Connect with us

Politics

RE: ON ICAO’S DAMNING REPORT ON NIGERIAN AIRSPACE SECURITY.

Published

on

Keyamo

RE: ON ICAO’S DAMNING REPORT ON NIGERIAN AIRSPACE SECURITY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— A REPLY TO ONE ILIYASU GADU WHO HAS BEEN HIRED TO ATTACK FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN

 

 

 

 

 

Tunde Moshood

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That We are aware that a certain former Minister met with some so-called ‘online influencers’ and some hack writers in Abuja some weeks ago and the agenda was simply on how to generate comments, articles and editorials and plant them in various media against no other person than the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN to water down the efforts he’s presently making to reposition the aviation sector as mandated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

 

 

 

 

RE: ON ICAO’S DAMNING REPORT ON NIGERIAN AIRSPACE SECURITY. 

 

 

 

 

They have since embarked on a well-oiled campaign of calumny against the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN CON, FCIarb (UK). This coordinated attack is clearly driven by their total discomfort over the Honourable Minister’s commendable performance and focus on key issues in that sector which has confounded even his fiercest critics.

 

 

 

 

 

So, we know where Iliyasu Gadu is coming from.

 

Of course, the push-back by the reactionary forces should be expected. Beneficiaries of the old, decadent order will hardly ever give up old privileges without a fight. But, definitely, in the eyes of right-thinking Nigerians, the honourable minister is doing a damn good patriotic job by restoring the culture of sanity, efficiency and accountability in the aviation sector, consistent with President Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda.

 

In the last few weeks, the paymaster and his hirelings wrote and planted an editorial in one of the nation’s major dailies complaining about Keyamo’s alleged ‘interference’ in what they see as ‘regulatory issues on safety’. Apparently pained by the wide applause that has greeted the Minister’s bold initiatives both in the media and civic space, these disgruntled elements decided to generate a laughable and warped ‘fact-check’ on the stated achievements with a view to discrediting them. But knowledgeable folks who read the so-called ‘fact-check’ only laughed out so loud that they could not help but call for another fact-check to check the fact-checker!

 

In the latest baseless criticism, Iliyasu Gadu referred to Mr. Keyamo as ‘embattled’. Haba! Who could be more embattled than his paymaster who has been running from pillar to post to clear himself of barrage of corruption charges, ineptitude during his tenure and fraudulent projects he embarked upon?

 

The Honourable Minister has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and strategic acumen, earning him accolades and admiration from members of the public. Any attempt to discredit him, particularly by a former Minister whose reputation is already tarnished, is not only baseless but also a desperate bid to deflect from his own failures.

 

“Alarmist” Gadu’s spurious claims, particularly regarding the ICAO score, are unfounded. The recent 71% ICAO score is a reflection of systemic issues inherited from previous administration, and not as a result of Mr. Keyamo’s stewardship of just nine months. It was Mr. Keyamo’s brilliance and managerial expertise that steered the nation through the ICAO audit process, mitigating what could have been worse situation. Mr. Keyamo has since set up a Ministerial team, headed by himself and to be meeting monthly, to prepare for the next audit, something never done before in the sector. In fact, in Gadu’s confused state, on the one hand, he blames Mr. Keyamo for the ICAO’s score which happened under Keyamo’s watch (he feels Mr. Keyamo could have done more to remedy the situation), yet in the same breath, he criticises Mr. Keyamo for ‘interference’ in regulatory matters. Haba! He needs to clear his head properly and further consult his paymaster as to whether they should criticise Mr. Keyamo for safety issues or tell Mr. Keyamo to totally keep off safety issues.

 

Furthermore, on the issue of the Abuja second runway and the land dispute with the Jiwa Community, the facts speak for themselves. The head of the Jiwa Community himself, HRH Dr. IDRIS MUSA (MFR) (Sarkin jiwa), at different public fora openly acknowledged the sterling role Mr. Keyamo played the moment he assumed office in resolving the major part of the issues, allowing the contractors to immediately move to site. He was ably assisted by his counter-part in the FCT Ministry. This information is readily available and corroborated by numerous sources, contrary to the misleading narratives propagated by “Alarmist” Gadu and his cohorts. And at no point did he claim to have resolved, singlehanded, the issue. It is purely an Inter-Ministerial synergy between the FCT and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. So what’s the basis of the fact-check agenda for? Envy or vendetta?

 

Regarding the payment of backlog of funds owed to foreign airlines, the Honourable Minister’s diplomatic engagements were pivotal in resolving an issue that had threatened to paralyze the nation’s aviation sector, inflicting untold hardship and financial stress on the travelling public. His efforts, both domestically and internationally, underscore his commitment to the sector’s growth and stability. It was clear that he worked closely with the CBN to highlight the importance of prioritising his sector and the CBN heeded his passionate plea and responded. So, the question is: if the CBN itself has not disputed his claims, who are these faceless fellows disputing his claim?

 

The claim that the Air Peace Lagos- Gatwick route was secured during the last administration is equally laughable. The CEO of AIR PEACE himself, Allen Onyeama, went round media houses, reeling out the various efforts of Mr. Keyamo to make this happen, including several trips to the UK and the pressure he put on the UK authorities. That is hearing from the proverbial horse’s mouth. As reported by Daily Independent Newspapers on January 27, 2024, Mr. Keyamo led a delegation to the United Kingdom to tidy up the final conversations of the Airpeace London Gatwick operations. Here’s the link, https://independent.ng/fg-reinstates-commitment-towards-supporting-nigerian-airlines-growth/. It is, therefore, foolhardy of anyone to suggest that the Minister needs another meeting with his UK counterpart after the inaugural flight. Of what relevance will that be?

 

In summary, the baseless attacks orchestrated by Iliyasu Gadu and his cohorts are a feeble attempt to malign Honourable Minister Keyamo. It is clearly the voice of Esau and the hand of Jacob. Such efforts will not deter the Minister from his mission to enhance the aviation sector and deliver on his mandate. The public is encouraged to see through these unfounded allegations and recognize the significant strides being made under Minister Keyamo’s leadership.

 

We advise Iliyasu and his gang of “influencers” that Mr. Keyamo is an old war-horse in various battles for many decades now and they are very much welcome to this one.

 

 

Tunde Moshood

SA Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Politics

Donald Trump literally MURDERED Joe Biden in their 90 minute encounter last night By FFK

Published

on

Donald Trump literally MURDERED Joe Biden in their 90 minute encounter last night By FFK

Donald Trump literally MURDERED Joe Biden in their 90 minute encounter last night.

 

It was a horror show for the Dems and it ended in the total and complete massacare and annihilation of their feeble, ailing, mumbling, weak, disconnented, stuttering, verbally incomprehensible, mentally vacant and utterly lost presidential candidate.

Donald Trump literally MURDERED Joe Biden in their 90 minute encounter last night By FFK

I believe the greatest disservice that Bidens handlers did to him was to allow him to participate in that debate.

 

If I didn’t despise him as much as I do I would feel sorry for Joe and I assure you that he has NO chance of being re-elected as President in five months time.

 

He came across as a confused, bungling, fumbling idiot who had NO idea about what he was saying or doing.

 

He is not only a great danger to America but he is also a great danger to the world.

 

He did not need a debate last night and neither does he need to run for President: what he needs are prayers and a good doctor and what the Dems need is a new candidate to replace him.

I thank God for the timely, dramatic and remarkable return of Donald J. Trump to the world stage.

We missed him sorely and we need him now more than ever!

 

He WILL be elected as America’s next President and he may yet save the world from WW3.

(FFK)

Continue Reading

Politics

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS GROWTH, OGUN COMMISSIONER TASKS MSME OPERATORS

Published

on

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS GROWTH, OGUN COMMISSIONER TASKS MSME OPERATORS

The Ogun State Government has charged operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage the various initiatives of the present administration geared towards boosting their businesses.

This admonition was given by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela at the hybrid stakehokders engagement meeting with MSMEs operators as well as Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) held at Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta and on digital platform.

Sofela said the State government had implemented strategic reforms and initiatives aimed at improving business-enabling environment and increase private sector investments.

He said the reforms were structured to reduce the cost and time to complete business processes, adding that the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration introduced incentives, streamlined business registration processes through automation.

The Commissioner also pointed out that the State government included MSMEs in government contracts with improved access to finance to create a more conducive environment for entrepreneurs.

Sofela further said that the government was promoting digital literacy and adoption of e-commerce platforms among entrepreneurs through partnership with technological companies to provide affordable digital tools and learning to ensure the MSMEs operators in the State are not left behind.

He also mentioned that significant investment had been made in developing industrial parks and business hub and economic zones just as he made reference to the Small Scale industries Land Acquisition Schemes (SILAS) in Ijebu Isiwo, which he said was an initiative of the present administration envisioned to serve as a catalyst for business growth.

“We have introduced various funding windows like the Ogun SME Financial Empowerment Scheme to address the prevailing challenges confronting enterpreneurs and lack of access to finance as well as high cost associated with business operations.

“We are committed to building the capacity of our MSMEs having realized the need for enhanced skills and knowledge in business management, financial planning and marketing among our MSMEs,” Sofela said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, appreciated the stakeholders for their collaboration, just as he solicited for their cooperation towarss achieving more milestones.

According to him, the Prince Abiodun led government had many more lofty initiatives in the offing and you are expected to key into it any time we call on you.

In his remarks, the National President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr. Femi Egbesola, who described Sofela as an SME-friendly Commissioner, assured the government of the support of small business owners in the State.

The meeting had in attendance the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Ogun State Signage Agency (OGSAA), Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS), Association of Nigerian Women in Business Network (ANWBN).

Others were Cobblers and Leather Artisans Association of Nigeria, Association of Skill and Vocational Artisans Association of Nigeria (ASVAN), Ogun State Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), among others.

 

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS GROWTH, OGUN COMMISSIONER TASKS MSME OPERATORS

Continue Reading

Politics

Court Restrains Governor Aliyu From Sacking Sokoto Monarchs

Published

on

Court Restrains Governor Aliyu From Sacking

Court Restrains Governor Aliyu From Sacking Sokoto Monarchs

 

As dethronement of traditional rulers continue to generate controversies in Sokoto, the state Higher Court sitting, on Wednesday, issued an order restraining Governor Ahmed Aliyu from sacking two out 15 traditional rulers already removed by the government.

The orders were sought separately by Alhaji Buhari Dahiru Tambuwal and Alhaji Abubakar Kassim, the District Heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe respectively.

They were among the 15 traditional rulers earlier removed by the Sokoto State government, on the allegation of insurbodination and aiding insecurity in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed, however ordered the Governor of Sokoto State, his Attorney General and the
Sokoto Sultanate Council to revert to status quo, pending the determination of the suite filed before him by the complainants, who were represented by Prof Ibrahim Abdullahi SAN.

Justice Ahmed through two orders directed the defendants, their agents servants, privies or assigns or any person acting on their behalves to “maintain status quo and stay all actions and further actions in connection with all matters dealing with and or appertaining to the removal and or dethronement of Districts Heads in Sokoto State”, particularly those of Kebbe and Tambuwal, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction duly filed by the two before the court.

The Governor’s Bill
This development is coming in the wake of bill presented to the state House of Assembly by the governor seeking for the amendment of the state Local Government Law, affecting the appointment and disposition of District and village heads and to confer on him exclusive powers to appoint and dethrone traditional rulers in the state.

The sacking of 15 district heads and the proposed bill sent to the state Assembly has generated swift reactions and heated debate across the state and the country, with recent warning to the state government by Vice President, Kashim Shettima while calling on the Sokoto State Government to regard the Sultanate as an institution that must be respected, preserved and protected.

Also, former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in his reaction, demanded that traditional institutions must be protected from the “excesses of state governors”.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in two separate statements, warned Ahmed Aliyu to shelve the idea of removing the Sultan of Sokoto or whittling his powers and insisting that the Governor was targeting the monarch and planning to create a parallel Sultanate Council under the guise of the new law.

Sokoto State Legislature has last Wednesday, passed the bill to its second reading and refered the matter to a House Committee.

A public hearing on the controversial bill is scheduled for Tuesday next week.

 

 

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending