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Tag: Benin Airport

  • APC demands prosecution of murderers of policeman at Benin Airport

    APC demands prosecution of murderers of policeman at Benin Airport

    The Director of Media of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Edo State for the September 21 governorship election, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has called for the prosecution of the murderers of police Inspector Onuh Akoh, who was shot dead on July 18, 2024, at the exit gate of Benin Airport, to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded people.

    Afegbua said the late Akoh was attached to Okpebholo, who arrived from Abuja, in company with the reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. He said: “We have repeatedly cautioned those who wield enormous powers, after they climbed unto the podium of power, to always have the terminal date of this same power in mind, that time when their tenure will be in its twilight and all about it will attenuate, possibly leaving them with fear of a tenuous future simply because of their wrong tack.

    The APC campaign council director also accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of desperation to foist his godson, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, on the Edo people as his successor. He pleaded with the relevant security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Army to act patriotically in the interest of democracy, and support and foster a free, fair and credible election in the state.

  • Airport upgrade: Hope rises for Edo agro-business

    In a few months’ time, exporters of agricultural products in Edo State and its environs would not need to bother about delays in travelling to Lagos for the purpose of taking their products to any part of the world.

    They would export their agro-products right from the Bénin Airport. Besides, businessmen, politicians and individuals can now land at the Bénin Airport any time of the day. This is because the airport has commenced night operations.

    In 2013, during the inauguration of the remodeled Bénin Airport, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole requested the then Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah to ensure that the Airport operates in a 24-hour basis.

    Oshiomhole had argued that the 24-hour operation for the airport would enable individuals, especially himself, meet emergency engagement in Abuja. He regretted that the Benin Airport being one of the oldest in the country remained the way it was despite the increase in traffic.

    Oshiomhole’s successor, Godwin Obaseki has, however, seen to the realisation of his dream. Facilities in the 63-year-old Bénin Airport has been upgraded for it to carry out night operations. The equipment installed for the night operations were inaugurated last week by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    The equipment inaugurated at the Airport included thunder and lightning system, Secure Aviation Data Information System (SADIS); Enhanced Simple Approach Lightening System, CAT ll and Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).

    Speaking at the inauguration, Senator Sirika said Edo people would gain a lot from the improved operational capability of the Bénin Airport because of the ability to come and go out of Bénin by air in reduced weather condition even when the pilot can barely see anything.

    Senator Sirika further explained that the equipment are both ground-based and satellite-based. He said the satellite-based equipment would begin work if the ground-based ones failed.

    He said: “The importance of the Benin culture and history is such that we cannot ignore. We will continue to upgrade facilities to meet its peers in other cities. The operational capacity of the Benin-City Airport has tremendously improved as we can now guarantee safe landing in reduced visibility and in bad weather condition. Aircraft can now land in Benin Airport at night. No more closure of the Airport by 6:00 p.m.

    “When the country was divided into regions, the centrality of Benin is very important. Benin is the cradle of history, tradition and culture. There is connection between aviation, culture, commerce and others. We are intertwined and we hold Benin in high esteem. We will continue to promote this city, to enhance this city and make people come here. The more people come to Benin, the better for commerce.

    “You have the Instrument Landing System which allows pilots to land in reduced weather. It is no longer pleasure to say from 6:00 p.m., you cannot land in Benin. We will continue to do more for Benin. We will site the agro-allied terminal at the Benin Airport. We are bringing cargo terminal for agro export. People involved in export of perishable items can send their goods to Europe very quickly. Obaseki has promised to participate in putting the structure for the facility in place.

    “Airplane owners must improve their aircraft. They have to train their pilots. If their pilots are not trained, they cannot come here.”

    On his part, an elated Governor Obaseki said the Bénin Airport could now compete with its peers across the world with the installation of the equipment and commencement of night landing facilities. He noted that people would have no excuse not to come to Bénin again whether at night on the excuses of bad weather.

    He said, “Edo is a hub. We are a transportation hub. Benin Airport is one of the top five airports in Nigeria in terms of passenger traffic. We do not want to wait for the Federal Government alone to provide all that are needed.. So, we have to put in our resources to support them to ensure that they are attracted to make investment in our airport. With the night landing facility put in place, we shall now persuade airlines to make night stops in Benin. That way, they bring traffic into our state.

    “We are inaugurating an array of things at the Airport. The benefits of all these facilities are limitless. What the cargo terminal means is that we can export our produce from here to all over the world.

    “For you to have economic growth, you must have infrastructure. People must be able to come in and go out. Money must come in and leave freely. This air transportation infrastructure will just complement our other efforts in area of tourism, agriculture, infrastructure even education. What it means is that there will be no excuse. It will help business once people know they can get in and out of Benin at any time.

    “We are not just unveiling a new technology for our airport; we are celebrating a very unique privilege and honour for a state to collaborate very closely with the Federal Government agency. The Benin Airport built in 1956 is being upgraded so that it can be ranked as an airport that could match any airport in the world by equipping it with the instrument every airport should have.

  • ‘Benin Airport to commence full night-time flight operations soon’

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that the Benin Airport will soon commence full night-time flight operations.

    Obaseki said facilities that will enable aircraft to land at night are being received in batches.

    He gave the assurance while addressing journalists at the Benin Airport, after the departure of Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo who  was in Edo State to launch the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

    According to the governor, the landing facilities at the Benin Airport were already functioning which enabled the Vice President to depart Benin City through the Airport few minutes to 7pm on Thursday.

    “We are expecting more night landing equipment to be installed at the Benin Airport especially the lights.

    “The contractor has assured us that the lights will arrive before the end of this month, February. We will launch it and have our inaugural night flight to Benin City,” he said.

    On the delayed flag-off of the Benin-Abraka Road reconstruction, Obaseki said he has spoken with the new Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and has secured his understanding for the road construction to go ahead if it becomes impossible to get the Vice President to flag it off.

    “I have spoken with the new Managing Director of NDDC, we may just go ahead to flag it off if we cannot get it on the Vice President’s schedule.”

    The Benin-Abraka Road is a 106km Road project which would connect several agrarian communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. (more…)

  • NAMA inuagurates landing equipment

    THE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)  has inaugurated the Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Benin Airport in the Edo State capital.

    Speaking at a meeting with workers at the agency’s headquarters annex in Ikeja,  Lagos, NAMA’s Managing Director Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said this was in fulfilment of a   pledge by the agency to upgrade navigational infrastructure in strategic airports across the country to boost socio-economic activities in such areas.

    Akinkuotu announced that the agency has equally inaugurated the ILS at Port Harcourt Airport, damaged by an aircraft last year. He said that the flight inauguration, handled by Omni-Blue Aviation Limited indicated that the new landing equipment were operating at optimal capacity.

    He hinted that installation of CAT II ILS would start soon at Maiduguri, Jos and Minna airports.

    Capt. Akinkuotu informed the workers that in line with management’s objective to maintain a healthy and productive workforce, the agency had concluded plans to enroll NAMA into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the next two months.

    He assured them that the contentious issue of review of Condition of Service (COS) was being treated and would soon be concluded by the government.

    The NAMA boss expressed gratitude to management and workkers of the agency for their  support and cooperation in tha past two years.

  • NAMA installs ILS at Benin airport

    As part of ongoing bid to upgrade infrastructure in the aviation sector, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has installed Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Benin Airport.

    A statement issued by NAMA Spokesperson, Mr Khalid Emele on Tuesday in Lagos said the Managing Director of the agency, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu made the announcement while addressing members of staff.

    Akinkuotu said installation of the ILS was in line with an earlier pledge by the agency to upgrade navigational infrastructure in strategic airports across the country in a bid to boost socio-economic activities in such areas.

    He also said that the agency had replaced the ILS which was damaged by an aircraft in 2018 at the Port Harcourt airport.

    According to him, the flight commissioning handled by Omni-Blue Aviation ltd indicated that the newly installed landing aids are operating at optimal capacity.

    He assured that installation of CAT II ILS would commence at Maiduguri, Jos and Minna airports soon.

    On staff welfare, Akinkuotu said that the management said the agency had concluded plans to enroll NAMA staff in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure a healthy and productive workforce,.

    He assured the staff that the contentious issue of review of Condition of Service (COS) was being handled and would soon be concluded by government.

    The NAMA boss expressed gratitude to management and staff of the agency for the support and cooperation accorded him since he assumed office two years ago.

    He noted that whatever successes his administration had recorded could not have been without the individual and collective effort of NAMA workers.

    While cautioning staff to desist from frivolous expenses, he enjoined them to put in more effort to move NAMA to the next level, adding that the agency would honour deserving members of staff with special awards.

  • Benin Airport: Obaseki praises NAMA 

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has praised the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for completing the first phase of the night landing facility at the Benin Airport.

    The governor spoke at the 5th Annual General Meeting/Conference of National Air Traffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN).

    The meeting, held in Benin City, Edo State, has the theme: “The Impact of AMHS/ATN on National Airspace Administration and Air Navigation Plan,” .

    He said: “I want to thank NAMA for the work it has done with the state government at the Benin Airport. NAMA has worked closely with us, which has enabled us to complete the first phase to ensure we have night landing facility at the Benin Airport. We express our gratitude for its support.”

    He urged NACAN to improve air transportation record to achieve safety, regularity, efficiency and operations of air navigation in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO’s) guidelines.

    The governor said NACAN should “avail themselves with regular training to come up with best practice to be at par with what is happening in other parts of the world. I expect that the theme of the conference will drive home this point.”

    Obaseki called on participants to further examine the impact of  technology to come up with solutions to enhance their operations and improve the industry.

    He averred that one per cent of the 200 million population of Nigeria travel by air, creating a huge aviation market and making it the largest, with high traffic in Africa.

    President of NACAN Nkambo George hailed the governor for the support, hospitality and achievements.

    George noted that the theme was chosen to create awareness about new technologies, which seek to replace the aging Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTA).

    “This conference also provides opportunity to engage with policy makers, experts and professionals in the field so that efforts made by NAMA in deploying new technology can better be appreciated,” he said.

  • Arik Air aircraft aborts take-off at Benin Airport

    An Arik Air aircraft operating from Benin Airport to Lagos Airport on Tuesday aborted take-off when the Pilot-in-Command observed an abnormality during the process.

    The Communication Manager of Arik Air, Mr Ola Adebanji, confirmed the incident in Lagos.

    Read Also:Smoke in Arik Air plane forces pilot to declare emergency on Accra-bound flight

    Adebanji explained that the aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900, was brought under control on the runway in the process with no damage to the aircraft and no injury was sustained to the passengers on board.

    “After the situation was brought under control, in which there was no casualty to the passengers, an alternative aircraft was immediately provided to fly the passengers to Lagos.

    “The aircraft has since been ferried to Lagos for appropriate checks and observation and maintenance,” he said.

    Adebanji said the airline apologised to its passengers for the inconveniences that occurred during the incident.

    He restated the airline’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards.

     

  • Edo agog as participants arrive Benin for Okpekpe Road Race

    …Obaseki restates commitment to successful outing

     

    With a few hours to the commencement of the 2018 edition of Okpekpe Road Race scheduled for Saturday, May 12, enthusiasm is at a fever pitch in Edo State, host of the first 10-kilometer International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label road race in Nigeria.

    Social and economic activities have witnessed positive spike from the Benin Airport, through the ancient city and to the communities hosting the event,  as  participants, including Elite and local athletes, sports journalists, sponsors, supporters of the event and dealers in souvenirs arrive the state for the event.

    Investigation showed that hotels in Benin City are fully booked and late comers are resorting to smaller lodging facilities in the city while operators of outdoor bars, taxis, guest houses and relaxation spots are counting their gains.

    The Okpekpe international 10km road race, currently in its sixth year, is the only road race recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in Nigeria.

    The number of endorsements by corporate organisations has raised the profile of the event, the latest being the Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday restated his administration’s commitment to a successful race and assured participants of adequate security.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor’s assurance is coming after he had earlier encouraged Edo indigenes and other Nigerians to register and compete in the 10km Road Race because of the inherent benefit of building an army of home-grown long-distance runners to represent the country in similar competitions within the country and overseas.

    Obaseki noted that much as the state is happy to play host to athletes from East African countries and other parts of the world, the competition also presents an opportunity for Edo indigenes to prove their mettle and strive to clinch the top prize.

    “As Nigerians, we are known to never give in easily in contests. So, this competition presents another opportunity for us to put up a challenge and compete to win the top prizes,” the governor said.

    According to him, “Edo State is blessed with planes and conditions that can groom people for long-distance races. Highlands such as Somorika Hills can groom athletes to favourably compete in this competition. It even presents a good training ground for many others who would like to participate.

    He added, “The Okpekpe road race is one of our emerging sports and tourism assets and we need to tap from this unique opportunity to build grassroots sports and project ourselves as a welcoming and sports-loving people.”

    Describing the backing of Nigerian Breweries as a big boost, spokesman for the race, Dare Esan was quoted as saying that the company is “coming in as a Friend of the Race. It is a massive boost for the image of the race to have a pioneer brewing company support an event in which history will be made on May 12, 2018.”

     

     

  • Edo Airport Invasion: Urhoghide has questions to answer

    A lot has been written and said about the Benin Airport incident of Friday, April 27, 2018, involving  Senator Mathew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly; youths of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and  those of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Most of the commentaries have been largely partisan, despite the true account of the event that took place at the airport as presented by the Edo State Government.

    I will at this juncture ask the difficult questions which many commentators have refused or failed to ask:

    Why did Senator Mathew Urhoghide commission thugs and militants in his party, the PDP, to receive him at the airport?

    Or put differently, what were Edo PDP thugs and assassins doing at the Benin Airport? What was the grand occasion? Was that the first time that Senator Mathew Urhoghide would be arriving Benin City through the Airport?

    What more would have happened at the airport if Urhoghide’s plot was not aborted by the Edo State Commissioner of police and his men, who showed up at the airport?

    Only Senator Urhoghide, who planned the Benin Airport invasion, can answer these and other questions.

    For those who believe in speaking truth to power, the self-evident truth is that Senator Urhoghide’s plot to stage-manage a heroic welcome and cause mayhem at an airport facility, set the stage for all the events that transpired at the airport. The security agencies will also need to investigate the allegation that the PDP thugs were commissioned to assassinate the governor of Edo State.

    If the antecedent of the PDP is anything to go by, allegations of unsolved politically motivated killings are not new to the opposition party.

    Clearly, we need not labour too much to deduce that Senator Urhoghide was intent on causing commotion and mayhem in the state after his outing on the floor of the Senate where he moved a motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He evidently had commissioned his PDP thugs well ahead of his visit to Benin, to come to the airport, disrupt the airport security system, invade the facility amongst other sub-plots of his invasion script, which I am not privy to. Senator Urhoghide must stop playing the ostrich!

    The nation’s security agencies need to invite Senator Mathew Urhoghide for questioning.

    He should be interrogated to shed more light on what was to be the climax of the tragic script, if it was not disrupted by the police. Let us not forget that the Edo State governor arrived Benin City through the same airport while the ‘drama’ was unfolding, and his arrival actually doused the fire that Senator Urhoghide had lit.

    The PDP’s feeble attempt to drag the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, into Senator Urhoghide’s misfortune is ludicrous. It is on record that the governor has demonstrated his disdain for thuggery in politics.

    He has since his assumption of duty, as the governor of the state, sanitised Edo political space with his several reform programmes.

     

    Azebamwan is the Publicity Secretary, Edo State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC)

  • Edo gets tourism information desks at Benin Airport

    Edo gets tourism information desks at Benin Airport

    The Edo State Government has partnered with Viko Nigeria to open tourism information desks at the Benin Airport to market and promote the state’s tourism sites.

    The government would partner with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure night landing at the Benin Airport.

    The airport is one of those that operate visual flights in the country.

    Speaking at the opening of the desks at both the Arrival and Departure Wings of the airport yesterday, Governor Godwin Obaseki stated that the essence of opening the desks is for investors and visitors to know about the tourism potential of the state.

    The governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, explained that the idea behind the project is the commitment to make the state a 24-hour economy.

    He said: “As a state, we want to leverage on our potential to attract local and foreign investments. We are partnering  the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to make night landing possible at the airport to increase influx of passengers coming into the state for business and leisure.”

    On his part, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, said the information desks are a part of the arts and tourism roadmap for the development of the state.

    He stated that the idea was conceived by Obaseki as part of efforts to boost investments and employment opportunities in the state.