Lagos State government has called for an improved sanitary attitude among Lagosians, just as it restated the need for citizens’ involvement in achieving environmental sustainability.
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) General Manager Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, while speaking at an event marking the World Clean-Up Day in Lagos, underscored the need to connect citizens to the appropriate mechanism in waste management.
She added that a polluted society negatively affects the socio-economic structure of the entire residents.
“It is disturbing to know that part of the waste generated in the state still end up on the streets and drainage channels causing flooding and other human made disasters capable of reducing the quality of life and negatively impact the economy” she reiterated.
The LASEPA boss confirmed that the clean-up initiative with the support of Green HubAfrica which took on Saturday at Sura Shopping Complex and Kid’s Beach Garden, Elegushi, Ikate, was used to celebrate the International Coastal Clean-up Day, World Clean-up Day and Zero Emissions Day.
Dr Fasawe said the collaboration between the government and GreenHubAfrica is in recognition of the crucial need for a change in the mind-set of the people on proper waste disposal etiquette.
According to her, the state government has begun setting efforts in motion, to tackle the dire issues of environmental pollution with the recently launched Blue Box.
The Blue Box, she said, is aimed at encouraging the separation of recyclable materials from the general waste at the point of generation.
She said the Clean-Up exercise was carried out with some school pupils to get them involved in the crusade for a better environment.
GreenHubAfrica Chief Executive Officer Herry Bassey said the clean-up campaign was design to raise awareness on the aftermath of abusing and neglecting the environment, as well as helping communities to live a fulfilling life.
“As Green HubAfrica dives deeper into the Nigeria’s need for progression in sustainable development, the media platform has partnered with the environmental regulatory body for Lagos State, LASEPA to commence positive steps in the nations’ attitude towards environmental sustainability,’’ Bassey said.
Sterling Bank Managing Director Abubakar Sulaiman expressed the hope that Lagosians would take ownership of their environment and make regular cleaning exercise a lifestyle.
He also advocated waste sorting from the point of generation, saying that if wastes are managed properly, the process of evacuating such waste is always easier.
MALLAM Abdulrazzaq Ibrahim Salman, the President of Abibakr As-Sidiq Philanthropic Home, an Islamic charitable organisation in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has condemned the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities in Khurais and Abqaiq.
He described the actions as acts of terrorism.
In a statement on Sunday, the Islamic cleric, who is also the Director of the Nigerian office of the World Muslim Congress and a member of the Executive Council of the congress, said the attacks lacked any moral justification.
He said they have no basis in the holy Qur’an and the teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), called the Sunnah.
“I call on the global community to stand strongly with Saudi Arabia government and the people of Saudi as such attacks on civilians and economic facilities are capable of causing additional unimaginable humanitarian crisis across the world,” Malam Abdulrazzaq said.
The popular cleric urged Muslims across the world to pray for Saudi Arabia at its critical moment as “any attack on Saudi Arabia is an attack on the entire Muslim World. The security and stability of the Kingdom is key to the fulfilment of Islamic rights and obligations”.
Two newly renovated public schools were at the weekend inaugurated in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.
The two schools, Irepodun Primary School and Alapere Primary School, had 14 new blocks of class rooms, well-equipped computer rooms, lavatories, kee klamps for food vendors and water points a s well as the installation of interlocking pavers.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the projects, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community affairs, Hon. Yetunde Arobieke, said that the project would improve the quality of education in the schools and put smiles in the faces of the students and teachers as well as parents.
She lauded the LCDA Chairman, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, for the projects, describing them as legacies to be remembered and which would also speak volumes about him long after his tenure in office.
Mayor Oshinowo, in his address on the occasion, said the gesture was in fulfillment of his administration’s commitment to promoting the well-being of children through the provision of quality and affordable education.
He said it was part of some of the legacy projects initiated by his administration, which had become its trademark in laying a sustainable foundation for the development of the LCDA.
The LCDA chairman said: “Our administration is committed to using the tax payers’ money of this LCDA to better the lives of the citizenry. This gesture is a pointer to the use of education as a tool for development in the society.
“We cannot afford to see our leaders of tomorrow acquiring knowledge in overcrowded and stressful classes.”
He noted that a lot of projects had been executed by the LCDA while more were ongoing.
Oshinowo said that his administration remained open to both public and private partnerships, adding that such support would enable the LCDA to do more.
THE Federal Government has said it had signed a conditional grant with state governments through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It also said plans were underway to align indicators of the global goals into the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Technical Advisor in the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs), Dr. Bala Yunusa, stated this at a stakeholders’ workshop in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
The programme, which was organised by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), had the theme: Niger Delta and the SDGs: Accelerating Progress Towards Attainment.
Yunusa said aligning the indicators of the goals into the NBS would make it easy to have accurate assessment of Nigeria’s efforts towards attaining the goals.
THE Senate will back President Muhammadu Buhari on his economic policies and in tackling security challenges, Senator Uba Sani said on Sunday.
He hailed the inauguration of the “highly competent” Economic Advisory Council (EAC), saying it was a clear indication that the President was committed to building a virile economy.
Sani, who chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, said Buhari has the lawmakers’ full support.
The senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District spoke with journalists in Abuja.
He praised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for extending the cashless policy on deposits.
On the need to grow the economy, Sani said: “The president has just passed a strong message that we need to reinvigorate our economy. We need to grow our economy because economic growth means an increase in real GDP.
“Increase in real GDP means there will be an increase in the value of national output/expenditure.
“The benefits of economic growth are huge; they include a higher average income, which enables consumers, especially the poor, to enjoy more goods and services and enjoy better standards of living; it also means that there will be lower unemployment.
“And with advanced output and positive economic growth, firms will employ more workers, creating more employment.
“It also helps to reduce government borrowing and increase tax revenues. With this, the government can spend more on public services, such as health, education, good roads and others.”
Sani said Ahmed Lawan-led Senate would fast-track the 2020 Appropriation Bill once received and pass it within two months.
“The perennial delay in passing the annual budgets in the past gave a wrong impression that the legislature was either ignorant of its responsibility or intentionally frustrating the efforts of the Executive. We need to change the wrong perception,” he said.
Early passage of the budget, he said, will promote growth and development and help the private sector to plan better.
Sani said: “At macro level, prompt passage of the budget suggests speedy implementation of capital projects. This is critical to the growth of the economy because it has impact on growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The legislature and executive, though independent, must work harmoniously to address myriad challenges confronting our country. We must synergise to give our people a good budget and see to its prompt and effective implementation.”
The Senator has no problem with the cashless policy.
He said: “The cashless policy all over the world helps in reducing the inflow of illicit money.
“Its major goal is to curb corruption, counterfeiting of notes, black/parallel economy, money laundering, funding of acts of terrorism and tax evasion. These are some of the illicit activities of the economy that a cashless economy can curb.
“Electronic payments can also easily be tracked and no transactions will thus go unnoticed. And, if the government does notice fraudulent financial behaviour, it can block or freeze accounts – stopping the activity in its tracks.”
On insecurity, Sani said the Senate would work closely with President Buhari to address the challenges.
“Security and a sound legal system are critical for sustainable development. Our country has been confronting insecurity challenges of different dimensions. They have definitely taken a toll on our people and our economy.
“We pay a huge price in confronting our insecurity challenges. The huge financial resources we have spent in fighting crimes in the past few years would have helped bolster our social services.
“The Senate is committed and ever ready to support President Buhari in his current determination to strengthen security and the legal order, as well as addressing the socio-economic challenges confronting the country.”
He called for patience as the Federal Government addresses the challenges.
The lawmaker representing Ikere-Ekiti Constituency II in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Idowu, has reiterated his desire to improve the welfare of his constituents.
Idowu stated this while presenting cash gifts to 60 widows during an empowerment programme on Sunday at his office in Ikere-Ekiti.
He said that the programme was meant to complement the efforts of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at improving the welfare of widows through empowerment.
The lawmaker, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Environment, explained that the gesture was borne out of the need to relieve the widows of some of the challenges facing them.
Idowu said: “The vision to empower widows was borne out of my passion to support the struggle of our First lady, Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, to deliver women and children from long time captivity of maltreatment, abuse, relegation and stigmatisation.
“My mother is a widow. I lost my father in 1998, when I was in 200 level at the University of Ilorin. I came back home due to financial constraints; my mother and I had to do menial jobs to ensure that I returned to school. I know what it takes to be a widow.”
“So, this event is in fulfillment of the promise made during my electioneering campaigns. The honourable position I’m occupying today is a result of the trust and confidence (you have) in me to represent you effectively at the helm of affairs in our constituency. I’m indebted to you all for the gesture. This is just my little way of sincere appreciation to you all.”
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the cash gifts, promising to extend the largesse to youths and the aged in the constituency.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Esther Owoyemi and Madam Rachael Olorunfemi, thanked the lawmaker for the cash gifts and promised to spend it judiciously.
ROTARY Club of Festac Town in Lagos State will sponsor the fibroid surgery and treatment of 10 women at a cost of N3million, its president Mrs Onyinye Ogbonna has said.
She spoke at the weekend during her investiture as the 38th president of the club.
The ceremony, which held at Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac Town, also featured the investiture of the club’s Board of Directors, launch of the club’s projects/fundraising.
Awards were given to some distinguished persons with sterling performance in their professions and selfless service to humanity.
Mrs Ogbonna said the sponsorship was meant to give those diagnosed with fibroid the chance to live a normal life.
She said: “We intend to provide boreholes for selected settlements in Amuwo-Odofin. We will empower and equip 20 women on vocational skills acquisition, embark on charity visitation to Beth Tarrey Home in Festac Town, donate birthing kits to 20 women, donate computer sets to identified schools and we will go further on our scholarship schemes to beneficiaries.”
Mrs.Ogbonna said Rotary International is the world’s first service organisation with over 1.5 million members in 340,000 clubs across the world.
“We are volunteers who work locally and internationally to fight hunger, provide quality education, improve health and sanitation, improve child maternal health and eradicate polio,” she said.
Rotary District Governor for District 9110, Dr Jide Akeredolu, urged Ogbonna to maximise her one-year tenure and keep the standard of the club high.
“You will also hand over next year what would be your achievements,” he said.
Describing the tenure of immediate past President Felix Nnamezie as impressive and successful, the Rotarian implored him to be there for the new president to advise and guide her with his experience.
The guest speaker and Editor of The Nation, Mr Adeniyi Adesina, spoke on: The Role of the Media in a Developing Economy.
He said Rotary Club International is a critical partner in the evolution of Nigeria with its immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the country and its people.
The editor explained that the media are expected to hold government accountable, educate the public, make government responsible and responsive.
Adesina said: “For the media to play its role effectively in developing economies, they must uphold the Code of Ethics of the profession, which includes truth, balance, fairness, accuracy. They are expected to perform their statutory roles in tune with the extant political environment, create a synergy between the government and the people, such that where government programmes are anti-people, the media would have to put sufficient information in the public glare to make the people reject them and make government change its mind for the public good.
“When government churns out courageous and/or people-friendly policies, the media must mobilise the people to support such policies to entrench good governance and development. The media have a role to galvanise the civil society to retool and re-engineer in the interest of the people.
“The media must provide opportunities for citizens to know and participate in how they are governed, because feedback is central to governance; it builds trust and confidence, thus making governance seamless and productive.”
Prohibitive offshore cost for aircraft maintenance is pushing indigenous carriers to evolve cost cutting measures such as leasing aircraft to ferry passengers who are increasingly getting curious over the arrangement, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.
INDIGENOUS carriers are evolving survival strategies to keep afloat and remain in business despite the inclement operating environment.
High rate of attrition, where airlines are forced to close shop less than a decade after they hit the skies, is increasingly becoming a recurring phenomenon in the Nigerian air transport sector.
In the last two decades, 18 airlines which were once very promising brands have been forced to close shop.
Investigations revealed that the managers of these carriers are evolving a raft of survival measures and strategies to keep their business running.
Part of the cure for the lingering headache, investigation revealed is wet leasing.
To block this huge gap, some domestic carriers have signed technical partnerships with aircraft lessors and other carriers within and outside the continent to keep their business running.
Investigations reveal that many carriers, including Arik Air, has entered into partnership with Value Jets on a wet lease arrangement to provide aircraft and crew for its operations.
In 2017, the 150 lessors are managing 8,400 aircraft worth $256 billion with 2,321 aircraft on backlog from 28 of them, their penetration having stabilised at 42.6 per cent.
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said there is nothing unusual if indigenous carriers consider aircraft wet lease as options for survival.
All that is required from the operator is to furnish the regulatory body with the terms of such deal in line with statutory requirements.
Speaking on the development, General Manager, Public Affairs , Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Sam Adurogboye, said the regulator does not frown at domestic airlines securing operating leases which is a temporary arrangement to take care of some situations.
He said the NCAA was aware of the wet-lease agreement between Value Jets and Arik Air affirming that it was an operational agreement to assist the airline.
Adurogboye said: “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has been notified by Arik Air of its wet lease agreement with Value Jets. It is nothing unusual in global aviation wet leasing of aircraft is an interim measure to take care of aircraft scarcity, such that the airline does not have operational issues.
“While the short term agreement lasts, the aircraft provider takes care of crew, aircraft maintenance, insurance and other issues. The airline, in this case, Arik Air pays for fueling, catering and airport and other aeronautical charges.
“The airline has not breached any regulation. We are excited that passengers are getting more curious about developments in the sector.”
An official of Arik Air said the use of Value Jets aircraft for their operations was simply a wet lease agreement. The official said wet leasing aircraft was a global practice, saying the carrier did not breach any law by using an aircraft of another airline. The official said: “It is strange that passengers are getting excited or worried over such development. What we have done is global practice.”
In aviation there are several types of aircraft leasing.
According to experts, aircraft leases are used by airlines and other aircraft operators.
A former pilot with Virgin Nigeria Airways and President Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative (NASI), Captain Dung Pam, said airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons: to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide temporary increase in capacity.
He said the industry has two main leasing types: wet-leasing, which is normally used for short-term leasing, and dry-leasing, which is for a longer-term.
Globally, Captain Dung said the industry uses a combination of wet and dry leasing.
He said in some circumstances, an aircraft is wet-leased to establish new services; but as the airline’s flight or cabin crews become trained, they can be switched to a dry lease.
He said : “A wet lease is a leasing arrangement whereby one airline, the lessor, provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline or other type of business, acting as a broker of air travel (the lessee), which pays by hours operated.
“The lessee provides fuel and covers airport fees, and any other duties, taxes.
The flight uses the flight number of the lessee. A wet lease generally lasts between one to 24 months.
“As a global trend, wet lease is typically utilised during peak traffic seasons or annual heavy maintenance checks, or to initiate new routes.
“Besides, a wet-leased aircraft may be used to fly services into countries where the lessee is banned from operating.
“They can also be considered a form of charter whereby the lessor provides minimum operating services, including ACMI, and the lessee provides the balance of services along with flight numbers.
“A dry lease is a leasing arrangement whereby an aircraft financing entity; lessor provides an aircraft without crew, ground staff.”
Experts say a dry lease is typically used by leasing companies and banks, requiring the lessee to put the aircraft on its own air operator’s certificate (AOC) and provide aircraft registration.
A typical dry lease lasts upwards of two years and bears certain conditions with respect to depreciation, maintenance, insurances, depending also on the geographical location and political circumstances.
A dry-lease arrangement can also be made between a major airline and a regional airline, in which the major airline provides the aircraft and the regional operator provides flight crews, maintenance and other operational aspects of the aircraft, which then may be operated under the major airline’s name or some similar name.
Experts say a dry lease saves the major airline the expense of training personnel to fly and maintain the aircraft, along with other considerations such as staggered union contracts, regional airport staffing,
At the end of July 2015, the top 50 aircraft lessors managed 8,184 aircraft: 511 turbo prop regional airliners, 792 regional jets, 5,612 narrow body and 1,253 wide body airliners.
DG NCAA, Captain Mukhtar Usman
An industry expert and pilot, Captain Willy Funsho said there was nothing unusual about passengers buying ticket on one airline and entering an aircraft provided by another party.
Investigations revealed that many domestic airlines are toeing similar path to starve off waiting for aircraft endlessly from offshore maintenance facilities, either in Europe, Asia, Far East, Middle East or United States.”
Many indigenous carriers have their aircraft trapped in maintenance facilities aboard, either due to paucity of funds or inability to secure slot.
Besides Arik Air, other carriers have been undertaking aircraft leases from different lessors across the globe.
But, some passengers expressed confusion over the matter.
They said they were surprised to purchase an Arik Air ticket at the counter, only to get to the tarmac to board an aircraft without any logo of Arik Air.
Mr Cosmas Ibe, traveling on the Lagos – Abuja route said: “I was surprised after procuring the Arik Air, got to the Tarmac only to be checked into an aircraft bearing Value Jets. The inscription on the leaflet on board reads: “Value Jets operated by Arik Air.
“Besides, the crew was made up of foreigners. I think they are from North Africa. Communication was a little bit of some challenge, because their English language, for me, appears not very fluent. But, the important thing is that we got to our destination.”
Another passenger, who identified himself as Bayo Bolurin on the Arik Air Lagos – Abuja flight said he was also taken aback by the development.
He said: “Which one is Value Jets operated by Arik Air. My ticket read Arik Air, where did the Value Jet matter come into this.”
They kissed the dust
FROM Nigeria Airways, Okada Air that ruled the air space in the 1980s to Albarka Airlines, Flash Airlines, Fresh Air, Intercontinental Airlines, Concord Airlines, Oriental Airlines, ADC Airlines, Hold Trade Air, Gas Air, Hamsal Air, Harco Air Services, Freedom Air Services, Hamair, Mangal Air , Slok Air and Sosoliso Airlines.
Many passengers are also not in a hurry to remember NiCON Airways, Nigeria One, Nigerian Eagle Airlines, Nigerian Global, Premium Air Shuttle, Spaceworld International Airlines, Triax Air, Virgin Nigeria Airways, Wings Aviation and Falcon Airlines.
As these carriers rolled down the cliff, their disused aircraft continue to litter airports across the country, a sordid reminder to many passengers who continue to shudder why indigenous carriers rapidly experience short life span, which aviation experts describe as the ‘bust and boom’ circle.
Experts say the existing nine carriers: Arik Air, Air Peace, Overland Airways, Dana Air, AZMAN Air, Max Air, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors and Medview Airlines, are grappling with a myriad of challenges not limited to – insufficient operating aircraft; high cost of aircraft maintenance and limited slot at available aircraft maintenance centres.
A socio-economic group, Advocate for Equity and Fairness, has said West African countries deserve to fill some current African Union Commission (AUC) vacancies, following their contribution to Africa’s socio-economic growth.
The group noted in particular last February’s report by global auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers which named Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy for the second time consecutively.
It said this rating confirmed the country and by extension the region as an economic hub in Africa and an emerging powerhouse.
The group stated this in a statement signed by its Chairperson, Jane Thompson.
“Statistics shows that Nigeria is Africa‘s most populous country and the political and economic powerhouse of West Africa. It is the world’s seventh largest exporter of oil,” Thompson said.
She observed that Nigeria attained this “exalted position” not because it did not face daunting challenges in the economic and other critical sectors but for the remarkable contributions of some experts and technocrats.”
The experts and technocrats, she noted, included former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Akinwunmi Adesina, Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chukwuma Soludo, and Sanusi L. Sanusi, Oby Ezekwesili and the late Dora Akunyili.
She added: “Also, of recent, Mr. Ebiekure Eradiri, who has brought his wealth of experience to bear in repositioning the Bayelsa State Small and Medium Scales Enterprises.”
The statement added: “Okonjo-Iweala, who served both President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan, cut her teeth at the World Bank where she spent 25-years as a Development Economist and rose through the ranks to the number two position of Managing Director, Operations.
“Another contributor to Nigeria’s success story is the President of the African Development Bank, Akin-wunmi Adesina, who is the first Nigerian to hold that position. He was named as Forbes African Man of the Year for his landmark reforms in the Nigerian agricultural sector. Changing the narrative in the sector and attracting investors into the sector.”
“Similarly, the impactful tenure of Soludo and Sanusi as heads of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN is not in doubt. The indelible mark they left in coordinating Nigeria’s fiscal policy is there for all to see. The former was recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari into the Economic Team. This can only be in recognition of the role he played while in office.
“Also, Mr. Ebiekure, Eradiri, a graduate of Chemical Engineering in Nigeria who after a short stint in Oil and Gas operations as field Engineer with International Oil Companies ventured into the Entrepreneur world outstanding a chain of company activities in Stromberg Holdings with activities in facility management/ Real Estate Services, Lubricants/ Petroleum Fluids, Specialists Engineering and Slickline Services.
“He further advanced as Bayelsa state consultant on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development attaining the status of Train the Trainer with SMEDAN Abuja.
Aside its large economy, Thompson noted Nigeria’s history of political clout on the continent and its “critical role of a big brother to other African countries.
“It championed the fight against apartheid rule in South Africa, white minority rule in Zimbabwe, peacekeeping missions in troubled West African states – Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire. A good example is its call for a robust economic co-operation among African nations during a meeting of the Organisation of Africa Union (OAU) in 1970 despite being under a military regime,” she said.
The Oyo State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde’s claims that the judgment restraining him and the House of Assembly from sacking the council chairmen and members of the board of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has been vacated.
Makinde had stated on a political interview programme on Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at the weekend that the judgment had been vacated.
He spoke through his Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Hon. Samuel Adejumobi (aka Agbara po).
The judgment had restrained the governor and the House of Assembly from sacking the elected chairmen, conducting another election or tampering with the funds of the councils. But the chairmen were sacked two hours after the new governor was sworn in on May 29.
Reacting to the claim yesterday in a telephone chat with The Nation, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, challenged Governor Makinde to produce the evidence that the judgment had been vacated.
He said the appeal filed against the judgment by the state government was still pending at the Court of Appeal, adding that the appellate court was yet to fix the date for hearing because the judges went on vacation.
The ALGON boss challenged the state government to name the court that vacated the judgment and the date such a decision was taken.
He urged the governor to stop deceiving the public over his wrong steps, stressing that integrity should be the hallmark of a state chief executive.
But Makinde also said that his administration was not borrowing to pay staff of local governments and Local Council Development Areas as claimed by the ALGON chairman. He said council funds were intact but that the government was paying salaries from it without borrowing.
The governor added that ALGON came out with the allegation of borrowing because it did not understand how his administration was handling the prompt payment of salaries, which he accused the past administration of having inflated by about N1billion shortly after the March 9 governorship election, which it lost.
