The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NAMA sets up air navigation planning unit

    By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

    Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has created a National Air Navigation Planning unit, vested with the mandate to oversee the domestication and replication of ICAO global and regional plans for the enhancement of air navigation in the country.

     

    The new arrangements is in a bid to facilitate the development and implementation of a National Air Navigation Plan, National Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) Plan, National Air Traffic Management Plan as well as other International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) new concepts .

     

    This is just as the agency recently concluded a one-week training for 20 critical personnel to run the newly created unit. The training which held at the headquarters of the agency in Lagos bordered on areas such as Global Air Navigation Plan and its priorities, Global Aviation Safety Plan, Global Aviation Security Plan, National Air Navigation Plan and the National Aviation System Block Upgrade Implementation Plan. Specifically, the training focused on ASBU Block 18 Modules some of which include Airport Collaborative Decision Making; Performance Based Navigation with Vertical Guidance; Continuous Descent Operations and Continuous Climb Operations. Others are Surface Movement Radar and Ground Control; Arrival and Departure Management Systems; Digital Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), System Wide Information Management, Flight Information Collaborative Environment, as well as the strategic objectives of the different modules, their applicability and cost benefit analysis.

    Rationalizing the training for the new unit, NAMA Director of Operations, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok who was a facilitator at the training said the job ahead of the team is “both strategic and critical as they would be researching to define future requirements of NAMA and airspace user requirements, in order to enhance airspace capacity, air traffic management capacity, efficiency and economy and safety of flight operations. If we must encourage traffic growth into our airspace, then we must develop strategic growth plans, be sensitive to airline equipment and their user requirements. We need not reinvent the wheel as ICAO has developed adequate strategies for the enhancement of capacity, safety, security, efficiency, etc. We must therefore domesticate these global plans into national plans for implementation in accordance with global, regional or national timelines and priorities,” Pwajok said.

    Read Also: NAMA requires N50 billion to fix, update airspace facilities

    He noted that the team will be required to work towards ensuring the effective implementation of the three major global plans of ICAO which are Global Air Navigation Plan, Global Aviation Safety Plan and Global Aviation Security Plan. According to him, “ICAO is drawing global attention to emerging challenges such as cyber threats or cyber security, therefore we must develop a security plan for our Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) facilities. If these systems are hacked, safety and security could be compromised. Thus, the air navigation planning team will work in collaboration with other agencies as the implementation of some of these ICAO concepts requires collaboration with sister agencies, the users, the military, NCAA, etc.”

    “The team will equally interrelate with some ICAO structures such as the Air Navigation Bureau (ANB), Technical Cooperation Bureau (TCB) and Air Transport Bureau (ATB), Regional Aviation Safety Group (RASG) and the AFI Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APIRG), the decision, resolution and conclusions of which impact on our services. We need a team that understands the workings of these ICAO bodies as they are the technical works of ICAO that affect us directly. Finally, the team will be expected to strategize and ensure active participation in ICAO activities, meetings, and workshops, thereby ensuring that NAMA becomes a key player in the affairs of the international body at the regional and global level,” he said.

  • Two suspected armed robbers burnt to death

    By Elo Edremoda, Warri

    Two armed robbery suspects were burnt to death on Sunday afternoon near Ovwian Secondary School Ovwian in Udu council area of Delta state.

    The victims had allegedly robbed an unidentified woman of her mobile phone and an unspecified sum of money along the the route to the school.

    It was learnt that the incident occurred around 1pm on Sunday.

    The Nation gathered that the scream of the woman attracted people in the area, who swiftly gave the hoodlums a hot chase.

    On capturing them, the irate mob beat up the duo and set them ablaze .

    Read Also: Three suspected kidnappers burnt to death in Abuja

    A witness, who gave his name simply as Jacob, disclosed that the suspected thieves attacked the woman, took her handset and some cash and fled.

    ”It was her scream that alerted the mob. Road users and motorcyclists who came around then joined the angry mob to run after the thieves until they caught, beat them seriously and then set them ablaze.”

    A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: ”Though it is sad the way they killed the thieves but let it serve as a lesson to others who have the mind of robbing people of their phones and other criminal related activities”.

    The Delta State Police Command confirmed the report.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeleke Adeyinka said: ”it is true. It has been confirmed that two persons were burnt to death yesterday.”

  • Benin Enterprise Park: Obaseki seals $200m investment for textile industry

    In furtherance to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) concerted efforts to revive Nigeria’s ailing Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sub-sector, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has secured a $200m investment for a cotton-weaving and spinning industry at the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park, in Sapele road axis of Benin City.

    Governor Obaseki, who said this during the maiden convocation ceremony of the Edo University Iyamho, said the CBN has been instrumental to the economic growth being recorded in the state, especially in the areas of industrialisation and agriculture.

    The governor said a $200 million deal has been struck with a reputable, world-renowned textile company to establish a cotton-weaving and spinning industry at the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park, where construction is expected to begin next year.

    Obaseki said the initiative was in line with the CBN’s plans to revamp the textile industry in the country with a view to reducing importation of textile.

    Read Also: Alaghodaro 2019: SMEs, artists, others upbeat ahead of Edo Trade Fair

    Noting that the state government was promoting investment and real growth in the agricultural sector so as to get people out of poverty, he said the CBN’s N5bn Commercial Agriculture Credit scheme in the state has led to employment of about 5,000 people and cultivation of 5,000 hectares.

    He, however, advised that the CBN’s monetary policies be followed up with robust fiscal policies, especially infrastructural development to ease the movement of locally produced goods and services.

    He commended the CBN for having a specialized window to support the entertainment and tourism industry, adding that Edo state is solidly behind the apex bank’s policies.

    The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said that the apex bank’s unconventional monetary policies have yielded positive results, helping to stabilize the Nigerian economy.

    According to Emefiele, “the favourable outcomes and strengthening outlook of the Nigerian economy is traceable to the timeous adoption of unconventional monetary policy tools. The CBN has been able to reduce inflation, build our forex reserves and maintain forex market stability and foster real growth.

    “Nonetheless, challenges still remain. The pace of population growth at about 2.6 per cent still outstrips real growth rate while inflation is outside our tolerance band.

    “Unemployment rate and incidence of poverty remain at unacceptable levels. Our economy still faces headwinds from expected declines in global growth and its resulting impact on oil prices and capital flows to emerging market countries.”

  • The truth about Ruth David by stakeholders

    By Morakinyo Abodunrin and Andrew Abbah

    Pilloried for allegedly orchestrating the exit of Swede coach Thomas Dennerby which invariably led to the subsequent elimination of the Super Falcons from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Football Tournament (OFT), the Head of NFF Women’s Football Department Ruth David has been in the eyes of the storm for a while.

    But for those familiar with the workings of Nigerian football, David remains one of the best things to have happened to the development of the women’s game with her puritanical devotion to duty.

    Erstwhile President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Sani Lulu described David in glowing terms, adding that she was one of the most committed and dedicated staffers he worked with during his days in the Glass House.

    Dissecting Super Falcons ouster from Tokyo 2020, Lulu said anybody attributing the team’s failure to David must have a rethink because she is a member of staff who takes order from the administrative heads of the federation.

    “In the first place, why should anybody blame her (Ruth) for Super Falcons’ failure?” Lulu asked rhetorically. “Was she the coach? There is a technical department whose duty is to monitor the progress of the national teams and advise accordingly.

    “Her (Ruth) duty is administrative not technical even at administrative levels she has bosses. If there would be blame, it should go to the board and the management not the staff.

    “I was shocked when I read barrel of criticisms and the call for her removal when she is not the coach of the team,” note the former FCT Director of Sports under whose tenure David first served as Super Falcons Team Secretary en route to her promotion as Head of NFF Women’s Football Department.

    In her capacity, David has worked with stakeholders in women’s football and as far as Nigerian football is concerned, they don’t come bigger than former member of the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and immediate-past Chairperson of NFF’s Women Football Development Committee, Ayo Omidiran.

    Read Also: Rohr owed only September salary — NFF

    She said: “I worked with Ruth since she was a young youth corps’ member and witnessed her rise to the head of NFF women’s football department. She’s a pleasant person to work with and I never quarrelled with her even once on anything.

    “She took her job very seriously and she tried her best within available resources to get things done. She doesn’t have the power attributed to her. She only acts on instructions of her superior officials which is the normal bureaucracy of civil service.”

    The former House of representative member was even more forthcoming when further pressed on allegation that Ruth was in the habit of doctoring team selection.

    “Any proof? I was very close to coach Dennerby and he never reported Ruth to me. Whoever he told that he (Dennerby) left because of Ruth should show proof. I don’t know the motive (behind the allegation against Ruth) but then, God knows and He will judge each person accordingly,” surmised Omidiran.

    Meanwhile, a Super Falcons’ forward who pleaded for anonymity has described David as the team’s leader and number one supporter, adding that her case was like a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

    “Ruth? She’s our leader and like a mother to all of us,” bellowed the China-based striker. “I don’t have personal relationship with her though but I see her as our leader; she’s the one giving us our bonuses.

    “Of course, she doesn’t tolerate nonsense but she’s nice to me. But i don’t know about others.”
    Though she rose through the ranks after the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), David is one of the most trained staffers currently working at the NFF.

    She is graduate of FIFA’s Female Leadership Development Programme and in 2017, she was invited to the UEFA Women European Championship in Amsterdam, The Netherlands by FIFA as well as Russia 2018 FIFA Cup.

    David was part of the 35 women football administrators worldwide selected for the FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme, and attended modules at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland.

  • Alaghodaro 2019: SMEs, artists, others upbeat ahead of Edo Trade Fair

    With the Alaghodaro 2019 summit set to coincide with the Edo Trade Fair 2019, operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), light manufacturers and artists in the state are gearing up for an eventful lineup of activities, slated for the two events to make brisk business.

    A cross-section of SME operators, who spoke to journalists, said the Alaghodaro Summit and the Edo Trade Fair present entrepreneurs and traders an opportunity to showcase their product to a wider audience, expressing appreciation to the state government for opening up the business space in the state.

    President of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), Dr. Mrs. Helen Atekha-Odemwingie, said SMEs in the state have reached out to the chamber with enquiries on how they can partake in the trade fair, noting that the reception has been overwhelming.

    According to her, “We worked hard to ensure that, in partnership with the state government, we revive the Edo Trade Fair. The fair is being held as part of activities lined up for Alaghodaro 2019, held to mark the governor’s third year anniversary. That is why the activities will run concurrently with the summit.”

    Read Also: Trade fair: UBA, LCCI plan big for SMEs

    She said the chamber has been inundated with enquiries by exhibitors and business owners, who want to participate in the Fair, noting, “The fair secretariat has been a beehive of activity as a lot of businesses have expressed interest in participating in the fair. We are making sure everything is set so we can host the crème of Nigeria’s business community at the fair.”

    Mr. Emmanuel Oboh, a businessman in Mission Road axis of Benin City, said the business community in the state is upbeat to witness the revival of the Edo Trade Fair, noting, “A lot of my colleagues are very much elated to learn that the Trade Fair is being revived. We appreciate BENCCIMA and the government for their effort.”

    A trader, Ms. Antonia Efe, said that the state government has done a lot to promote entrepreneurship in the state, adding that the fair would present an opportunity for businesses, in the state to form alliances and increase productivity.

  • MASSOB celebrates Ojukwu’s posthumous birthday

    Chris Oji, Enugu

    Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Monday celebrated post humously, the 86th birthday of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu with lamentation over the decay of infrastructures in Igboland.

    The group’s leader, Uchenna Madu in address on the occasion made a number of demands from lgbo leaders and stakeholders that would assuage the sorry state of the region.

    Said the MASSOB leader: “We demand that Igbo political, Religious, Economical, Traditional leaders must sit up now in advancement of Igbo political, economical, Traditional and Religious emancipation from Nigeria’s anti Igbo policies of subjections. Igboland have been abandoned by successive government of Nigeria to decay and rot. All the federal roads in Igboland and few infrastructures that promote social stability in Igboland have been abandoned, neglected, cursed to perish by Nigeria federal government.

    “Educational systems and operations in Igboland is the worst hit by Successive government of Nigeria even though Ndigbo have the most brilliant and best Students in Nigeria since introduction of WAEC, NECO, GCE, JAMB and NABTEB.

    “Primary and Secondary Education system in Arewaland and Yorubaland in Nigeria are free sponsored by Nigeria Federal government since after the Nigeria Biafra war but such academic and educational leverages are not extended or applied to Ndigbo.

    “Though Nigeria government have deliberately abandoned and neglected Igboland and Ndigbo to suffer, why must Igbo political, religious, traditional and economic leaders complement our oppressor’s deliberate and constant government policies against our people’s survivals in Nigeria?

    “Why should elective and self -acclaimed leaders in Igboland continue singing praises of our oppressors and political enemies? What happened to Second Niger bridge, Onitsha sea port, Aba dry port, Onitsha — Enugu expressway, Enugu –Port Harcourt expressway, Onitsha – Okigwe federal highway, Umuahia — Arochukwu – Ibibio – Ikot Ekpene – Aba federal highway, Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene – Uyo federal highway, Onitsha – Orlu – Mbano – Umuahia federal highway, Owerri – Mbaise – Umuahia federal highway, Onitsha – Adani – Nsukka federal road?

    “Erosion menaces have devastated Igboland with glaring dangers of collapsing; the dangerous erosion sites at Nkwoagu Amuda Isuochi and Uturu Isuikwuato both in Abia State, Nanka Orumba North and Ozubulu Ekwusigo in Anambra state etc are all sign of utmost neglect. Even though many Igbo leaders are cowards who cannot defend the course of their people, MASSOB still have utmost regard for some Igbo leaders who eloquently defend and upholds the interest and cause of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

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    “Ndigbo have committed more harmful, dangerous and sacrilegious crimes against Igboland with their nonchalant attitude and selfishness against our ancestors.

    “ 75% of infrastructural, economic, academic, commercial, technological and agricultural developments in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Jos, Ibadan, Ilorin and other major cities outside Igboland are established by Ndigbo. Ndigbo have abandoned the legacies and visions of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Eze Igbo Gburugburu) even his image, personality and name are no longer respected or regarded in the political, economic, social, traditional and religious lives of Ndigbo. Ojukwu and our ancestors are not happy with Igbo leaders. ”

    MASSOB further demanded and mandated “that South-East Governors must start eulogizing the name, person and image of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in their respective States through establishing Mechanic Villages in Ojukwu’s name, which will create more Mechanical Innovations and inspirations among our teeming Youths whose future are at stake in Nigeria.

    “We also demand and mandate that these Igbo Governors must start naming prominent Institutions, Roads and Public Squares after the Name of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumejwu Ojukwu. We also hail Anambra Government for naming her State University after the Name of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.”

  • Just in: Driver lynched over attempted ritual in Anambra

    Nwanosike Onu, Awka & Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    A 23-year old man, simply identified as Samuel, has been lynched by angry mob for allegedly attempting to use a 4-year old girl for ritual in Awka, Anambra state.

    The deceased, from Benue State and a driver with a private school in the area, was said to have attempted to kill the little girl in her mother’s shop while she was away.

    The Nation gathered that the mother of the victim, a petty trader, had gone to buy food for the daughter when she was attacked by the suspect.

    Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Ginika Eze, a native of Alumona-Nsukka, Enugu state alleged that the deceased mission was to kill her daughter for ritual purposes.

    She said, “I brought my daughter to stay with me at the shop so at to keep eye on her since her school was on mid-term break.

    “When she complained she was hungry and wanted to eat beans with bread for lunch, I dashed to a nearby shop to buy the items.

    “It was not long my attention was drawn to my stall where my daughter was struggling with a man almost half necked.

    “He was kissing her and fondling her breast, while muttering, “I must drink your blood.”

    The 42-year-old woman said she had to raise alarm as the man was already kissing her all over her face and was about to defile her.

    “Luckily, some boys within the area ran to the scene of the incident and started dragging my daughter with him.

    “By then, blood was already dropping from her face as the man held her tight in his arms.”

    Read Also: I killed my father because he wanted to use me for ritual, says Suspect

    She however said she was able to retrieve daughter and rushed her to a hospital where she was receiving treatment.

    A witness, who preferred anonymity, claimed the deceased was shouting for blood and was about to suck the girl’s blood before he was lynched.

    He said the father of the deceased had already been contacted.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the deceased was probably under the influence of some hard drugs.

    He said, “He captured the 4-year-old girl and was molesting her sexually before he was arrested by some civilians who carried out jungle justice on him.

    “When the police arrived the scene, the boy, who was probably in his late 20s, was lying motionless on the ground while his assailants had dispersed.

    “He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Investigations are still on to ascertain what transpired and to arrest perpetrators of the crime.”

    Mohammed however said no arrests had been made, adding that the victim was stable and responding to treatment.

  • Everton’s Gomes to have surgery on broken ankle

    Agency Reporter

    Everton midfielder Andre Gomes will have surgery on Monday after suffering a fracture-dislocation to his right ankle in their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, his club have said.

    The Portugal international sustained the injury in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday after landing off balance at speed following a tackle from Spurs forward Son Heung-min.

    Everton released a statement confirming Gomes would need surgery but did not set out a timeline for his return.

    Manager Marco Silva has backed the 26-year-old to make a full recovery.

    “We will give all support to Andre and his family,” Silva told reporters. “As a group we have to stay together.

    “He is seriously injured but I am 100% sure Andre will become stronger as a football player and as a man because he is a fantastic lad, a fantastic professional.”

    Read Also: Police to deploy 69,282 personnel for Kogi, Bayelsa governorship polls

    Son was shown a red card for his part in the incident and was in tears in the dressing room afterwards.

    On Monday, the 27-year-old was called up to the South Korea squad for two matches later this month and national team coach Paulo Bento said his international team mates would rally around him.

     

    “What happened in that match is really unfortunate,” Bento told Yonhap News Agency. “It doesn’t matter which country a player is from. You never want to see anyone get hurt that seriously, but it’s also part of the game.

    “Heung-min has to pick things up and move forward, and we’ll try to help him the best we can.”

    South Korea play Lebanon in a World Cup qualifier on Nov. 14 before facing Brazil in a friendly five days later in Abu Dhabi. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Senate summons Emefiele over differences in exchange rates for projects

    Sanni Onogu, Abuja

    The Senate Committee on Finance has summoned Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to explain the rationale behind the exchange rates it used for three key projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).

    The PIDF projects are being funded to the tune of billions by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), across the country.

    The amount for the PIDF projects was earmarked from the dollar denominated Sovereign Wealth Fund to partly fund the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja–Kano Expressway, East-West Road and the Mambilla Hydro-Electricity Project with the first three projects already funded to the tune of N163.8 billion.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Solomon Adeola, gave the summon during an interactive session with the Managing Director of NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji and his management team, according to statement by Kayode Odunaro, the media adviser to Senator Adeola.

    Orji had told the committee that the contracts for the projects were denominated in naira and CBN exchange rate for the disbursed fund was N325 to a dollar instead of the official rate of N305.

    Read Also: 2 million jobs coming as CBN plans N100b textile funding

    “This committee will like to see the contract documents for these projects and why the exchange rate for the dollar to naira was at N325 to a dollar instead of the official rate of N305 in a government to government transaction for these key infrastructure projects.

    “We are not indicting NSIA or conducting an investigation or probe of CBN but we like to know the reason why this different rate was used,” Senator Adeola stated while inviting Emefiele to appear together with NSIA on Monday.

    The Senator commended the NSIA for what it has done so far in terms of funding healthcare, education, infrastructure and investment in fertiliser production but urged for caution and more investment in diverse areas to grow the $1.5 billion Sovereign Wealth Fund, so that its contributors namely: the Federal Government, State Governments, Local Governments and FCT – to reap the benefits of its establishment.

    Senator Ayo Akinyelure (PDP, Ondo Central), while supporting the need for clarification from the CBN on the exchange rates of dollar to naira in these transactions, stated that NSIA may have been shortchanged in these transactions.

    He added that the rates may explain the seeming slow progress, delay and non-completion of these key projects as some aspects will be based on imported materials which are denominated in dollars purchased at higher Bureau De Change (BDC) rates.

    Orji stated that NSIA, since operations in third quarter of 2013 with seed money of $1billion, has invested in critical sectors like healthcare, presidential fertilizer initiative, education, real estate, international financial instruments and in 2018 the Federal Government injected $650 million for the PIDF from which N163.8billion has so far been disbursed for the three projects from approved N672.4billion earmarked.

  • Kogi 2019: We’ll resist PDP rigging machine – Adeyemi

    By James Azania, Lokoja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it will resist the rigging plans of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 state governorship election.

    The Director General of the APC campaign council, Senator Smart Adeyemi, stated this in Ankpa, on Sunday during the continuation of the APC governorship campaign rally.

    Adeyemi said the rejection of Wada/Aro candidacy by its party chieftains has left them with only an option of rigging.

    He urged the PDP governors and businessmen not to waste their resources on the opposition.

    According to him: “Former governor Ibrahim Idris has showed us that the PDP candidate is not acceptable or sellable. By chasing out the party candidate who went with Oyo State governor to beg at his residence in Abuja, shows clearly there is no hope for the opposition PDP.

    “The opposition too are now aware that they have lost it. The only option they are thinking of is to cause mayhem during the election and rig.

    “But, we will not allow that. They have done it in the past. Rigging is in their DNA. But, we will vigorously resist any attempt to rig the November 16 governorship election.

    “You cannot expect youths, especially those serving in various capacities in this government, to fold their hands and allow electoral malpractice.

    Read Also: Kogi 2019: Police arrest PDP security chief, six others over illegal arms

    “Ninety percent of youths in the state have been empowered by the present administration with some of them unemployed before but are presently meaningfully engaged.

    “The youths are familiar with the terrain in the state and their cause is helped by the general acceptance of our candidate, Governor Yahaya Bello.

    “Already, their is confusion and in-fighting within the PDP over the N100 million released to them by a South West governor for their flag off campaign. They are financially incapacitated.

    “I advised other PDP governors and businessmen not to waste their resources on the PDP candidate; nothing good can come out of that venture.

    “We have already subsumed the PDP and will shall consume them soon without violence.”

    He said that Bello’s disposition towards bridging the gap of ethnic divides, youths inclusiveness and spread of projects across the three senatorial zones of the state has earned him his reelection.