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Anger, Condemnation Trail Keyamo’s Suspension Of Dana Air

Published

9 months ago

April 26, 2024

As anger and disappointment trail the controversial suspension of the operations of Dana Air by the Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, over an incident that involved one of the MD 82 aircraft in the fleet of the airline, which skidded off the Lagos airport runway on Wednesday, more key players have joined in the condemnation of the interference of the minister in the incident.

The latest to join in the condemnation of the role of the minister in the incident is a body of professionals known as the Aviation Round Table (ART), which has expressed its disappointment with the actions of the minister.

In a statement issued by ART, it described the action of the minister as a contradiction to the law and process of doing things under the circumstances.

According to the ART, “The ART hereby expresses its disappointment with the actions of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Ministry that are contrary to law and process and to the promise of the Minister to respect both law and process and to restore autonomy to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

“The suspension of the entire operations of Dana Airlines directed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development runs against these principles and indicates a return to the ugly past that destroys confidence in the industry and in the global community on the principles of an autonomous industry regulator, representing a threat to safety and security in the sector generally.

“ART condemns the external interference demonstrated by the Minister’s directive, which serves to erode institutional autonomy and jeopardise safety in the aviation sector. ART hereby reiterates its commitment to the non-negotiable autonomy of the NCAA as stated in Section 4 (3) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act

“The conduct of financial audits of airlines lies exclusively with the NCAA. The decisions on what are appropriate sanctions for violations also lie with the NCAA exclusively.

“The ART hereby advises an immediate lifting of the suspension of the entire operation of Dana Airlines and demands an apology to the entire aviation community for the actions taken by the Minister and the Ministry while the NCAA/NNSIB investigation continues on the affected MD 82 aircraft or fleet and the company Dana, for which the NCAA is expected to carry on its role and meet the appropriate actions.”

The group also advised the minister to concentrate his efforts on policy issues that positively impact the airline industry, even as it demands that other agencies be allowed to carry out their statutory obligations without interference, including the observed interferences at FAAN.

ART also requests that the minister move promptly to appoint the required boards to enable the smooth and properly guided operations of agencies.

Before ART’s statement, a former Deputy Secretary General, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Alhaji Mohammed Tukur, had warned against the danger of undermining the autonomy of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Tukur, in a statement, described the grounding of all the Dana fleet by the Minister of Aviation as an usurpation of the powers of the NCAA.

“The action of the Minister is like putting our civil aviation on a reverse to the era between the late eighties and the early time of the present democratic dispensation when President Obasanjo, for no just course, ordered the grounding of the entire Chanchangi fleet over the Bellview crash.”

He noted that the development was a dangerous signal that must be repealed so that the civil aviation authority would not be relegated to an appendage of the Ministry.

The former AON scribe further described the grounding of DANA, an airline that just scaled through the economic audit of the NCAA, as unfortunate, stressing that it was also happening in the wake of the authority’s successful safety audit and FAA’s category one.

“It’s ironic for Keyamo, who recently complained of high insurance rates and leasing costs faced by the Nigerian operators, to come up with such a hammer on DANA, which gives the impression that our CAA lacks independence and oversight capability.”

Alhaji Tukur further observed that there was likely an aeroplane on the runway because of the rain, saying that it was necessary to have waited for the investigators to come up with the plenary report while only the aircraft involved should have been grounded.

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Just in: Boko Haram launch attack against military base, k!ll soldiers

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Boko Haram militants launched an attack on a Nigerian army base in Borno State on January 4, 2025, leaving numerous soldiers dead and others missing.

The attack, which lasted over two hours, targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Damboa Local Government Area.

According to security officials, multiple military buildings and operational vehicles were destroyed in the assault, and at least seven bodies have been recovered so far.

The militants invaded the base around 4 a.m., using a variety of weapons.

Details shortly…

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WAEC to now allow students resit failed subjects

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new initiative, which will allow students to resit their WASSCE papers as early as January and February 2025.

This marks a significant shift from the previous system, where candidates had to wait for the next private exam cycle.

The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, disclosed this while speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show in Ghana on Tuesday, December 31st.

He explained that the new programme, referred to as WASSCE PC1, provides a faster route for students to improve their grades.

“Students who access their results now and realise they need to resit one or two papers have until 8th January to register online through our website or at WAEC-accredited internet cafés. The exams will take place from 24th January to 15th February 2025,” Mr Kapi stated.

According to him, to aid candidates in their preparations, WAEC plans to expedite the release of chief examiners’ reports, saying, “These reports will provide detailed feedback on where students may have gone wrong and how they can better approach their studies and the examination process.

“We’ve advertised this programme widely through banners, our website, and our results checker platform to ensure that both students and parents are aware,” Mr Kapi added.

He said students whose results have been cancelled are also eligible to sit the WASSCE PC1 exams, provided they have not been banned for some years for malpractice.

“For now, the exams will be conducted in regional capitals due to the limited number of candidates. Prospective participants are urged to complete their registration by the 8th of January to take advantage of this opportunity.”

WAEC, however, expressed optimism that this initiative will allow candidates to quickly improve their grades and qualify for the next cycle of admissions, avoiding a year-long delay in their academic progress.

Daily TRUST

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Adeboye advises Nigerians to be thankful amidst challenges, condemns indecent dressing

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has encouraged Nigerians to cultivate an attitude of gratitude to God, regardless of the challenges they face.

Delivering his sermon at the church’s annual thanksgiving service tagged “All Round Praise” at the national headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Pastor Adeboye highlighted the importance of appreciating God’s mercy in difficult times.

Citing the ongoing economic hardships and rising prices, Pastor Adeboye said, “If you don’t know what to thank God for, thank Him for His mercy.

“You are alive today not because of your ability, strength, or wisdom but because of His mercy. The Bible says, ‘A living dog is better than a dead lion.’ As long as you are breathing, there is hope for you.”

He further reflected on the value of life and the often-overlooked gift of breathing, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, where many faced challenges with basic respiration.

“During the pandemic, those who couldn’t breathe needed oxygen masks to survive. As long as you can breathe, there’s hope, and those who have written you off will be surprised because your tomorrow will be alright,” he assured the congregation.

On the subject of gratitude, Pastor Adeboye shared a poignant message about mental health, clothing, and societal values. “Maybe you didn’t have new clothes for Christmas, but you are not naked, and that shows you are not crazy. Many have plenty of clothes, but they have lost their minds. Nebuchadnezzar was a king with abundant clothing, yet he roamed naked among animals when things went wrong with his mind.”

Pastor Adeboye also criticized the growing trend of indecent dressing, equating it to a form of practical nakedness. “Today, we see people exposing what clothes are supposed to cover. They celebrate this on television, but it’s not right,” he said, calling for a return to modesty and decency in appearance.

RCCG Declares 100 Days Fast.

Meanwhile, the RCCG has announced its annual 100-day fasting exercise, set to commence on January 11, 2025, and conclude on April 21, 2025. Themed “RCCG Fast 2025”, the Special Assistant to the General Overseer, Pastor Oladele Balogun, shared that the spiritual exercise will include 30 days of focused intercession for Nigeria.

Pastor Adeboye emphasized the critical role of prayer during fasting, stating, “Without prayer, fasting is just a hunger strike.” He expressed confidence that the fasting period would bring about a divine turnaround for Nigeria and urged participants to maintain a prayerful attitude throughout.

The event reinforced themes of gratitude, modesty, and spiritual dedication, offering hope for better days ahead for the nation and its people.