grateful to God for gifting you to Nigeria when the country was on the verge of annihilation. You indeed remain God sent to Nigeria.

“It, therefore, becomes imperative that our great party presents a candidate in the mould of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has the clout and all other requirements to sustain those laudable initiatives of this present administration.

“Mr President, may we humbly use this medium to inform you that there is a need for your kind and urgent intervention towards adopting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC. In our opinion, this would go a long way in positioning the party for electoral success come 2023” he added

Dauda added that there is no gainsaying that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a well-loved and adored Nigerian whose antecedence speaks volumes of selfless service to the country right from 1999 in his capacity as the executive governor of Lagos state.

“Mr President, we must not also forget the numerous contributions of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the formation and sustenance of our great party, as it is on record that he has been selfless without fail since our great party come into existence.

“The Concerned APC Youth and Women in the 19 Northern States, including the Federal Capital Territory, supports the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2023 presidential elections in the country.

“We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that all stakeholders in our great party would adopt the endorsement of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the party for the presidential elections.

“Mr President, we thank you for your selfless service to the country. We pray that God continues to bless you with wisdom and understanding as you pilot the affairs of our great nation” he added.