Aviation Ministry Plans to Re-Model Eleven Airports

Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Odua

The Federal Ministry of Aviation has disclosed that it is set to embark on re-modelling of additional 11 airports as soon as the first set of 11 currently undergoing re-modelling is completed and the airports commissioned by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

Disclosing this on Thursday, the Director of Cargo Development, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Rowland Uchenna Ofubue, who was in Jos, Plateau State, to have discussion with the state government on the preparedness for the commencement of the Agro-Cargo operation of the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, added that President Goodluck Jonathan is determined to pursue his transformation through the Nigerian Aviation industry.

He added that the pressure for remarkable transformation from the Presidency has made all stakeholders in the industry under the leadership the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Odua to be on their feet towards achieving the transformation dream, noting that “for the first time in the history of the industry, 11 Airports are undergoing re-modelling exercise simultaneously.”

Mali: Jonathan Off to Cote d’Ivoire for ECOWAS Meeting

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim

President Goodluck Jonathan leaves for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire Thursday for an Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government ahead of the full deployment of the community’s troops to Mali.

Some Nigerian troops are billed for Mali this week as a global coalition mounts pressure on the Islamist insurgents in a bid to reclaim the country.

Two Fuel –Laden Tankers Explodes in Lagos Loading Bay

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

In what seems like a season of fire in Lagos State, pandemonium ensued today at Waterworks Road, off Liverpool, Apapa, when two tankers fully loaded with petroleum products exploded in a loading bay belonging to Petrol-Cargo Limited.

The fire is coming barely days after the state’s City Mall in Alausa, Ikeja caught fire and weeks after the MRS Tank Farm in Apapa, was gutted by fire.

As at press time, concerted efforts by the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA), the state Fire Service, the Merchant Navy and the Nigeria Police, proved abortive as the fire continued to rage.

Damilola Taylor’s Killer Back in Jail for the Third Time

Damilola Taylor

Like a recidivist that he is, one of Damilola Taylor's killers is back to where he seems to belong: the prison. He was sent to prison for a third time Wednesday after he was arrested for another crime.

Ricky Preddie, 25, was taken into custody after police found a stolen motorbike at his bail hostel in Richmond, Surrey.

Recruitment Saga: Immigration Boss Was Not Sacked, Nor Punished says Moro

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro

 

The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro has clarified that the immediate past Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma was neither sacked nor singled out for punishment.

Moro in a text message told THISDAY Wednesday that contrary to wide held belief that the immigration boss was sent packing because of the alleged secret recruitment exercise; but rather she only proceeded on routine disengagement leave.

It would be recalled that Uzoma was on Tuesday ordered to vacate her position and hand over the helm of affairs to the  most senior Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Mr. Rilwan Bala Musa, who will act as Comptroller General, NIS pending the appointment of a substantive CG of Immigration

Oil Thieves Blame Government for Stealing Crude

An illegal refinery

 

The wooden fishing boat navigating Nigeria's mangrove swamps is powered by a generator balanced above its volatile cargo.

Shimmering crude oil fills its hull, almost indistinguishable from the polluted water in the creek.

John Momoh’s Rescue Mission for Oldest Police College

 The police college building in its dilapidated state

A veteran broadcaster and the Chairman, Channels Television,  Mr. John Momoh has rolled up his sleeves, determined to help the police get essential training needs for efficiency in their job delivery, writes Adeola Akinremi

“Imagine when there is any accidental discharge by an officer and someone died, the police officer is shouted at and even arrested or mobbed. But how many people do know that we have a firing range that is moribund at the Police College and in most cases an officer undergoing training may not have had the opportunity to perfect his/her skill at firing range before being given the uniform and a gun.  In another instance when police officers arrive to deal with an accident or robbery, they have to make some quick decisions, prepare evidence reports amongst other things. 

Chelsea Clinton Gets High-profile Inaugural Role

Chelsea Clinton

 

 

Chelsea Clinton is returning to Washington—this time in a leadership role. The former first daughter has been named the Honorary Chair of the 2013 National Day of Service and will headline a summit on the National Mall on Saturday to launch President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

Sanusi Wants Arewa, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, JNI, CAN Banned

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

In another no-holds-barred social commentary bound to raise dust, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Monday night, called for the ban of Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Jos Killings: FG, Military Charged to Investigate Soldiers’ Complicity

Governor Jonah Jang

The Berom Youth Molders (BYM) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the protracted security challenges in Riyom , Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State before it gets out of hand, warning that a stitch in time saves nine.

The group, which addressed the press in Jos on Wednesday afternoon also stressed that if this ugly trend is allowed to continue unabated the doom of the Berom Nation is imminent.

The chairman of the group, Rwang Dantong said  the spate of attacks and killings in the Berom land is getting more and more momentum even as the attacks appear to be more ferocious now than ever before.