The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benin Airport

  • Obaseki to partner FG on Benin Airport expansion

    Obaseki to partner FG on Benin Airport expansion

    To expand and upgrade the Benin Airport for efficient service delivery and increase passenger traffic, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have expressed readiness to partner with the Edo State government to improve the facilities and safety at the airport.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma and Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu and the Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki decided to strengthen partnership to refurbish the airport after the trio inspected facilities at the Benin Airport on Wednesday.

    Governor Obaseki said his administration would work with FAAN and NAMA to develop a plan before the end of the year to ensure that the Airport space was expanded.

    He said the state government aims to effectively utilise assets and resources located within the state for the benefit of the people, which necessitated the inspection tour of the Benin Airport. This, he explained, would give government a better understanding of the opportunities for boosting economic activities in the state.

    “We have approached the Federal Authority to kindly come to our aid regarding the airport. The plan is to first improve the facilities in this airport and ensure that we have the right landing facilities.

    “This will enable the airport embark on 24 hours operation. With more airplanes coming in, we will see a lot more passenger traffic coming into our state,’’ the governor said.

    He added that the state has set machinery in motion to ensure that it recovers and returns parts of the airport’s land that have been encroached upon by residents, noting that occupants with genuine Certificate of Occupancy will be compensated.

    The MD of FAAN, Dunoma, acknowledged that it was the responsibility of the Federal Government to improve facilities at the Benin Airport, and said that assistance from the Edo State government was a welcome idea.

    He said that ‘’I want to thank the governor for coming to our aid and with his assistance we can do a lot more. We have inspected the facilities here and we will submit a report on what we need to do to improve the safety and facilities at this Airport,’’ he said.

    Capt. Akinkuotu of NAMA said joint effort was needed to ensure safety is maintained at the airport, adding that the agency would collaborate with the Edo State government to ensure passengers do not only feel safe, but have good reasons to fly to the Benin Airport.

    He said, “We can’t but thank the Governor Obaseki for coming out to show support. The country belongs to all of us. He has demonstrated great leadership, and by working together, we can move the state forward.”

  • Tears as Ogbemudia funeral begins

    Tears as Ogbemudia funeral begins

    There was anger among mourners who were at the Benin Airport to receive the body of former Governor of defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, who died of diabetes compilations in Lagos State.

    Some of the mourners complained about the absence of posters and banners of Dr. Ogbemudia at the airport and major streets of Benin City.

    Both Edo and Delta States which made up former Bendel State are collaborating to give late Ogbemudia a State burial.

    A daughter of Ogbemudia whose names could not be ascertained was heard complaining about the preparation to receive her father’s corpse and failure of the committee to provide banners and posters.

    A market woman said she felt sad that many residents in both Edo and Delta states did not turn up to pay late Ogbemudia respect owing to his achievements in both states.

    Governors of Edo and Delta State, Godwin Obaseki and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa led dignitaries to receive the body.

    Other dignitaries were Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Justin Okonoboh, Chief of Staff to Governor Okowa, Hon Festus Ovie-Agás, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, Deputy Speaker, Elisabeth Ativie amongst others.

    The Nigeria Airforce plane tagged 029 that conveyed the remains of Ogbemudia landed at the Benin Airport at about1:20pm.

    Some family members and military personnel accompanied the corpse from Lagos State.

    Market women sang dirge in tears and walked slowly behind the black ambulance that conveyed the corpse to the Airport gate.

    Children of late Ogbemudia led by the eldest son, Samuel Ogbemudia (Jnr) wore long faces as the corpse arrived.

    At the residence of Ogbemudia, the corpse was kept in a room away from public view and security men were placed at the doors to prevent anybody from going in.

    The youths of the community took to the street of Iheya displaying the portrait of late Samuel Ogbemudia.

    Amongst those who were at the residence to pay tribute were former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, the member representing Orhionmwon/Ohunmwonde federal constituency, Mr. Patrick Aisowieren, Dr. Samuel Imuekemhe, Chairman Local Government Service Commission and Elder Tes Soare.

    Odili said late Ogbemudia left an indelible footprint and his memories would stand the test of time.

    In his tribute he said, “You left indelible materials and human footprints. Your impact will last forever. You were a legend. You came at a trying time for the nation. You rose to the challenge and left an indelible foot print, materials and human. Your legacy will last forever. We are going to miss him. He inspired a lot of us, and by the special grace of God, the things he left will live on.

    “Leaders should emulate the style of general Ogbemudia.  He served the people wholeheartedly. He puts self behind, and the interest of the people above everything else. We really missed him, we did not know that it will happen now but in everything, we give glory to God.”

    Governor Obaseki in a chat with newsmen said, “We spent quite a bit of time in private and in public and he admonished me and assured me of his support.

    “I cannot forget the encouragement he gave to me. Without his open and clear endorsement, my campaign would have been much more difficult.”

    Governor Okowa in a brief chat with Journalists said late ‘Ogbemudia cannot die in the memories of Bendelites as his works are testimonies of his service to humanity.’

    “Today, a lot of structures stand in his name; he still lives through his works. We have lost an elder statesman for Delta and Edo States.

    Late Ogbemudia had written down details of how he wanted to be buried and among his wish were that his body should not be displayed for public view.

    He also said he should be buried within seven days of his death.

     

     

     

     

  • Buhari begins two-day visit to Edo

    Buhari begins two-day visit to Edo

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday arrived Benin airport to begin a two-day working visist to Edo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, who arrived at about 10;43a.m aboard Air Force flight 5N-FGW, was received by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    He inspected a guard of honour mounted by military personnel before he proceeded to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare N’gidigan II, on a courtesy visit.

    NAN reports that some of the diginatries at the airport included Chief John Oyegun, the APC National Chairman, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the state governor-elect, service commanders, lawmakers, and other party leaders.

     

  • Arik Air resumes flight services to Benin Airport

    Arik Air resumes flight services to Benin Airport

    Arik Air, on Thursday announced the resumption of its flights to Benin Airport with effect from Sept. 6.

    This followed the re-opening of the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The Airline Head, Public Affairs, Mr Ola Adebanji, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Benin Airport was temporarily closed by FAAN on June 20, to facilitate rehabilitation works on the runway.

    The closure was initially scheduled to last for 20 days but was further extended by the authority.

    The statement said the Arik Air would operate one flight each from both Lagos and Abuja into Benin on Sunday.

    It explained that it would thereafter revert to its normal schedule as from Monday, Sept. 7.

  • Benin Airport to reopen July 10

    The Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations of Benin Airport in Edo State, Mrs. Dan-Oshevire Michelle, has debunked speculations that the airport has been closed down.

    She said it would be reopened for commercial services on July 10.

    Mrs. Michelle addressed reporters yesterday in Benin on the state of the airport.

    She said: “The Benin Airport has not been totally closed down, as speculated by people. The airport is in perfect condition, just that there is a small break to allow maintenance work at the runway. It is the runway that needs to be up

    graded. That is where work is presently ongoing. The civil department of the national headquarters is here with the contractors. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, specifically on July 10, the runway will reopen to commercial flight.

    “In fact, let me state here that apart from commercial airlines, such as Aero Contractors and Arik Air, other private aircraft, such as choppers, can land and take off at the Benin Airport. It’s only commercial flights that have been temporarily shut down for this period of maintenance.”