The Nation Newspaper

Tag: grounded

  • Ikhana keeps Enyimba grounded

    Ikhana keeps Enyimba grounded

    Enyimba coach Kadiri Ikhana has called on his players to remain focused after going eight matches without defeat in the Nigerian Premier League.

    On Wednesday, The People’s Elephant overcame Kwara United 3-2 away from home, although they remain second in the standings behind Sunshine Stars, albeit on goal difference.

    Enyimba next come up against Abia Warriors this weekend, but Ikhana is determined to keep his squad grounded.

    “Honestly, I don’t think we need to focus on the fact that we have gone unbeaten in eight matches. The season is still a long way to the end but yes, it is good for our confidence levels,” Ikhana told SuperSport.

    “It is a big game and you know derbies are always difficult. So our focus is now on that game.”

  • Students cry out over ‘grounded’ van

    Students cry out over ‘grounded’ van

    Students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) are not happy over the condition of their union’s official vehicle. The vehicle has been abandoned for over two months by Students’ Union officials, reports UCHECHUKWU EKWUEME-DURU (400-Level Industrial Technology Education).

    That is the state of the official bus given to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) in Niger State? This is the question students are seeking an answer to from management.

    The condition of the 2000 model Toyota Sienna is generating ripples, following an allegation that it has been in bad shape since the school resumed last year.

    The bus, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, was donated to the union by Governor Aliyu Babangida Muazu three years ago, when the then union leaders had an accident with the 2002 Honda Civic official vehicle.

    Students were prompted to ask questions when the union officials could not use the bus for functions on campus. The bus, students alleged, may have been in bad shape because of improper maintenance.

    Some students claimed that the bus engine has been damaged by the carelessness of union leaders. Some alleged that the bus could not be repaired, adding that this may be why it was abandoned at the Students’ Union office.

    “The current state of this 12-seater bus is not only discouraging, but also annoying,” a Chemistry student said, adding: “The car has been parked and abandoned for two months.”

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the union building to assess the condition of the vehicle, our reporter found dents on it. A patch of engine oil spread under the vehicle. Also, there was dirt underneath the bus, indicating that it may have been grounded for long. The upholstery was also covered with dirt.

    Students criticised the union officials for poor maintenance, asking the SUG to repair the bus or face students’ wrath.

    A SUG official, Justice Nwaigwe, a 400-Level-Physics student, told CAMPUSLIFE why the bus was abandoned for so long. “We have been explaining to students why the bus is left in the condition it is. We feel the pain more than the rest of our colleagues. We know it does not speak well about the union, especially under our leadership, but we are trying to put things in place. Currently, we are making plans to get a new vehicle for the union. After this is done, we will then look into the condition of the Toyota Sienna bus to know if it can be repaired.”

    Students expressed their grievances on the state of the bus, accusing the union leadership of incompetence.

    Salim Maikudi, a 200-Level Water Resources and Aquaculture Technology student, said: “I don’t know the reason why that van has been parked there since January but no matter the reason, it is not justifiable. I will simply say that it doesn’t portray the union in good light.”

    Andrew Chinaza, a 300-Level Cyber Security Services student, bemoaned the development, saying: “I wonder how our SUG leaders feel when they walk pass that vehicle every day. It is bad to know that the vehicle has been in this poor state for over two months and students have not asked them to repair it. I hope our SUG officials would see reason in this and act on it immediately.”

  • Amaechi’s aircraft grounded for two hours

    Amaechi’s aircraft grounded for two hours

    •Pilot did not produce manifest, says Aviation Ministry

    •Tambuwal’s intervention resolves impasse

     

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State yesterday ran into a fresh storm with the federal authorities.

    The aircraft conveying the governor and his entourage was grounded for about two hours at the Akure Airport, Ondo State for allegedly violating aviation procedures for take-off.

    The development seems to have lent credence to a frosty relationship between the President and the governor even after he declared in Kano on Thursday that he was unaware of any rift between him and the President.

    The Ministry of Aviation said last night that the crew of Amaechi’s aircraft failed to produce the manifest of the passengers on board as required by the new safety measures it has put in place.

    The aircraft was originally scheduled to take off at 6 pm but was not cleared until 8 pm.

    A source familiar with the development said: “The governor and his aides were returning from the burial of the Ekiti State Deputy Governor , Mrs. Funmi Olayinka in Ado-Ekiti.

    “When we got to the airport at about 6 pm, we discovered that our plane was grounded. They said that NAMA (National Airspace Management Agency) said we did not get clearance before landing.

    “The crew explained to the governor that due process was complied with. We later got in touch with the NAMA Chief Executive who was incoherent and could not be of help.

    “He said the agency had nothing to do with the grounding of the aircraft and that we should get in touch with other aviation agencies.

    “While the drama was going on, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, who was at the airport, decided to intervene. Tambuwal said his aircraft would not take-off until the governor’s plane was cleared.

    “After two hours, we were eventually cleared for take-off from the airport. We left at about 8 pm.

    “It is sad that political matters are degenerating to this level.”

    The Special Adviser to the Minister of Aviation on Media, Mr. Joe Obi, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “The Rivers State aircraft was not grounded at the airport in Akure as being insinuated. What happened was not supposed to be an issue at all.

    “As part of new aviation regulations, any aircraft taking off is supposed to make its manifest available to the aviation authorities for the purpose of record keeping.

    “We have had incidents in the past where it was difficult to know the people on board a particular aircraft. The rule now is that you must present the manifest before you take off, whether it is a private or commercial aircraft.

    “So, in Akure, they demanded for the manifest of the aircraft carrying Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and in the typical Nigerian system or attitude, they started asking why they must make the manifest available.

    “At the time this thing happened, they had not even asked for start up. That is, they had not got in touch with the Control Tower for take- off.

    “When the manifest was produced, the aircraft was cleared accordingly. We could not have delayed or grounded the aircraft, having noticed that there is no heavy lighting at Akure Airport for night traffic.

    “We did not have issues. It was just normal operational procedure.”

     

  • Once upon a time they flew

    Once upon a time they flew

    The following domestic airlines which operated in the last 10 years have ceased to function, or are temporarily grounded.

     

    NICON Airways

    Fresh Airline

    Bellview

    First Nation Airline

    Okada Air

    KOLKOL

    Chrome

    Afrijet

    Gas Air

    Aviation Development Corporation, ADC

    Albarka

    Executive Aviation Services, EAS

    Space World

    Allied

    UMAR

    Sosoliso

    Harka Air

    Air Nigeria