society
NCAA Clashes With Senate Committee Over Alleged N2Billion Wasinmi Cargo Airport
NCAA Clashes With Senate Committee Over Alleged N2Billion Wasinmi Cargo Airport
Abuja- The Director of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Shuaibu Nuhu on Tuesday, told the Senate that the NCAA was not aware of the existence of a cargo airport in Wasinmi for which President Muhammadu Buhari earlier ordered the release of a N 2billion for its construction.
Captain Nuhu said that the agency was only aware of the existence of an airport in Sagamu, maintaining his stance even when Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah read a memo from the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika on the federal government approval for a grant of N2billion for the Wasinmi airport.
Nuhu’s persistent denial of the memo led to sharp arguments among Senators in the ongoing investigation by the Senate Committee on Aviation into the N2 billion Presidential grant for a cargo airport at Wasimi in Ogun State.
The Senator representing Ogun West, Tolu Odebiyi, who incidentally was Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun however offered clarification as he said the proposed airport in Wasinmi was a passenger’s airport, not cargo airport.
“The NCAA was part and parcel of the project and necessary approval was sought and given for Wasinmi. It was not possible to put the agency in the dark about the project.”
But the Senator representing Lagos West and Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Olamilekan Adeola, faulted the explanation offered by Senator Odebiyi, citing the documents presented to the Committee by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
“Yes, the Minister of Aviation is in the picture but the Senate Committee and NCAA aren’t aware, we don’t have the documents. We have listened to you (NCAA) and you have established that you have a record for Sagamu airport, not Passenger airport at Wasinmi,” Senator Adeola noted.
Senator Adeyemi in his remarks however said the Ogun state government has the financial capacity to run two airports.
In a related development, the NCAA has explained reasons it suspended the operations of Azman Airlines, insisting that it is over safety concerns arising from the airline’s repeated disregard for industry standards and regulations.
Nuhu who maintained that the NCAA was doing its best to safeguard lives through surveillance and reprimand of erring airline operators further revealed that one of the local airlines, Azman was suspended because of a glaring breach of safety regulations.
He said:” We are doing all the best we can to comply with our mandates, and we do whatever is necessary to ensure safety.
“We have successfully managed the industry. Anytime we see any issue that is of concern to us, last night we suspended the operations of Azman, until we conclude the security and financial audit and compliance with civil aviation regulations. Until we are satisfied, they can’t resume operation.”
Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation and Senator representing Kebbi South, Ibn Na’ Allah however expressed reservation over the action of the NCAA.
He said the step taken by the aviation regulatory agency could cause panic in the industry. He specifically demanded what he called compelling issues that instigated the pronouncements of the NCAA.
He said: “It was wrong to ground operations without a very compelling reason. If there are incidents, it must be directly related to discrepancies in their operations. Are they related to breach of safety regulations, breach of Civil Aviation Regulations?
“We are interested in knowing what are the compelling issues. We need to be careful in exercising those powers. I am not faulting your operations. Grounding operations without compelling factors could create panic in the industry.
“You also know that the industry is heavily regulated. You can’t ground an airline, except they breach aviation rules. It could be non-compliance with equipment and facilities. You know the implication because tomorrow somebody will say people shouldn’t fly Azman because of your pronouncements. Of course, you have the power to ensure that they operate safely.”
The DG, NCAA in his defence gave detailed accounts of several incidents of breach of professional procedures and guidelines in the last six weeks by the management of Azman.
He said:” They have had incidents of tyre bursts within six weeks. They are issues of professional procedures, guidelines weren’t being followed. “
He recalled several attempts to make the operator of Azman airline sit up.
” We encouraged them to continue operations but resolved to do surveillance around their operations.
“But it is of concern to me, if you continue to have a similar problem. It will be irresponsible and criminal for us not to take action. Our action isn’t to kill the airline but to identify the problem and take necessary measures.”
Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, sympathised with the operators as he noted that they are operating under severe financial pressures.
“We know what has affected the industry, the impact of COVID-19. If you look at that and the kind of safety and maintenance measures, which are all dollar-dominated, the operators must be under severe financial pressures.
“But we need to know how they are coping. How do we get assurance that all the participants are getting the necessary support and if need be what could be done?”
Senator representing Ekiti South, Abiodun Olujinmi, said Nigerians were justified in their apprehension however appealed to the DG, NCAA not to relent in pushing for adherence to safety regulations.
“Nigerians are losing confidence. You have established the fact that there is maintenance issue. You need to be on top of the game and the rule is money. If there is something we can do as a Committee, let us know.”
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adeyemi, Smart Adeyemi however commended the NCAA for seizing the initiative to axe Azman.
“The step you took was right but we were worried because the particular airline belongs to the President of the operators.”
He further restated his appeal to the present administration to continue to give incentive to the operators. “We may have to have an interaction with the Central Bank of Nigeria, ” he said.
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoWhy Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”
-
society6 months agoPower is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
-
society5 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news6 months agoTHE APPOINTMENT OF WASIU AYINDE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AMBASSADOR SOUNDS EMBARRASSING