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Sell 9 Presidential Aircrafts- Buhari Orders + Inside Nigeria’s N60.53 presidential fleet

Published

10 years ago

June 19, 2015

President Buhari has frowned on the N60.53 billion splashed on acquisition of presidential fleet.

There are reports that President Buhari has directed that nine of the VIP transport aircraft under the presidential fleet should be sold as part of the federal government’s cost measures.

Industry sources said that the presidential fleet, which are registered as Nigerian Air Force aircraft, is one of the largest in Africa and the third largest in Nigeria after Arik Air and Aerocontractors.

According to a report by ThisDay, an aviation source, who is aware of the directive to sell the aircraft, said the presidency has a number of serviceable and unserviceable aircraft that need to be disposed of in order to reduce the amount spent by the federal government for aircraft maintenance annually.
“Nine, which still have market value, are to be sold immediately to reduce maintenance costs,” he said.
For years, the federal government has spent over N12 billion annually for the maintenance of the presidential fleet.

Although information on the exact size of the fleet is treated as classified information, the fleet, according to aviation sources, is believed to comprise about 16 aircraft, chief of which is the Boeing 738 BBJ, NAF 001 or Eagle One, used by the president for his travels.
With its luxury configuration comprising a master bedroom, washrooms and showers, a conference and dining area, and a living area, the plane seats 25 to 50 passengers and would cost at least $100 million to replace today.
Eagle One can spend 12 hours in the air, covering 11,489 kilomtres or 6,200 nautical miles.
In addition to the Boeing 733 reserved for the president, the fleet boasts two Gulfstream 550 jets. The Gulfstream 550 can seat eight to 18 passengers, depending on the configuration, and has a cruiser range of 12,501 kilometres or 6,750 nautical miles. A new luxury Gulfstream 550 would cost an estimated $53.5 million.

According to Wikipedia, other planes in the Nigerian Air Force VIP transport fleet include two Dassault Falcon 7X jets, one Hawker Siddeley 125-800 and one Cessna 550 Citation II.

Information from a Nigerian web portal and Nigerian Air Force sources further revealed that the fleet also boasts two Dassault Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream IVSP, a Gulfstream V, a Dornier Do 228, which can carry 19 passengers, one Beechcraft King Air B200, and three AugustaWestland AW139 helicopters.

Sources said each of the two Dassault Falcon 7X jets were purchased for $51.1 million in 2010 while the Gulfstream 550 cost $53.3 million.
Aviation experts also put the average price of the Falcon 900 at $35 million; Gulfstream IVSP at $40 million; Gulfstream V at $45 million; Cessna Citation at $7 million; and the Hawker Siddeley at $15 million.

It was also discovered that though all the aircraft are under the presidential fleet, about eight of the planes are reserved strictly for the president.

These are the Boeing 737, the two Gulfstream 550 jets, the Gulfstream V jet, two Falcons 7X planes, the Hawker Siddely aircraft and one Augusta Westland chopper.

Others are reserved for executive airlift. Aircraft used for this function include the two Falcon 900 planes, the Dornier, the Cessna Citation, the Beechracft King Air, and two Augusta Westland choppers.

Aircraft reserved for executive airlift are used by the Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and could be used to convey African heads of states visiting or departing Nigeria.

It would be recalled that Nigeria has spent a princely sum of about N60.53 billion (about $390.5 million) to assemble one of the world’s largest presidential fleets, according to a report in one of the country’s largest circulating dailies.

The report, published this morning in The Punch, said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s 10-aircraft Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) includes “two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and a Gulfstream IVSP. Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.

“Each of the Falcon 7X jets was purchased in 2010 at a cost of $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m.

“The factory price of the other aircraft in the fleet could not be obtained online. However, airline CEOs put the average price of the Falcon 900 at $35m; Gulfstream IVSP, $40m; Gulfstream V, $45m; Boeing 737 BBJ, $58m; Cessna Citation, $7m; and Hawker Siddley 125-800, $15m.”

On the cost of operating the fleet, the newspaper said: “Going by the fact that at least 15 per cent of this amount is spent annually on operating the PAF, it means about $58.57m (N9.08bn) is being spent annually on running the planes in the Nigerian PAF.”

Nigeria, according to the report, “happens to be one of the few countries in the world with a large PAF.”
Source: ThisDay

news

I want to replace Wike as the FCT minister, prophet Ikuru drops a bombshell

Published

6 minutes ago

March 3, 2025

Sahara Weekly

The prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has dropped a bombshell that he wants to replace the FCT minister Nyesom Wike and insisted that Tinubu must oust him.

Speaking to newsmen today in Lagos, prophet reiterated that he did enough for the president to merit the appointment “I did a lot for the Asiwaju movement and I’m contesting to become the governor of Lagos state,I arranged the deal between Wike and the president so that he could work for Tinubu,Wike is not a member of our party,I deserve to be the FCT minister and I want that portfolio,I want to state it emphatically that the relationship between Wike and Mr.president was made possible by me,i want to replace Wike, I’m the one that deserves it”

Prophet Ikuru also used the opportunity to felicitate pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God as he celebrates his 83rd birthday .

news

Alhamudulilahi, says Egungbohun @55

Published

17 hours ago

March 3, 2025

Sahara Weekly

On my way to his Ilaro-Yewa office to wish him well on his imminent 55th birthday celebration—about ten feet away from the doorstep of his Mosque where he had gone to say his Fajr Salah prayer—I was about to prostrate before him.

He wouldn’t carry his esteemed charisma; he makes people feel at home with him anywhere, anytime; not only while bowing before Allah (Ruku), facing the Kaaba in Mecca!

The Chairman, IBD Impex Ltd, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun, the Olu-Omo of Yewaland, is known for his live and let live lifestyle; his humility is enviable to all persons of genuine godliness.

Before I could complete the prostration process, “how are you Simon?”, he drew me up. Good morning sir, May Allah accept your prayers sir, “amen”, he said. “Let’s go into the office”, he directed.

It was some minutes to seven o’clock. Sat on a cream coloured leather sofa, he offered me the seat to his right while seated his cousin, Prince Babatunde Elegbede, on the left sofa.

The four walls of his office, in addition to a well spacious space dedicated to seating of Honours, were filled with Awards of Competitive Importance. Those received within Nigeria were competing favourably with lots of captivating Laurels offered from overseas.

I couldn’t remove my gaze in time from one of the photographic frames which portrays the renowned Customs Comptroller General, Col Hameed Ali Ibrahim (Rtd) dressed in the Same sparkling White Kaftan attire with Chief Ibrahim Egumgbohun, the famous IBD Dende.

Individuals who had accepted the arrest rumour at that time may have to fact-check their sources. After reading this, they may have to consider contacting the former CGC to confirm whether Chief Egungbohun was his arrested suspect or invited stakeholder? The Portrait in his office remains a sight to behold.

Perhaps, Chief Egungbohun understood my admiration for the photograph. He allowed some minutes so that my eyes may feed to satisfaction on the portrait. Then, he asked, “anything about the picture”? I said, some people must see this. He said, “if you think so”.

I greeted him again, and said, I am here wishing you happy birthday in advance sir, your 55th birthday coming up in the next eleven days, he nodded in affirmation.

My visit mainly was to x-tray his mindset over the unprintable names that “a cabal of dissidents” called him, starting some days to his last birthday.

I wanted to know to what extent the “defamation” has disturbed, destabilized or discouraged him from continuing his nature as a provider of succour to the needy.

He was ready to respond. He said, “Aburo, my belief is that Allah is the Ultimate Sustainer; He guides, protects, delivers and blesses”.

“On the issue of helping people, don’t go there. Except Allah, no other persons or things of discouragement can stop me from giving my widow’s mite to the underprivileged.

“I always tell you. I am not wealthy. It is just the way Allah wired me, simple!

“You know, in addition to my Freight business, I think you know the farms. Me, I can’t stop giving”.

Speaking further about what I can describe as his 2024 ordeal, he said, “Once you know the ulterior motives behind any challenges facing you, then such challenge is almost gone. The propagandists knew about my good relationship with the Presidency. Those sponsored propaganda published against me was apparently a fight-back by the oppositions of the government, especially those against the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Service Chiefs. They alleged that the NPF, NCS, NA, and even the DSS aided the smuggling of contrabands laden trucks tagged, ‘Headquarters Movement’ for the use of bandits and terrorists.

“All those lies they told against me, using me as a lead, to discredit—in their own silly imaginations—the whole security architecture of this Sovereign Nation, all in their bids to cause anarchy in the land, Haba! Unfortunately, this Nigeria is our only Country.

“What else can I say? In the same year that all those things happened was the year I was honoured with several recognitions for patriotism and exemplary leadership across developmental strides in the society, among which were an Award of Excellence on “Community Leadership and Border Sanity” by NUJ Osun State Council, held at the Council’s Secretariat, Osogbo and the most recent Fellowship of the ICT Polytechnic, Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota LGA, Ogun State, under the leadership of Dr Abiodun Oluseye, relying on my Community Development services.

“Yes, I am a business man of about four decades in this country. They can’t erase the fact that God has been for me, as I have been ensuring that I operate within the arms of the law.

“Just as I told you last year, ‘ẹni tó bá sá bọ̀tì ló máa bẹ̀rù òjò’. I so believe in the fact that ‘Òtítọ́ ló máa lékè, àti pé ẹni tó bá jẹ gbì ì ló máa kú gbì ì’.

“Today, a year later, though the case is in Court, but upon all their sponsored machinations and falsehood, Nigeria is growing; both in economy and security wise. Infact, President Tinubu is proud of the Nigeria Customs Service led by CGC Adewale Bashir Adeniyi MFR.

“The icing on the cake is that the Service surpassed the target given to it by the Presidency by over ₦1trn, remitted a huge sum of ₦6.1trn.

Recently, they were looking for ways to hang the tragic assassination of Yomi Adetula on me, saying he was their key witness in the Libel Lawsuit I filed against them. Imagine their level of extreme cruelty!

“For the sole reason that I have never been a gun runner, nor have I had anything to do with assassins but a patriotic, God fearing and kind hearted Nigerian businessman, Allah will continue to shame whoever chooses to join their cabal of dissidents, no two ways about it”.

“All I can say as I am clocking 56 is Alhamudulilahi!

“On my birthday, the 3/3/25, God willing, as usual, my families, colleagues and a few of you, my media friends will join me to say thank you Allah for continuing to be my Sustainer”.

Pinned to a reporter’s Diary, SIMON FAKEYE’s visit to Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun, the IBD Dende, yielded more wisdom, reemphasizing life’s positivity in the face of challenges, giving flight to my dream as a media professional to continue to diffuse smear campaigns by sticking to the truth, regardless of the circumstances.

religion

Prophetic Warnings Intensify: Prophet Kingsley Aiyafo’s Alarming Revelations on the Vatican, Akpabio, and Others

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Pro. Kingsley’s Prophetic Warning On Italy Came To Pass

Prophetic Warnings Intensify: Prophet Kingsley Aitafo’s Alarming Revelations on the Vatican, Akpabio, and Others

Renowned seer, Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, has once again ignited global concern with his prophetic warnings—many of which appear to be manifesting with chilling accuracy. His latest revelations have sent shockwaves through both the spiritual and political landscapes, raising urgent calls for prayer and divine intervention.

A Looming Vatican Shake-Up: Is the Pope’s Seat in Jeopardy?

In a dire prophecy, Prophet Aitafo forewarned that the seat of the Pope is about to be replaced, hinting at an imminent and possibly controversial shift within the Vatican. As whispers of internal tensions and unforeseen challenges grow, the world watches closely. Could the Catholic Church be on the brink of an unprecedented leadership crisis? The prophecy looms large, and the possibility of fulfillment appears more tangible than ever.

Akpabio and Natasha: A Political Showdown with Dire Consequences?

Prophet Aitafo also delivered a stern warning concerning Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging urgent prayers to avert disgrace. The prophecy now takes an even more dramatic turn as Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appear to be heading toward a fierce political confrontation. Tensions are escalating, with signs of a power struggle that could have far-reaching implications. Could this unfolding battle mark the beginning of a dramatic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape? With uncertainty thick in the air, the need for spiritual vigilance has never been more pressing.

Alakija: A Battle Over Sight and Health Concerns

Among the most alarming prophecies is the warning concerning billionaire businesswoman Folorunso Alakija, who has been cautioned about serious eyesight complications. Though details remain scarce, murmurs of health concerns are surfacing, raising questions about the gravity of the prophecy. Could this be a crucial moment for urgent medical attention and intercessory prayers? The urgency surrounding her well-being continues to grow, and those close to her are being urged to take swift action.

Urgent Calls for Divine Intervention

With these prophecies seemingly coming to pass at an alarming rate, followers of Prophet Aitafo are calling for immediate spiritual action. Whether in political upheavals, leadership transitions, or personal afflictions, the accuracy of his revelations continues to unsettle both religious and secular communities alike.

As events unfold, will the world bear witness to the full manifestation of these divine warnings? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Prophet Kingsley Aitafo’s visions are demanding global attention like never before.