The Nation Newspaper

Tag: United Kingdom

  • Nigerian lesbian attempts suicide over move to deport her from UK

    Nigerian lesbian attempts suicide over move to deport her from UK

    A Nigerian lesbian asylum seeker in the United Kingdom has reportedly attempted to take her own life following moves to deport her home. Nneka Obazee, 34, according to the British online publication Independent ,was scheduled to be flown on a charter flight to Nigeria. But on finding out what awaited her and her 19-yearold stepson,she overdosed on pain medication. She was subsequently hospitalized. Activist group Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants is now fighting her case. A spokesperson for LGSM said: “When Nneka was made aware that she would be returned to Nigeria she was so frightened that she attempted to suicide and took an overdose which demonstrates how dire the situation would be for her if she was returned to Nigeria.”

    Ms Obazee went to the UK in March 2013 on a visit with her husband she claimed to be abusive,and stepson. She took the opportunity of the UK trip to run away fr the husband, and reveal her sexuality. Nneka has been living in Manchester in the last four years and is an active member of the cities LGBT+ community, organizing with the migrant group African Rainbow Family. Ms Obazee has had her case rejected by the Home Office and failed two appeals tribunals. She is currently undergoing a judicial review. “Sexual identity is a very difficult thing to have to ‘prove’, not least when it has been the cause of significant trauma in the past,” LGBTIQ specialist senior caseworker at Asylum Aid, Rajiv Bera, told The Independent. Mr Bera added that he continually represents people who have exhausted their refugee status determination and appeals process without success but “With adequate representation and proper support, the same people have gone on to eventually win their cases”. It is also not uncommon for the same LGBTQ+ asylum seekers to suffer from mental health problems: “By the time they are recognised as refugees, they have experienced the effects of disbelief, destitution and detention, often at a huge cost to their mental health” he said.

    Ms Obazee has experienced severe mental health issues, including depression according to LGSM, which she says have been exacerbated by the asylum process. The group have said that since being detained her mental health has worsened and she has suffered a nervous breakdown which has included thoughts of suicide. Last year a report by LGBT charity STONEWALL and UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group found that UK detention centres were poorly equipped to deal with the needs of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. It detailed how LGBT detainees were denied access to HIV and anti-depression medication well as being bullied, harassed or physically attacked by other detainees, and victims said they did not feel protected by detention staff. Leila Zadeh, director of UKLGIG, told The Independent that the organisation was concerned about Ms Obazee’s deportation: “We are concerned that too often people’s sexuality is disbelieved and asylum claims incorrectly refused. It’s also concerning that somebody can be removed from the country when there is a judicial review outstanding.” A spokesperson for Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants told The Independent: “Only two months ago we joyfully celebrated with our friend Nneka at London LGBT+ Pride and now all we can do is watch powerlessly as she is railroaded through an unjust and inhumane immigration system to face certain danger in Nigeria.” In 2013 Nigeria made same-sex marriage illegal and according to a report from Human Rights Watch the law is “used by some police officers and members of the public to legitimise abuses against LGBT people”. Anti-gay laws in Nigeria can lead to punishments including 14 years in prison to death by stoning and LGBTQ people are frequently faced with violence due to their orientation and gender identity. Ms Obazee is currently in Yarls Wood. A spokesperson for the Home Office told The Independent: “We do not routinely comment on operational activity.”

  • Why NAFDAC must digitise drug, food licences, by UK-based pharmacist

    Why NAFDAC must digitise drug, food licences, by UK-based pharmacist

    A United Kingdom (UK)-based Nigerian pharmacist, Mr. Peter Iyoko, has said Nigeria must enhance the standard of consumable goods it is exporting to Europe in line with international benchmarks. This, he said, will keep Nigeria in a position to earn steady foreign exchange from non-oil products.

    Iyoko, a former Students’ Union leader at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), spoke against the backdrop of the rejection of some Nigerian products exported to Europe, particularly beans. He said the inability of the National Agency for Food, Drug and Administration Control (NAFDAC) to ensure the products were safe for consumption may have led to their rejection by European countries.

    He said: “Let me speak in my capacity as a businessman with many years of experience on rules and regulations guiding the export of consumable goods. One thing that could certainly be responsible for the rejection of any products is the standardisation of such product. If any product, especially consumable goods, falls short of the international standard, it will be rejected from the point of entry for human safety and security.

    “For Nigeria to avoid re-occurrence of rejection of its products being exported to Europe, a holistic approach is required to ensure all rules and regulations guiding production, preservation and packaging are adhered to. NAFDAC needs to raise the bar for the manufacturers and ensure packaged food products being exported are up to international standard.”

    Iyoko called for the repositioning of NAFDAC, saying the agency was overdue for reforms. He said NAFDAC needed to take advantage of technology to digitise the records of consumable materials being produced in the country.

    He said: “If I were to be the Director General of NAFDAC, I would improve on the standardisation of all drugs and other consumable goods, right from the production point to preservation and distribution with absolute commitment to rid the system of expired and harmful food products. The system needs an overhaul in the area of delays to registration of imported items and the certifications of production plants.

    “There is need to digitise the records of imported drugs and food products in Nigeria, so that it will be easy to identify and recall products that have expired. Arrangements could be made for refund on the cost price of the products or a certain percentage of the loss incurred by the importers. This can strategically be done with NAFDAC also generating revenue.”

    He said expired and fake drugs still flooded Nigerian markets because of the laxity in employing digital technology to record goods brought to the countries by importers.

    He added: “We need to know that repackaging of expired drugs for human consumption is worst than terrorism and kidnapping. People involved in this wicked act should be treated as common enemies. NAFDAC must be up to the task to protect the market from adulterated products.”

    Iyoko said Nigeria needed to step up standards if it wanted to continue to export its products to the UK, especially as Britain prepares for post-Brexit era. He said there was high probability that Britain would introduce new trade regulations and import rule, adding that any country that wanted to sell its products in the UK may be subjected to stringent trade rules.

    Iyoko said: “The outcome of Brexit discussion should bother countries that may want to maintain trade with the UK. The system has set up an arrangement for the direction to go, but there should be a cause for alarm because both Britain and Europe can exist independently. But, there may be new regulations on trade and UK would announce its own standard. Countries that want to export to the UK would have to be subjected to these new rules.”

    The former students’ leader urged students and youth to be focused and continue to support the Muhammadu Buhari administration on its anti-corruption war.

  • FG seeks private sector investment from UK

    FG seeks private sector investment from UK

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it would work with government of the United Kingdom to stimulate more direct private sector investments into Nigeria.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma said this in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the British government led by the Secretary of State for International Development, Mrs Priti Patel.

    He told the delegation that Federal Government was intensifying efforts at ensuring the ease of doing business in the country and would welcome more foreign investments.

    Patel and her team are in Nigeria to have an on-the-spot appraisal of the situation in the North East of the country to enable the British Government to decide on how to assist the Nigerian government in addressing the situation in the region, as well as other development initiatives.

    Acknowledging the various interventions by the British Government in aid of the country’s developmental challenges, the minister said although Nigeria would appreciate more foreign aid from the British Government, it would be looking more in the area of investments from companies in that country coming into Nigeria.

    He explained government’s efforts toward ensuring the ease of doing business and particularly mentioned the creation of industrial hubs in the six geo-political zones of the country that would have the basic facilities required for manufacturing to thrive smoothly.

    The British government, he said, could help in encouraging manufacturers in the United Kingdom to outsource some of their productions to Nigeria and take advantage of the special economic zones.

    The minister said that the Federal Government was committed to creating a successful economy, pointing out that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan launched early this year was meant to serve as vehicle to drive government’s diversification policy.

    Udoma said Federal Government had constituted an Inter-ministerial Task Force under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning to properly handle and coordinate humanitarian assistance efforts to the North East.

    This, he noted, was to ensure proper delivery and effective utilisation of funds and materials.

    In her comments, Patel assured that the British Government would continue to assist Nigeria in addressing its humanitarian and developmental challenges.

    She said her team would discuss further with the Federal Government to look at more proactive ways of dealing with the fallouts of the North East crisis.

    She added that more work would be done in the areas of investment in education, international partnerships, capacity building, scaling up of farming in local communities among, other development issues.

  • FG seeks private sector investment from UK

    FG seeks private sector investment from UK

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it would work with government of the United Kingdom to stimulate more direct private sector investments into Nigeria.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma said this in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the British government led by the Secretary of State for International Development, Mrs Priti Patel.

    He told the delegation that Federal Government was intensifying efforts at ensuring the ease of doing business in the country and would welcome more foreign investments.

    Patel and her team are in Nigeria to have an on-the-spot appraisal of the situation in the North East of the country to enable the British Government to decide on how to assist the Nigerian government in addressing the situation in the region, as well as other development initiatives.

    Acknowledging the various interventions by the British Government in aid of the country’s developmental challenges, the minister said although Nigeria would appreciate more foreign aid from the British Government, it would be looking more in the area of investments from companies in that country coming into Nigeria.

    He explained government’s efforts toward ensuring the ease of doing business and particularly mentioned the creation of industrial hubs in the six geo-political zones of the country that would have the basic facilities required for manufacturing to thrive smoothly.

    The British government, he said, could help in encouraging manufacturers in the United Kingdom to outsource some of their productions to Nigeria and take advantage of the special economic zones.

    The minister said that the Federal Government was committed to creating a successful economy, pointing out that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan launched early this year was meant to serve as vehicle to drive government’s diversification policy.

    Udoma said Federal Government had constituted an Inter-ministerial Task Force under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning to properly handle and coordinate humanitarian assistance efforts to the North East.

    This, he noted, was to ensure proper delivery and effective utilisation of funds and materials.

    In her comments, Patel assured that the British Government would continue to assist Nigeria in addressing its humanitarian and developmental challenges.

    She said her team would discuss further with the Federal Government to look at more proactive ways of dealing with the fallouts of the North East crisis.

    She added that more work would be done in the areas of investment in education, international partnerships, capacity building, scaling up of farming in local communities among, other development issues.

     

  • UK-based Nigerian proprietors open school in Lagos

    With 22 years of experience running a group of 18 schools in the United Kingdom, Mrs Kemi Balogun and Mrs Linda Adeyemi-Hastrup have birthed Hampton Preparatory School in Nigeria.

    The co-proprietors of the schools located in Lekki area of Lagos State, promised to deliver on the quality that made them get recognition of the British government to designate their schools as child-care centres 15 years ago – where both health and educational needs of children in their care are met under one umbrella.

    In an interview, the duo spoke of returning home to establish Hampton Preparatory School as a way of giving back to Nigeria, where they were both educated to university level.

    “I and Mrs Balogun went to university of Nigeria we graduated here. Like many Nigerians do, we travelled abroad.  We felt we need to give something back to Nigeria.  We were educated here and education was good then.  We looked at the fact that the very beginning of a child’s life is when education matters the most; but seems to be the most neglected. We thought this is an ideal opportunity to bring all that knowledge back,” said Mrs Hastrup.

    Mrs Balogun added: “For us it has been a success story.  We are happy with what we have achieved in England. It is this kind of success we want to bring to Lagos. When you are successful and growing, you suddenly become visible to the government. So in England, the local authorities are very interested in this group that is growing. The very first children centre was established in the U.K. 15 years ago,” she said.

    In running Hampton in Nigeria, Mrs Balogun said they intend to follow the model of their UK schools by keeping number of pupils small, 200.  The school will also be running the British curriculum – admitting children from as young as three months and grooming them through the nursery classes up till they are ready for secondary school.

    “We need parents to trust us and work with us. Once we have all the information concerning the child, we can work together to make sure that the child achieves success. That’s why we are keeping the school small. We found out that a lot of schools grow in size because of financial impart but that is not what we want; we have small classrooms. If the child is highly intelligent, we have gifted programmes for those kinds of children, we would make parents now that we are doing a curriculum to keep their self-esteem intact,” she said.

    Classrooms in the school located in Lekki Phase I estate, are furnished with age-appropriate furniture and equipped with colourful educational learning resources.

    To extend their influence beyond Hampton Preparatory School, Mrs Hastrup said their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy would be to replicate the quality in their school in public and smaller private schools in their environs through teacher training and volunteering to teach classes.

    “What we would do, the training is for free, and our motive is to capture communities as best as we can. We have a training school where we will train teachers for our school. We will invite teachers from community schools around to train for free,” said Mra Balogun.

    In future, the duo plan to plant many small Hampton Schools in Nigeria, thereby spreading their gospel of quality education, just like they have done in the UK.

  • Buhari lands in Abuja

    Buhari lands in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday afternoon arrived the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Buhari, who has been in the United Kingdom since May 7th on medical ground, landed at the airport around 4:35 p.m in Nigeria Air Force Plane 001

    He wore a  black coloured caftan and trousers with multicolored cap to match.

    Buhari arrived Abuja with his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Lawal Abubakar, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Bashir Bindawa, Chief Police Security Officer (CPSO), Abdulkareem Dauda, and Personal Assistant one, Mohammed Sabihu (Tunde) among others.

    He alighted from the plane and shook hands with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo before rendition of the National anthem.

    Buhari, after rendition of the National anthem, went round to shake hands with governors and top government officials who had formed a single file.

    He then departed for Presidential Villa by road.

    The governors at the airport to welcome him  included governors of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi, Abubakar Bello of Niger,  Nesom Wike of Rivers,  Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Deputy governor of Kaduna state, Mr Barnabas Bala.

    Among those at the airport to welcome the president included members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari as well as other presidential aides.

    Others at the airports are the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA) retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; the Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura and other dignitaries from and within Abuja.

    The President took a national salute from the Presidential Guards Brigade while cultural groups were also singing and dancing to welcome him back home.

  • WHY I’D HAVE REAL SEX IN A MOVIE -NOLLYWOOD ACTOR, KEVWE OGUNJE

    WHY I’D HAVE REAL SEX IN A MOVIE -NOLLYWOOD ACTOR, KEVWE OGUNJE

    Kevwe Ogunje is a Nigerian actor who has been acting in the United Kingdom and has won the prestigious BEFTTA award. The proud Warri-born actor recently returned to Nigeria and has been a choice of top movie producers in Nollywood. He speaks to ADENIYI ADEWOYIN in this interview.

    WHAT was growing up like for you, did you ever think you would one day end up as an actor?

    To be honest, I think I had the mindset of an entertainer growing up; I never really thought of other dreams and aspirations. Maybe I also wanted to be a computer engineer.

    How has your growing up influenced your career?

    If you grow up in Warri, you must be humorous, street smart and also society smart. I grew up in the midst of talented hardworking people.

    Does that mean you will be taking up comedy roles?

    (Laughs) I can do comedy role, but a posh type.

    Who were your major influences in the movie industry?

    RMD, Fred Amata, Joke Silver and many others

    You have gained quite a huge acceptance in the industry since you returned to Nigeria; did you expect this kind of acceptance?

    To be honest I had an open mind coming back to Nigeria, as a Warri Boy last last na draw, but the acceptance has been really great.

    There are over a thousand male actors in the industry right now, what makes you different from every other actor?

    Originality, pureness and maybe exposure will stand me out mixed with the Warri boy blood flowing in me.

    Who is your favourite Nollywood actor and why?

    RMD, he is just great and has challenged himself over and over again with different characters and roles and he murders most of them.

    Would you have real sex in a movie if the director wants you at your realest character interpretation?

    Jesuuuuuuuuuuuus!!! I doubt if I may be able to do that, but never say never; if the babe fine we fit close eye run things call am acting now lol

    What was it like winning one of Africa’s most prestigious awards in London BEFFTA awards?

    It was a dream come true. Myself and my team, we did not sleep for three days, because we did not want the award to vanish or even wake up from the sleep in case it was a dream. On a serious note it made me understand that hard work and smart work is the only way in whatever you do.

    With which film and role did you win BEFFTA award?

    For my series 2sides. Was a hit in the UK and on YouTube.

    How has social media helped promote your brand?

    It is cheap and almost free to start with, I cover a wide range of people and possible clients in one post from my comfort zone. It has greatly helped me financially and otherwise.

    What would you say about the UK Nollywood and the Nigerian Nollywood; are both contrasting with what you are used to?

    No main difference. In the UK, we have less known talents than in Nigeria. Every other thing is same, bureaucracy and politics all same.

    What would you say is the biggest problem facing the industry currently?

    No proper structure, no proper financial plan and investment in the creative sector.

    You featured in Jeta Amata’s American King, what was your role in the movie?

    I played court room extra in the Nigerian bit of the film- three scenes but the experience was amazing.

    What is the most challenging role you ever did as an actor and why?

    First time I was to kiss a lady in the film, London Na Wa. It was shot in London and I did not know how to give a wet kiss in front of camera. That was the most challenging I had faced.

    You recently signed on to a management agency. Tell us about your relationship with your new agency?

    They are just amazing; they help me in straightening out my growing career, publicity and decision wise in making my brand bigger and better.

    What is your most priced fashion item?

    I would say my Red beads, can’t do without them.

    As an MC, you hosted the Delta state governor son’s wedding, how was that feeling for you?

    First five minutes, I was confused and overwhelmed, but the rest is history. It was the perfect welcome I got in Nigeria to set the ball rolling.

    Now if you were to change one thing in Nollywood, what would it be?

    Equality and favoritism.

    How do you handle advances from female fans?

    If e no come then something is wrong somewhere. We flow well with it. At least no scandal has been recorded yet.

    Is Kevwe Ogunje in a relationship?

    Not anymore.

    When you are not on set or hosting events, how do you relax?

    No sleep for the wicked. My relaxation is actually working on a set, I love to be in that environment and once in a while I go to the cinema, which is basically the safest/ cheapest chill spot in Lagos

    What projects are you currently working on?

    Twisted, trying to syndicate it to TV. It is my second 13 episode sitcom which I produced and was directed by Ruke Amata.

    What are your aspirations for the remaining quarter of 2017?

    Get more busy, get more MC/hosting gigs, more TV and film sets

    What do you have to say to your growing fan base?

    Keep flying with me. I need you guys and let’s create and make magic. Love you guys so much.

  • ‘We can’t forget the anguish of Boko Haram victims’ – UK

    ‘We can’t forget the anguish of Boko Haram victims’ – UK

    The United Kingdom has said that it was difficult to forget the stories of anguish that Boko Haram terrorists perpetrated against innocent people in the northeast.

    The Permanent Representative of UK to the UN, Amb. Matthew Rycroft, stated this at the Security Council briefing on ‘Peace and Security in Africa’ with focus on Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Rycroft recalled the Council’s visit to the Lake Chad region in March, saying “I’m sure that none of us who are on that visit will forget the stories of anguish that we heard there”.

    “So many of them from mothers or daughters who had lost everything – their children, their families, their homes, their hope – all to Boko Haram. Sadly, it seems that these stories are still being told.

    “In spite of the efforts of the UN, and the AU and governments of the region, the suffering continues – with over two million people still displaced in the Lake Chad region; over 96 per cent of them because of the insurgency.”

    According to him, it was high time everything was done to break the cycle of violence being perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorists in the country.

    “Put simply Mr President, we need to break the cycle. And by we, I mean all of us, including this Security Council, but responsibility must fall, first and foremost, to the governments affected,” Rycroft said.

    “It means governments holding to account those who have committed these crimes; showing that there can be really no impunity and no escape; that the rule of law applies to everyone.

    “And we need to help them in that effort. And that’s why the UK, together with our UN and NGO partners, are supporting the Nigerian government to re-establish basic social services to areas they have stabilised.”

    “It’s why we provide training to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to African Peacekeeping contingents on protecting civilians and on preventing sexual and gender based violence,” the UK envoy said.

    He said at the heart of addressing the huge humanitarian challenges caused by the Boko Haram crisis meant women’s equality in all aspects of politics, government and society.

    “It’s unacceptable that women continue to be so poorly represented in formal governance and peace processes when time after time studies show that women’s participation in these processes aids their ultimate success.

    “In Nigeria, for instance, women’s participation in the House of Representatives and Senate has fallen since 2011; it now stands at around five per cent,” he said.

    The UK envoy advocated for the full, active participation of women saying “women have spent too long enduring and surviving these crises; it’s long past time for them to play their fullest part in solving them”.

    “I’m looking forward to Amina Mohammed’s briefing on her visit to Nigeria and to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, two crucial countries, including for the Women, Peace and Security agenda which was the reason for her visit that she will be briefing us on.

    “And on Northeast Nigeria, I was very glad to co-lead the Council there as part of our  Lake Chad Basin visit back in March.

    “One of the things that we concluded that it was important not to have a one off visit but to have a series of sustained engagement, really getting under the surface of the interconnected problems there.

    “It’s not just climate change, it’s not just terrorism, it’s not just governance, it’s not just a famine, it’s everything interconnected with everything else,” Rycroft said.

  • DFID announces grant to support Lagos low-cost schools

    DFID announces grant to support Lagos low-cost schools

    The United Kingdom Department for International Development’s (DFID), through its Developing Effective Private Education Nigeria (DEEPEN) Challenge Fund has announced 100, 000 Pounds grant to support viable business models aimed to improve quality of education in Lagos Low-Cost Private Schools (LCPS).

    The project is expected to improve access to teaching development initiatives and services and as well improving the financial performance of schools such as better fee payment mechanisms or access to finance for schools.

    In a statement issued by the DEEPEN Fund Team Leader, Akinwumi Oke, Wednesday in Abuja, it would provide the Lagos LCPS service providers an opportunity to support unconventional solutions to prolonged problems in the private education sector in the state, through the skill of private enterprise.

    “Grants will range from £10,000 to £100,000. Project activities funded by the fund must begin no later than 10th September 2017 and be completed by 15th March 2018,” she stated.

    Alawiye described the initiative as a platform to support great innovations designed by the Lagos State private schools’ proprietors, service providers and other entrepreneurs.

    It reads: “The concept at the heart of the Fund is ‘innovation’. The Fund team takes a broad view of innovation and encourages proposals that go well beyond ‘business as usual’ and challenges applicants to find new ways to improve the performance, governance and influence of their proposed intervention in the LCPS.”

    Prospective grantees were urged to provide relevant information such as; the scope of innovation, creativity and variety in the focus of proposals and in the nature of existing grantee partnerships with beneficiaries.

    They are expected to explain how proposals would deliver innovative and transformative changes that have a sustained impact on LCPS governance and learning improvements as well as the evidence of compliance with grant rules and the fit with thematic areas earlier identified.

    Other requirements included are company registration details and evidence of compliance with local regulations, established companies with a history of performance and scale.

    “We will consider investing in promising small start-ups where there is compelling evidence that the innovation will generate improved learning outcomes and there should be ability to deliver results by August 2018,” it read.

     

  • AIB, Unilorin sign agreement on usage of $5.8m lab

    AIB, Unilorin sign agreement on usage of $5.8m lab

    The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the usage of the bureau’s $5.8 million metallurgical laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement was signed by both parties at the AIB’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday.

    Mr Akin Olateru, the Commissioner of AIB, said at the signing ceremony that the partnership would be beneficial to the agency and the university.

    He said it was worrisome that both private and public business organisations expend little or no resources to funding of researches and projects in the country.

    According to him, Harvard University in the United States alone has in excess of $30 billion for research purposes.

    The commissioner said with adequate research, the country would benefit more.

    He explained that the vision of the management was to make the laboratory a world class facility where giant construction companies and countries like South Africa, United Kingdom and other European nations could come to conduct research.

    The AIB boss said the collaboration with the university would lead to the recognition of Nigeria as a serious nation in research in the international community.

    He maintained that usage of the facility would lead to human capital development in the country, while the laboratory would also give students more opportunity to practise whatever they had been taught in the classrooms.

    Olateru said :”This is a very important occasion for us and I believe University of Ilorin too should be proud of this occasion.

    ” I have about 30 years experience in aviation and this is the first that I know of, that an aviation agency is signing an MOU with any higher institution in this country for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “Let’s look at it very well, Federal Government owns AIB and University of Ilorin is equally owned by the federal government. Why can’t we collaborate?

    “I challenge every other agency to see how we can all collaborate. No more a stand-alone business. We should find a way how we can benefit on one and other.

    “You don’t need to have all the resources, competence or the technical expertise by yourself; it is all about collaboration,” he said.

    Olateru said that the agency hoped to lure more academic institutions to make use of the facility, stressing that it would also form part of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    On his part, the leader of the university’s delegation, Prof. Yinusa Jimoh, noted that it was the first time the institution would sign an MoU with any Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) in the country.

    He expressed the hope that it would be mutually benefitial to parties involved.

    Jimoh noted that Nigeria had a lot to gain from the partnership, stressing that rather than travel abroad for research, they would be able to do so with ease in the country.

    He enjoined other academic institutions in the country to take a cue from the institution by looking inward whenever they are conducting researches, stressing that this would also go a long way in curbing capital flight out of the country.

    “Nigeria has a lot to gain through this partnership because Nigerians go to every part of the world for research purposes.

    “We still send materials overseas when we are doing some research work. Our facilities still require improvement and this is a good facility for us; we are taking good opportunity of this.

    “We are looking for a place to improve our facilities and we have it now. By tomorrow, this thing that we are starting today will be a huge benefit for this country.

    “I can assure you that we are starting an agreement that would be sustained. It’s a win-win situation for all of us involved,” Jimoh said.