News
Access Bank speaks on Herbert Wigwe’s death
Access Bank Plc has reacted to reports of death of its Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in California, USA.
Wigwe, who has been feared killed in a helicopter crash was said to be with his wife, son, and a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
The bank in a statement posted on its X handle on Sunday said it has received numerous inquiries concerning the crash and is working with the US authorities for updates.
“We have received numerous inquiries concerning an airplane crash in the USA. Presently, we lack specific information; however, we are actively collaborating with US authorities who will furnish updates.
“Your understanding and support are valued, and we commit to keeping you informed promptly as we receive updates on the situation.”
Wigwe, his wife and others onboard the ill-fated helicopter are reported to have been en route to Boulder City, Nevada from Palm Springs, California, on Friday night when it crashed at about 10 pm, near a small town in California’s Mojave Desert.
This development has dashed the hope of many Nigerians who planned to fly to the country to watch the final match.
There has been an outcry over the high airfare to Abidjan, which is less than one hour, 30 minutes from Lagos.
Nigeria’s Air Peace, Asky and Air Côte d’Ivoire, are few of the airlines flying to Abidjan.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that a one-way ticket from the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) costs between N890,000 to N1.2million, while a return ticket costs over N2m, depending on the airline.
Checks on the website of Asky on Saturday indicated that a one-way fare is 1,229,811 for Sunday’s flight when the final match would be played, while the same flight costs N890,000.
On Air Côte d’Ivoire, the flight was priced at $913, which is over N1.3m at N1,450 to a dollar.
Yesterday, a Professor of Law, Joy Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), decried the price of flight ticket to Abidjan, saying she dreamt of watching the AFCON match live but was shocked with the price of the return ticket, which is estimated at over N2.1m.
She wrote, “I am dreaming of watching AFCON 2024 live and I enquired about flights to Abidjan to watch our Super Eagles play in the final. I believed that Ivory Coast, being so close (an hour and 35 minutes) wouldn’t cost me too much. However, my travel agent of over 20 years sent me a price quotation of N2,183,000.00, which was a huge shock. I did the math and realised that I would need to save my five months’ salary as a Professor of Law on the last professional step to buy one return ticket to a West African country.
“This is a sad reflection of our current economic realities. Please refrain from attempting to convert to US dollars, it is extremely depressing and demystifying of a full professor position. This will push the resolve of brilliant young ones we are training and mentoring to take over from us farther away from the classrooms to becoming political aspirants/election delegates.
She, however, pointed out that she had made an alternative plan which includes recharging her DSTV at N19,800, and to buy 20 litres of fuel to generate power because they didn’t have electricity during the semifinal match.
“The struggle continues! Good luck to our Super Eagles! You are in my thoughts and prayers,” she stated.
However, an aviation management consultant, Babatunde Adeniji, said with the huge demand for flight to Abidjan, the value of a seat on the route also increased.
“Demand and supply of must-watch mean that each seat becomes so much more valuable. The demand and supply principle states that because of this final match, which is coming up just once, the value of your seat has gone up. If you throw a bid now on a 120-seat aircraft for all Nigerians to bid for seats, you know some people would bid much more than this amount you are even talking about, and that’s what is happening with ticketing,” he said.
News
Just in: FG begins recruitment into Federal Civil Service
The Federal Government has begun hiring for various positions within the Federal Civil Service.
The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) announced on January 26, 2025, that Nigerians interested in these roles can apply through the commission’s official website.
Applicants are required to submit their applications for only one position.
Those applying should upload several documents, including their CV, academic certificates, NYSC certificate, birth certificate, and passport photo.
People with disabilities should also mention the nature of their condition in their applications.
The application portal is open until March 10, 2025, for interested candidates.
The statement read:
“The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) is receiving applications for various vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.
“The vacancy announcement is published on the Commission’s website: www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng and in the Sun, Daily Trust and The Nation newspaper of Monday 27th January 2025.
“Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: https://recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng.
“Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.
“Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable:
i. Curriculum Vitae
ii. Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate
iii. Degree/HND/NCE Certificate
iv. WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate
v. Primary School Certificate
vi. NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate
vii. Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age
viii. Local Government Identification
ix. Recent Passport photograph
“All applications are to be submitted on or before Monday, 10th March, 2025.
News
Just in: Ex-President Buhari opens up on his health status
Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari has opened up about his health since leaving office on May 29, 2023.
Buhari confirmed that his health is better now since he left office in 2023.
While in office as President, Buhari was plagued by illness which led to him being flown abroad for medical attention.
He handed over to Bola Tinubu after serving his two terms as President.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders’ meeting at the Katsina State Government House, Buhari suggested that the complexities of being the President of Nigeria affected his health.
“Those outside the corridors of power do not understand the complexities and difficulties facing Nigeria.
“My health has improved since leaving office. People who visited me told me I look better than before.”
News
Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Fed Constituency Communities rejoice as Rep Agbo attracts 21 class rooms, ICT Halls+Photos
Community and educational leaders in Amalla, Udenu local government area and other communities in Igbo-Eze North council area have made accolades on their House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon Dennis Nnamdi AGBO, for attracting and completing the construction and reconstructions of various classroom blocks in their secondary schools.
Commissioning the facilities by the Governor of Enugu state who was represented by the state Commission for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, different community leaders and school Principals paid tributes to both Governor Peter Mbah and Rep Agbo for their giant strides in the provision of educational infrastructure such as the state government’s ongoing constriction of 260 Smart Schools across the state, and Rep Agbo’s continued provision of educational facilities in Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency.
The facilities included a seven-classroom block with two offices at Umuegali Amalla in Udenu LGA, six-classroom block at Community Secondary School Imufu; four-classroom block at Comprehensive Secondary School Ekposhi, an Examination Hall and ICT building at Community High School Uda.
Expressing appreciations to Rep Agbo for attracting the projects, community leaders such as Prince Emeka Eze of Amalla in Udenu LGA; Chief Abel Idoko of Ekposhi Enugu-Ezike, HRH Igwe Remigus Attah of Imufu and Ichie Peter Ugwuja of Udah in Igbo-Eze North LGA, described Agbo as a good representative with integrity and track record of excellence.
They also made accolades on Governor Peter Mbah who Chief Idoko said his governance has been characterized by “business unusual and disruptive innovations in all sectors.” Ichie Ugwuja recalled that Rep Dennis AGBO had earlier remodeled college buildings, the old dormitory and laboratory blocks in Udah Community High School, in addition to other community development projects.
Rep Agbo in his different speeches gave commendation to Governor Peter Mbah, stating that the governor is a worthy partner whose hard work propels him to seek budgetary provisions for his constituency and the state – “the Governor is working, so we work”.
Agbo said, “We’re taking after the Governor. Education is the enabling factor for the future because if you educate a child, you empower him. All we are doing is to contribute our own quota to elevate that initiative, bringing resources from the center, from the federal government, which is where we operate, to support what the Governor is doing.
“Education is the key in human capital development. Imagine a remodeled secondary School in Udah, and a Smart School next door, the confidence it will engineer in children in the next five years is unimaginable. I thank my constituents who are wonderful people. They support me and I’m working hard for them.”
The Governor’s representative and the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah said that there is a democratic synergy between the state government’s effective governance and effective representation by the House of Representative member.
“The people who are enjoying these democratic endeavors are the people that Honourable represents and the citizens of Enugu state in general, who are led by our Governor. It has been a richly rewarding experience and I’ll provide the governor a full brief on my excursion here,” Prof Mbah said.
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