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Tag: James Odaudu

  • Driver docked for intimidating a passenger with “Juju”

    A 62 year-old driver, Ibrahim Sanni, who police accused of intimidating a passenger with witchcraft, on Tuesday, appeared in an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court.

    The Prosecutor, Inspector James Odaudu told the court that the complainant, Ayobola Suleman, boarded a cab from the post office to Geri-Alimi and an argument ensued between them over change.

    Odaudu alleged that the accused during heated argument, brought out a snail shell and robbed it where the passenger was seated and also recited an incantation.

    He said the complainant, got scared and raised an alarm.

    Read Also: Man docked over alleged rape of 21-year-old

    He said the accused appeared before the court on a one-count charge of criminal intimidation which contravened section 397of the Penal Code Law.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Magistrate Aluko Muhammed, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until December 20 for further mention.

  • Minister clears air on Nigeria Air

    …FG not paying $300 million for 5 percent stake in National Carrier

     

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has made some clarifications following controversies surrounding the newly unveiled name and logo of national carrier; ‘Nigeria Air’.

    Sirika said the federal government was not paying $300 million for a five per cent stake in Nigeria Air.

    Responding to questions about the national carrier which was launched on Wednesday, July 18, Sirika said the government was only providing a startup capital for the airline.

    His response is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Media and Public Affairs, James Odaudu.

    Sirika said: “The government is not funding the entire project. It’s just providing startup capital in the form of an upfront grant/viability gap funding.

    “Once the strategic equity investor is in place, they will be expected to build on the initial investment made,” he said.

    “$8 million represents startup capital for offices etc required for takeoff. But $300 million is the entire airline cash flow funding requirements (aircraft, operations and working capital) for three years (2018, 2019 and 2020).

    “The funding can be in the form of equity or debt. The financial model estimates cash flow requirements as follows 2018 ($55 million – $8 million is included here), 2019 ($100 million) and 2020 ($145 million).

    “In order to ensure take-off of the airline in 2018, the government will provide $55 million upfront grant/viability gap funding to finance startup capital and pay commitment fees for aircraft to be leased for initial operations and deposit for new aircraft whose delivery will begin in 2021.”

    The minister also said the strategic investor will only become known after the public-private partnership procurement process is completed.

    He also said share would be sold after one year of operations.

    Sirika said the company’s shares will be sold through an initial public offering after which the government will own five per cent equity.

    “Government’s equity share held in trust for Nigerians will be devolved to Nigerians via an IPO.

    “The government will retain only 5% equity, the list of shareholders then will be available to SEC and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

    “The rest of the 95% equity of Nigeria Air Limited will then be owned by the strategic equity investor and the general public.

    “At that point, Nigeria Air Ltd becomes a public company subject to SEC, NSE and relevant CAMA rules for public companies.”

    The minister also said the airline will begin operations with domain name; www.flynigeriaair.ng.

    He said: “The airline will begin operations with dry leases and the domain, www.flynigeriaair.ng, will become active soon.

    “Someone has already registered nigeriaair.ng apparently in anticipation of a buy-out by the proposed airline.”

  • Nigeria set to host ICAO on RPAS

    Nigeria set to host ICAO on RPAS

    The Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) is set to host the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) symposium on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Abuja from July 17 to July 18.

    A brochure of the symposium obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday showed that the event had the theme “Remotely Piloted Aviation in Africa: sharing experiences and challenges”.

    The brochure also showed that the event would provide a unique opportunity for states, international organisations and stakeholders to share experiences in addressing RPAS operations across Africa and Indian Ocean.

    It added that the event would focus on challenges to be overcome and benefits to be obtained, identifying how existing rules needed to evolve to facilitate the entrance of RPAS community into the civil aviation system.

    The symposium, according to the brochure, will also examine alignment between ongoing RPAS development and support regulatory provisions.

    “The symposium will also showcase the opportunities that will be created by the integration of RPAS into the global civil aviation system.

    “It will increase awareness of states, regulators and airspace users of the importance of adapting the existing regulatory framework to the needs of a fast growing new member of the aviation community.

    “It will also increase awareness on the capabilities of RPAS technologies and the impact of those new capabilities on civil aviation activities showcased through panel discussions and exhibitions.

    “International aviation as a whole will be incentivised to make the best possible use of the new tools created to support the integration of RPAS.”

    Mr James Odaudu, the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, said the event was a measure of confidence in the current administration in the management of the nation’s aviation industry.

    Odaudu added that the decision of ICAO to hold its symposium in Nigeria was also an endorsement of the policies and programmes of the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika in the sector.

    He expressed confidence that the programme would bring additional value to the nation’s aviation sector.

    He said “this is a very important aviation event that ICAO is holding in Nigeria in recent years and it is a measure of confidence in the current administration in aviation sector.”

    ICAO is a UN specialised agency established by states in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and Nigeria is one of the 191 member states.

  • Abuja Airport shuts down Wednesday night – Sirika

    Abuja Airport shuts down Wednesday night – Sirika

    The Federal government said on Tuesday that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja will be shut down from midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017, and not Tuesday March 7, 2017.

    James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affair, Ministry of Aviation said in a statement on Tuesday morning that Stakeholders in the Aviation sector and the general public should note that the Abuja airport remains open for operations until the midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

    He said government has also concluded all arrangements for the complimentary transportation of passengers to and from Kaduna as soon as the Abuja Airport shuts down for operations, adding that this is in line with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to mitigate the discomfort of air passengers resulting from the closure.

    “As part of the arrangements, and for security reasons, there will be an initial screening of passengers and luggage at the Abuja Airport which is the departure point for the buses, while screening for boarding will be done at the Kaduna airport. Government will also set up contact points at the Idu and Kubwa railway stations for those opting to travel by rail to Kaduna.

    “However, in order to properly identify genuine passengers, government has decided that only those with valid air tickets and / or Boarding Passes will be allowed on the buses or travel by train at government expenses.

    “Minister of State for Aviation wishes to once again appeal to the public to understand that decision to shut down the Abuja Airport has been taken in the overall public interest, and in line with government stand on enhancing the safety and security of the nation’s airport and, of course, the flying public”, he said.