Author: The Nation

  • Super Eagles midfielder faces deportation from Denmark

    Super Eagles midfielder faces deportation from Denmark

    Super Eagles midfielder Izunna Uzochukwu is to be deported from Denmark even though he has a girlfriend and wife living in the Scandinavian country.

    Uzochukwu has played more than 200 games for FC Midtjylland and OB and has lived in Denmark for large periods of his life.

    The Nigerian lost his permanent residence permit because he gave up his residence and his CPR number in Denmark in connection with his transfer to the Chinese club MZ Hakka in January 2018.

    The midfielder has since appealed the expulsion from Denmark, and it has now been rejected, which means that he must therefore pack his bags and leave the country.

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    “I have my girlfriend and my daughter in Denmark, and I have almost lived in the country for 15 years. I feel really bad and I’m really stressed about it. I can’t do anything!” Uzochukwu said to bold.dk.

    “I cannot live in Denmark now, and they are trying to get me out of the country because they have said no to the appeal.

    “I don’t think it’s fair, and I’ve been waiting for more than two years. I can’t do anything, and I’ve had offers from other clubs that I’ve had to say no to.”

    Uzochukwu argued that he was in Denmark several times during his time with the Chinese club but the visits were classed as holiday visits.

    The Danish Immigration Board have insisted that the midfielder could not get a dispensation despite his strong connection to Denmark because he  did not have the same address as his daughter, and emphasized that the child was only born after he left for China.

  • Pomp as Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup marks 55th edition

    Pomp as Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup marks 55th edition

    Nigeria’s oldest sports tournament, Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup marks its 55th edition this year as players across Lagos battle for trophies and prize money at the three-day tournament taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    The tournament which has produced some of the country’s finest table tennis stars including the legendary Atanda Musa started in 1968 by the late business mogul Molade Okoya-Thomas to mark his installation as the then Asoju Oba of Lagos.

    This year’s edition will kick off on Monday December 18 to 20 with players competing in the senior and junior divisions as the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA) has promised to use the tournament to select its team for the 2024 National Sports Festival. 

    Deji Okoya-Thomas said this year’s marks another milestone celebration of the competition which has continued to churn out players for the country while pelding the commitment of the family to the annual staging of the championships.

    “We want to continue to uphold the legacy of our late father, by ensuring that we mark every milestone edition with unique activities and for this year, we hope to make it distinct by ensuring that we reward the players and participants with good prizes. We are aware of the economic challenges across the country but in our usual style, we will stage the tournament in a low-key way hoping that it will fulfil the ideal of the founder of the competition,” he said.

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    He added: “With the large turnout of players for a recent tournament in Lagos, we believe that more young players will again come through this tournament just like the likes of Olufunke Oshonaike, Bose Kaffo and a host of others have come through to become stars in Africa and the world. But we also lay emphasis on the education of the athletes because we want to follow the ideals of our father, we most times preached education with sports during his lifetime being a former athlete himself. We hope the best players will again emerge this year as we look forward to an exciting tournament.”

    For the chairman of LSTTA, Tunji Lawal, the family of late Okoya-Thomas should be commended for keeping faith with the consistent staging of the tournament event after the demise of the initiator. “We must commend the family for their efforts to sustain the tournament on yearly basis and we want to use the tournament to pick our team for the 2024 National Sports Festival and after that we want to start a league that we keep the players in shape for the championships. We have realised that our players must be active for them to perform at their best in major tournaments and we are hoping that new players will come through this year as usual,” Lawal said.

  • AC Milan chief  hails Chukwueze after UCL goal

    AC Milan chief  hails Chukwueze after UCL goal

    AC Milan technical director Geoffrey Moncada has been impressed by winger Samuel Chukwueze’s displays for the club in their last two games in the UEFA Champions League. 

    Chukwueze, who joined Milan from Villarreal last summer, hasn’t found it easy adapting to his new surroundings.

    However, the 24-year-old Nigerian found his footing recently and put together a string of promising performances in the Champions League for the Rossoneri.

    He has failed to replicate the form in the Serie A, firing blanks in eleven matches, six of which he started.

    According to Tuttosport via SempreMilan, Moncada spoke well of the young wideman, stating the workaholic nature of the former Villarreal winger projects a good future at the club.

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    Against Newcastle United on Wednesday night, Chukwueze came on as a substitute and combined brilliantly with Noah Okafor to fire a powerful shot past Martin Dubravka to seal a much needed 2-1 win for AC Milan as well as a third place group finish and a Europa league play-off spot.

    “Chukwueze? I’m happy for him because he’s a good guy who works a lot and I’m sure that the future for him will be good for us” Moncada remarked.

    AC Milan fans will be hoping the technical director’s encouraging assessment proves accurate, and that Chukwueze provides an offensive spark from the wing position as the team pushes to achieve a top four finish this season.

  • NSCDC’S ‘My oga at the top’ Obafaiye promoted Deputy Commandant-General

    NSCDC’S ‘My oga at the top’ Obafaiye promoted Deputy Commandant-General

    A senior officer, Shem Obafaiye has been decorated by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Deputy Commandant-General for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The Nation learnt Obafaiye was decorated alongside two of his colleagues — Fasiu Adeyinka, ex-Kwara commandant; and Raji, former Imo commandant; as deputy commandants-general.

    In 2013, Obafaiye became a popular figure in Nigeria after a famous interview aired on Channels Television.

    NSCDC had replaced Obafaiye as the Lagos State Commandant of the outfit. Clement Adesuyi, from the Oyo State Command, took over from him.

    His problem began when he was asked to state the NSCDC’s website for members of the public who would like to get information about the agency.

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    He said: “The one (website) that we are going to make use of is going to be made known by my Oga at the top. Yes. I can’t announce one now, and my Oga says it’s another one that we are going to use,

    “If you want to know about NSCDC as at now. Ok, www.nscdc…. That’s all.”

    The interview, compressed into a 1 minute 8 seconds video, went viral on social media, with music DJs spinning off a ‘remix’ of the interview and shirts with the ‘Oga at the top’ insignia’ retailed on online shops.

    Announcing the promotion, Tunji-Ojo tweeted: “As the chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), I decorated the three new Deputy Commandants General of the @official_NSCDC today.”

  • N2.757m fraud: court grants husband bail, remands wife in custody

    N2.757m fraud: court grants husband bail, remands wife in custody

    Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday  granted bail to a businessman, Oriyomi Idowu, in the sum of N250 million.

    The wife, Ruth Idowu will however remain in custody as the court deferred till December 20 the hearing of her bail application.

    The couple is facing a 20 count charge offence brought against them by the Lagos zone of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The charges bordered on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, stealing, retention of stolen property, and forgery to the tune of N2,757,188,000.00

    The EFCC had arraigned the couple  on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, alongside three companies, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Limited, Samee Idowu Company Limited and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited,  belonging to Ruth Idowu.

    The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the court to adjourn till yesterday for hearing of their bail applications.

    During proceedings, James Alara, counsel for the wife, informed the court that he was withdrawing the earlier motion for the bail of his client, and replacing it with a new one, “due to the need to include the medical reports on the health status of the first defendant.

    EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, however, responded that the prosecution had earlier opposed the application being withdrawn.

    Bikukusu said she only received the new application on December 11, 2023.

    “We responded to the one they are withdrawing and brought to us the new one on the 11th of December 2023, and we intend to respond to the first defendant’s new bail application,” she said.

    She explained further that the prosecution needed to authenticate the said medical reports attached to the new bail application.

    Alara thereafter prayed the court for a short adjournment for the court to hear the new bail application of his client, “because of the health of the first defendant.”

    Responding, Babatunde Ogala, (SAN), counsel for the husband who is the second defendant moved the bail application for his client.

    “We urge the court to discountenance the counter-affidavit of the prosecution and grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms, as the defendant has no prior criminal records and has never been charged before now.”

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    Ogala assured the defendant will not interfere with the case.

    He further argued that his client was granted administrative bail by the EFCC during investigations and “he never jumped bail granted him by the EFCC, and has shown that he is not a flight risk.

    Responding, Buhari moved the 15-paragraph counter-affidavit of the prosecution, adding that “bail is at the discretion of the court, and if the court is so inclined, we pray for terms that will ensure appearance in court”.

    Ruling on the bail application of the second defendant, Justice Dada granted bail in the sum of N250 million, with two sureties in like sum, who must show means of gainful employment and must agree to have a lien placed on their bank accounts. The defendant was also ordered to deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of the court.

    Justice Dada adjourned till December 20, 2023 for hearing of the bail application of the first defendant.

    She also adjourned the trial of the couple till January 10 and February 2, 2024.

    Count one reads: “That you Ruth Sameeha Idowu aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd, Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited between 31st of March 2022 and 17th of May 2023 in Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves by false pretence that you have a genuine Local Purchase Order (LPO) from various vendors and with intent to defraud, obtained from Creditpro Business Support Services Ltd the sum of N2,757,188,000.00.

    Another count reads: “that you Ruth Sameeha Idowu aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd, Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited sometime in 2023 in Lagos converted the sum of N10,000,000 to purchase a GLK Benz, purchase sum derived from converting the sum of N500,000,000 belonging to Creditpro Business Support Services to disguise the illegal origin of the funds.”

    Another count further reads: “that you Ruth Sameeha Idowu aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd, Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited sometime in 2023, dishonestly retained the sum of N936,619,876 in your UBA bank account, property of Creditpro Business Support services knowing same to be fund fraudulently obtained from Creditpro Business Support Services.”

  • Nigeria’s inflation rate hits 28.2% in November – NBS

    Nigeria’s inflation rate hits 28.2% in November – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said Nigeria’s  headline inflation rate increased to 28.2 per cent in November showing a 0.87 per cent points increase over the 27.33 per cent recorded in October.

    The NBS noted that the November 2023 rate was 6.73 per cent higher than what was recorded in November 2022.

    The bureau stated this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for November released in Abuja.

    In November 2022, it said  the headline inflation rate stood at 21.47 per cent.

    It added that the increase in the headline index for November 2023 on a year-on-year basis and month-on-month basis was attributable to increases in items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.

    Increases were observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, clothing and footwear, and transport.

    There were increases also in furnishing, household equipment and maintenance, education, health, miscellaneous goods and services, restaurants and hotels, alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola, recreation and culture, and communication, it stated.

    The NBS stated also that on a month-on-month basis, headline inflation rate in November was 2.09 per cent, which was 0.35 per cent higher than the rate recorded in October at 1.73 per cent.

    “This means that in November, the rate of increase in the average price level is more than the rate of increase in the average price level in October,’’ it stated.

    It added that the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending November 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous corresponding 12-month period was 24.01 per cent.

    “This indicates a 5.64 per cent increase compared to 18.37 per cent recorded in November 2022,’’ it stated.

    The report indicated that food inflation rate in November increased to 32.84 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 8.72 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2022 at 24.13 per cent.

    “The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis is caused by increases in prices of oil and fats, bread, cereals, fish, potatoes, tubers, fruits, meat, vegetables, coffee, tea and cocoa,’’ it stated.

    It added that on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in November was 2.42 per cent, which was a 0.51 per cent increase compared to the rate recorded in October 2023 at 1.91 per cent.

     “The rise in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by an increase in the average prices of bread and cereals, oil and fat, meat, coffee, tea and cocoa, potatoes and other tubers.

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    “All items, less farm produce and energy or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 22.38 per cent in November on a year-on-year basis.

    “This increased by 4.39 per cent compared to 17.99 per cent recorded in November 2022.

     “The exclusion of petrol is due to the deregulation of the commodity by removal of subsidy,’’ the NBS stated.

    It noted that the highest increases were recorded in prices of transportation by road and by air; medical services, actual and imputed rentals for housing, pharmaceutical products and accommodation.

    The NBS said on a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.53 per cent in November 2023.

    “This indicates a 0.14 per cent rise compared to what was recorded in October 2023 at 1.39 per cent.”

    “The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 20.35 per cent for the 12 months ending November 2023; this was 4.66 per cent points higher than the 15.69 per cent recorded in November 2022,’’ it stated.

    It added that on a year-on-year basis, urban inflation rate in November was 30.21 per cent, which was 8.13 per cent higher than the 22.09 per cent recorded in November 2022.

     “On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 2.31 per cent in November representing a 0.41 per cent increase compared to October 2023 at 1.81 per cent,’’ it added.

    The report said on a year-on-year basis in November, inflationary rate in rural areas was 26.43 per cent, which was 5.55 per cent higher compared to the 20.88 per cent recorded in November 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was 1.99 per cent, which increased by 0.31 per cent compared to October 2023 at 1.67 per cent,’’ it stated.

    On states’ profile analysis, the report showed that all- items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis in November, was highest in Kogi at 33.28 per cent, followed by Lagos at 32.30 per cent, and Rivers at 32.25 per cent.

    The slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Borno at 22.47 per cent, followed by Katsina at 24.91 per cent, and Plateau at 25.53 per cent.

    The report added that in November 2023, all-items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Kano at 3.55 per cent, followed by Kebbi at 3.34 per cent, and Borno at 3.24 per cent.

    “Taraba was at 0.74 per cent, followed by Anambra at 1 per cent, while and Enugu State at 1.18 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation,’’ the NBS stated.

    The report said on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Kogi at 41.29 per cent, followed by Kwara at 40.72 per cent, and Rivers at 40.22 per cent.

    “ Bauchi at 26.14 per cent, followed by Borno at 27.34 per cent and Jigawa at 27.63 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.,’’ it stated.

    The report showed, however, that on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Cross River at 4.37 per cent, followed by Edo at 3.95 per cent, and Rivers at 3.91 per cent.

    Anambra at 0.63 per cent, followed by Oyo at 0.91 per cent and Bauchi at 1 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in inflation on a month-on-month basis, the NBS stated also.

  • War against terrorism a must win, says DHQ

    War against terrorism a must win, says DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters has described  the ongoing operations against terrorists and insecurity across the country as a war that  the military has no choice but to win.

    It also said that the military is conducting the war against terrorists in accordance with the laws of armed conflict and based on intelligence.

     The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this in a statement yesterday.

     Buba said ongoing operations are also based on both military necessity and on distinguishing between civilians, non-combatants, and terrorists.

    “ The military will continue to take the fight to the terrorists and their cohorts until they are destroyed or surrendered,” he said.

    Providing  updates on troops’ operations across the country in the past week, the Defence spokesperson said troops killed 38 terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 of them were arrested.

    He said: “ Recently, the military conducted two major air strikes on the terrorists’ enclave. One of the strikes, on 6 December 2023, neutralized several top terrorist commanders,  namely, one Machika, a top terrorist bomb expert and younger brother of a notorious terrorist(Dogo Gide).

    “ Other prominent terrorist leaders neutralized include Haro and Dan Muhammadu, both of whom are specialists in kidnapping and assault operations respectively.

      “Additionally, on 11 December 2023, through a synchronized strike between air and ground forces aimed at the same target, a renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Ali Alhaji ALHERI popularly called Kachalla Ali KAWAJE was neutralized in Munya LGA of Niger State along with many of his foot soldiers.

     According to the military high command, the military was fast closing in on others and they would equally suffer the same fate.

    On troops’ operations in the Southeast, Buba said on December 13, troops in conjunction with other security agencies arrested a prominent commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

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     Buba said: “The commander, one Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was arrested together with three other sub- commanders, namely Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere.

    “The trio were arrested after a raid on their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church Ameta Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. They gathered to plot a take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter from the apprehended former Commander known as “Chocho”. They also planned to attack troop locations.  

    “ During the raid, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. It could be recalled that Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was the Second in Command to Chocho, a notorious IPOB/ESN leader currently in custody. Subsequently, another raid connected with the arrest was conducted in December 142. Troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, Two AK 47 Magazine, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one Pump action rifle.”

    According to Buba, troops also arrested 66 oil thieves and recused 89 kidnap victims.

    The Defence spokesperson said troops on operations in the South South region recovered 357,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 185,300 litres of illegally refined diesel and 20,600 litres of petrol.

    Buba said that the troops also destroyed 15 dugout pits, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13 reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, 3 pumping machines, 64 illegal refining sites.  

    “Furthermore, troops recovered 67 assorted weapons and 1,194 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action guns, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 2 locally fabricated double barrel guns, one barreta pistol, 4 locally made pistols, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, one round of 5.56mm ammo, 15 live cartridges.

    “Others are: one magazine loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one LMG magazine, one CZ pistol magazine, 7 empty magazines, one locally made pistol magazine, one damaged magazine, one dane gun butt, 5 vehicles, 14 mobile phones, 32 motorcycles, one laptop and the sum of N1,123,800.00 amongst other items,” Buba said.

  • NSIB releases report on aircraft accident at Ibadan Airport

    NSIB releases report on aircraft accident at Ibadan Airport

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released two preliminary accident/incident reports involving the Hawker Sidley 800XP aircraft conveying a serving minister that overshot the runway and skidded into the nearby bush at Ibadan Airport on November 3, 2023.

    The aircraft involved in the Ibadan Airport accident, according to the spokesman of the NSIB, Mr. Tunji Oketumbi was operated by Flints Aero Services Limited with nationality and registration marks: 5N- AMM.

    The incident he said involved a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BXR owned and operated by FLYFORVALUE Aviation Limited at Port Harcourt Intl. Airport, Rivers State on November 14,  2023.

    Though investigations are still ongoing for the final report for the accident/ incident, Oketumbi said the NSIB found it compelling to roll out some immediate safety recommendations concerning the accident at Ibadan Airport, which exposed the fact that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should ensure that it strictly observes the airport operational hours as published in the relevant Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and not permit extensions beyond the airport limitations.

    He said the investigation thus far reveals that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should ensure that Flints Aero Services Limited operates within the limits of the approval given to it, under Section 18.2.4.3 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015.

    He said: ” Flints Aero Services Limited should ensure that its flight crew have sufficient experience in night-time flight operations.

     “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should ensure that the overgrown grass verge on either side of runway 04/22 is immediately cleared.”

    The report reads: ” The flight departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (DNAA), Abuja for Ibadan Airport (DNIB), Oyo state, as a charter flight on an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan. On board were 10 persons, including two cockpit crew and one cabin crew, with fuel endurance of three hours.

    “The flight crew were licensed and qualified to conduct the flight and the Captain had 49 night flying hours only. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and was programmed for an RNAV approach using the autopilot, which was cleared by the ATC.

    “The aircraft touched down in the grass verge on the extended centreline of the runway, about 220 m from the threshold and veered progressively right of centreline runway 22 on entering the paved area until a point 156 meters from the runway threshold, crossed the right runway shoulder and entered the grass verge.

    ” There was no evidence of braking action from the tyre tracks on the runway.

    Post-incident inspection of the aircraft confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, the landing gear, and the flaps.

    “The passengers disembarked without any injury while the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered in good condition and recordings were intact after the occurrence.

    ” Flints Aero Services Limited was issued with a Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF). The PNCF issued to Flint Aero Services Limited stipulates that the aircraft shall not be used for carriage of passenger(s), cargo, or mail for hire or reward.’

    On the serious incident at Port Harcourt Airport, the NSIB report reads:” The serious incident involved a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BXR owned and operated by FLYFORVALUE Aviation Limited at Port Harcourt Intl. Airport, Rivers State on 14th November 2023 is the second report released by the Bureau.

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    “The flight was a scheduled flight from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos (DNMM) to Port Harcourt Intl. Airport, Rivers State (DNPO) on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan. On board were 68 persons inclusive of 5 crew; two cockpit, and three cabin crew with fuel endurance of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

    “While on the ground in Lagos, the flight crew received weather information for Port Harcourt reporting Visibility at 1500 meters, reducing to 600 meters in thunderstorms and rain. The decision was made to wait on the ground in Lagos with passengers onboard until conditions became more suitable.

    “At 14:15 h, FVJ0226 departed Lagos. The Pilot was the Pilot Flying (PF) while the co-pilot was the Pilot Monitoring (PM). The crew reported that take-off, climb, cruise, descent, and approach phases were uneventful.

    “During approach at about six NM to the station, the aircraft encountered light rain, which dissipated before reaching the final approach fix. Wipers were switched on. The crew discussed the weather and agreed that there was no threat to a safe operation. Approach and Descent checklists were completed.

    ‘The initial findings of the flight indicated that the flight crew were licensed and qualified to conduct the flight and the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.

    “After touchdown, the Pilot Monitoring called out 90 kt during landing roll while the Pilot Flying called for After Landing checklist and flaps retraction.

    : The aircraft continued its roll till it veered off the runway into the grass verge adjacent to Link A5. The ATC activated the crash alarm. Passengers disembarked without any injury

    The CVR and FDR were recovered in good condition and recordings were intact after the occurrence.

    “Preliminary reports are not the final reports as they only contain details of the initial facts, discussions, and findings surrounding the occurrences; which include information gathered from witness statements, flight recorders, Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) Data, Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) data, and preliminary inspection of the accident sites and the wreckages.

    “Therefore, investigations on these accidents are still ongoing, and final reports will be released at the conclusions of the respective investigations.’

  • ECOWAS court orders release of deposed Niger president

    ECOWAS court orders release of deposed Niger president

    The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday ordered the immediate release of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s president who has been held captive since the coup that overthrew him on July 26, and that of his family.

    The Court “orders the defendant (the military authorities in Niamey, editor’s note) to release all the applicants immediately and unconditionally”, said the judge, who deliberated in Abuja.

    “The defendant has violated their right not to be arbitrarily detained”, he declared.

     The Court also asked that Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated in his position.

    “It is Mohamed Bazoum who represents the State of Niger”, he “remains President of the Republic”, the judge assured.

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     “There are constitutional rights that have been violated”, as well as “political rights”, he said.

     Mohamed Bazoum has been sequestered in his presidential residence with his wife Haziza and their son Salem, since he was overthrown by a coup d’état on July 26.

    In mid-September, the deposed president appealed to the ECOWAS Court of Justice for his release and the restoration of constitutional order in the country.

    The application filed by his lawyers cited the “arbitrary arrest” and “violation of the freedom of movement” of Mr. Bazoum, his wife, and their son.

    Bazoum has been held in detention since a July 26 coup.

  • CBN advises banks to improve product quality for customer retention

    CBN advises banks to improve product quality for customer retention

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised banks to improve the quality of their products and services to attract more people into the financial system.

    CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this at the release of the 2023 EFInA Access to Finance (A2F) Survey results in Lagos.

    He said: “As an ecosystem, we must redouble our efforts to develop innovative solutions to enable inclusion and be intentional about how we do it. For instance, the access points effective for included populations might not be suitable for those currently excluded. The products and services that we have developed to get us this far will need refinement to ensure that they are fit for purpose for the next phase of this journey.”

    According to him, the Nigerian financial system has evolved with significant improvements in size and depth, especially in the areas of market development, products, instruments, and payment infrastructure, among other things, thus, reinforcing the need for us as regulators and stakeholders to constantly keep pace with these emerging developments in a sustainable manner.

    Cardoso, who was represented by, CBN Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, Chibuike Nwagerue, lauded all financial inclusion stakeholders for the efforts made and the progress achieved.

    “However, to achieve the target of 95 percent financial inclusion, we must all move from collaboration to concrete commitment. To that effect, I call on all Financial Inclusion implementation agencies to set up specific functions or units dedicated to financial inclusion in their various organizations. This we believe, will provide the necessary ownership and commitment required to achieve our collective goal,” he said.

    Cardoso, who spoke on the theme: Building a More Inclusive and Sustainable Economy: The Role of Financial Inclusion” said financial inclusion is a key developmental objective and a global initiative recognized by several countries worldwide.

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    “To buttress the importance of Financial Inclusion to National development, over 68 countries have developed and are currently implementing a National Financial Inclusion Strategy. At its core, financial inclusion provides the opportunity for equitable distribution of financial resources to support economic growth. It also contributes to the attainment of the Central Bank’s goals of monetary policy and price stability. An inclusive financial system that allows broad access to a wide range of formal financial services is essential for better transmission of monetary policy and in the attainment of its objectives,” he said. The report shows the Northern Nigeria has the least access to financial services.

    The report disclosed that exclusion from financial services continues to be most severe in Northern Nigeria, at 38 percent in the North East and 47 percent in the North West compared to only five percent in the South West and 10 percent in the South-South.

    The A2F survey is Nigeria’s primary source of financial inclusion data and is designed to assess access to and use of financial services for the adult (18+) Nigerian population. The methodology for the 2023 survey has been updated to reflect changing population dynamics, and 2018 and 2020 data have also been updated using the same methodology to enable comparison.

    The 2023 results show that 26 percent of Nigerians are financially excluded, down from 32 percent in 2020, demonstrating clear progress towards the Nigeria Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 3.0) recommended target to reduce levels of financial exclusion in Nigeria to 25 percent by 2024.

    The report said usage of broader financial services remains limited demonstrating the urgent need to focus on the quality and impact of inclusion. While credit use doubled to six percent, pension and insurance use remained at eight percent and three percent respectively, well below 2024 target levels.  

    Commenting on the results of the Survey, EFiNA Chair Dr. Agnes Martins said: “We are seeing encouraging progress towards the NFIS 3.0 recommended goal to reduce exclusion to 25 percent by 2024, and we must acknowledge all the good work that has gone into making this happen. However, we also have to be clear that 26 per cent exclusion means that 28.8 million adult Nigerians continue to be completely excluded from the financial system.