News

Reps step down motion on Presidential Aircraft Malfunction

Published

12 months ago

May 15, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as committee chair on National Security explain why, vow to probe PAF, NSA

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives on Wednesday at plenary stepped down a motion of urgent public importance on the need to investigate the malfunctioning of the Presidential Aircraft.

The lawmakers had divergent views on the discussion of the issue of the challenges on the Presidential and Vice Presidential Aircraft, as lawmaker believed that it should not be a motion to be debated on the floor of the House at plenary but the relevant committee should be responsible enough to exercise their power and investigate the matter.

Rep Ahmed Satomi member representing Jere Federal Constituency of Borno State, who moved a motion of urgent public importance noted that in April, President Bola Tinubu was forced to fly in a chartered plane from Netherlands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the World Economic Forum.

He further noted that Vice President Kashim Shettima had to return back one house after embarking on a journey as the aircraft developed problems while airborne.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday was forced to cancel his trip to the United States where he was scheduled to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit, due to a fault with his aircraft.

Rep. Satome who is also the chairman House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, prayed the House to carry out a comprehensive investigation on the airworthiness and technical status of all the aircrafts in the presidential Air Fleet.

He also prayed the House to invite the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet and any other relevant officer(s) of government to give detailed explanations on why the Fleet is not operating at optimum capacity needed to guarantee presidential safety.

While some were of the opinion that the President should use commercial flights to travel, others said it was a national embarrassment to the country for the president to do so.

Rep. Sada Soli, lawmaker representing Jibiya Federal Constituency of Katsina state, express sadness over the recent developments with the presidential aircraft despite the huge amount allocated to the Presidential Air Fleet, he therefore said the PAF and National Security Adviser be summoned to explain to the House.

“Mr. Speaker, today is a very sad day for me to speak on this issue. Mr Speaker, if this country should find itself in this kind of situation, I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. The life and security of the president and indeed the sovereignty of this country, perhaps even he vice president, had this kind of snipe wit h his aircraft.

“We don’t know what is going on within the administration of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). What is really going on? We know how much money this house has budgeted to take care of these presidential fleet. What is going on? That our president should be held at ransome at the assistance of our friends outside this country to charter a private aircraft, surrendering his security and the integrity of this country. I think Mr Speaker this is a very serious issue, I think this House should summon the office of the National Security Adviser who are managing the fleet, so that we will address this issue once and for all”, he stated.

In his contribution, the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Ali Isah, member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency of Gombe State, while supporting the call for investigation of the state of the presidential aircrafts, said the development should offer President Tinubu opportunity to travel by road to enable him understand the state of road infrastructure across the country.

He said, “While I join my Honourable colleagues in sympathising with the situation of our presidential aircraft, we love our president just like the Leader clearly stated, and not only our president we also love all the people in government.

“Mr Speaker, since an issue has been raised, I will advise that the president should suspend using the presidential aircraft. If there is a need, he can use either commercial or chartered aircraft and another option that will also help Nigeria. If the president can travel by road, then Nigerians will have hope that our roads will be repaired soon”.

This proposal did not sit well with Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over Wednesday’s plenary.

He said: “Are you saying Mr President, the number one leader should travel around by road?,” he asked rhetorically amid support from All Progressives Congress lawmakers.

Rep. Isah position was supported by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Kingsley Chinda who argued that in Britain, the Prime Minister flies British Airways, and there’s anything wrong with a public officer using commercial transportation.

Rep. Chinda further advocated the resuscitation of a national career as a way out of the embarrassment.

He said: “Mr Speaker, very sincerely i have not seen anything wrong with a public office holder travelling in a public flight. The prime minister of United Kingdom flies British Airways, its commercial. So, I think that we should be thinking of how to resuscitate a national carrier”.

Addressing journalists Satomi said he stepped the motion not because it lacks merit or support but because he has the power to summon the NSA and the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet which is the major prayer in motion.

“I didn’t step down the motion because it lacks merit or support, it is because I have the power to summon the NSA and the Commandant of the Presidential Air Fleet, which is the prayer in that motion for them to explain.

“The Vice President last week was one hour airborne when the aircraft developed a problem and had to turn back. As I speak yo you this morning, he used a commercial flight to Kebbi, and the aircraft belongs to an individual.

“That aircraft belongs to the country that is whybthe presidential jet is called the “Airforce 1”. So therefore, it is a shame!

“When Mr. President wanted to leave from Riyadh to the United Kingdom, he used a chartered plane. In 21st century? No! Not Nigeria! Let’s be serious pls.

“Our fight defines our capacity believe it, and we have appropriated enough funds to my understanding for them to maintain these aircrafts. So that’s why I say the NSA should come and I want it to be public when he arrives. What is happening? We have all what it takes as a country not only to maintain the aircraft”.

“That aircraft belongs to the country that is why the presidential jet is called the “Airforce 1”. So therefore, it is a shame! When Mr. President wants to leave from Riyadh to the United Kingdom, he used a chartered plane. In 21st century? No! Not Nigeria! Let’s be serious pls.

News

BUNKERING: Army, Tantita Security Arrest Truck Laden with Illegally Extracted Crude Oil in Delta

Published

46 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

ADMIN

A joint team comprising officers of the 181 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Oleh, and personnel from Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. has arrested a vacuum truck involved in illegal crude oil extraction at Well 3, Olomoro, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to reports, the truck, which previously belonged to Engr. Daniel Omoyibo, also known as Damotech, was gifted to the driver, Mr. Matthew Ojomikre, who is currently being detained at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), 181 Battalion, Oleh.

Upon interrogation, the driver confessed that his company had been contracted by Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. to evacuate sludge from Well 3, Olomoro. However, he was unable to provide any formal approvals or documentation authorizing the activity, as was previously the norm.

Until recently, Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. had consistently provided crude and condensate trucking permits to officers of the Nigerian Army and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. for proper monitoring from the loading point to the discharge location.

Officers of Tantita Security Services, in collaboration with a team from Heritage and the Nigerian Army, have collected samples from the vacuum truck for laboratory testing and analysis.

The preliminary confessional statement from the driver indicates that he illegally collected crude oil from Well 3 under the pretense of evacuating sludge from the wellheads.

Authorities have reported that the same truck has previously been involved in unauthorized crude oil evacuations within the Isoko axis.

The driver, the truck, and its contents remain in custody at the 181 Battalion Base in Oleh for further interrogation and possible prosecution.

News

AMMC Partners NUJ-FCT On Infrastructural Development

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has expressed commitment to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council on infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Amechi Obuah gave the assurance when he received the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, and her executive team on a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Abuja.

Chief Obuah who welcomed members of the NUJ FCT, and commended the media plays a very vital role in the growth and development of any organisation.

He also used the occasion to congratulate the first female chairperson of the union after forty one years of its existence and prays for a successful tenure

Obuah expressed his readiness to collaborate with the council having recognised the vital role the media plays in informing the public on activities of AMMC which is helping the agency to ensure full compliance with the FCT master plan.

He said: “I welcome you and your team to our corporate office today. I have listened to you and I just have to say that, I am indeed very happy to partner with the NUJ FCT. We need to partner together to be able to achieve our core and corporate mandate – and in partnering together, we support each other and grow together and educate the public, so as to attain infrastructural development in the FCT in line with the master plan of the nation’s capital city”.

He also expressed willingness to support the NUJ FCT Council, but explained that current financial constraints make it difficult to make any immediate commitment but hopes to accommodate the union’s needs in the next budget.

“Even though I am a bit handicapped to make any promises because of budgetary constraints, but in the subsequent budget, I assure you that whatever we can do to help your dream come true for NUJ and your members, the agency will do everything humanly possible to contribute their quota to the growth of the union in line with the FCT master plan

“You can write my office on what you feel we can do officially. I will also present it in the next budget and I will go to my superior, the Honourable Minister of FCT, and say these people visited me and came with a very solid, verified programme—how do we assist? Because whatever we are doing, with the media, the public would not know and be able to key into it”, he added.

Earlier, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Ms Ike, thanked Chief Obuah for receiving her team and commended the AMMC Coordinator for the effective management and coordination of municipal services as well as infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She used the occasion to commend his support for workers welfare which earned him the employee’s advocate award of the year award

She said “ I must commend your leadership efforts in ensuring proper maintenance and sustainable management of the city’s infrastructure, utilities, and services”

She highlighted major infrastructural challenges currently facing the NUJ FCT Council and requested support to improve their facilities such as the completion of the Pentagon building, and a hall that cannot house more than 2, 000 journalists during her monthly congress.

She also made a strong case for the NUJ FCT “Journalists’ Village”, which would offer journalists affordable housing and a suitable environment to carry out their work.

She said, “On behalf of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory Council, I express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers, including media professionals. Your kind gestures and support have not gone unnoticed and have greatly encouraged us in our mission.

“Today, we come with a sincere appeal for your support towards the establishment of a Journalists’ Village here in the FCT. This initiative is vital for providing affordable housing, professional facilities, and a conducive environment that will enhance the welfare and productivity of journalists who play a critical role in our democracy.

“We believe that with the AMMC’s collaboration, we can secure the necessary resources, land, and policy backing to bring this vision to fruition. Such a village will not only improve the living standards of journalists but also serve as a hub for capacity building, relaxation, and professional growth.

“We appreciate your past efforts and hope to count on your continued partnership to make this project a reality, thereby restoring dignity and stability to journalists who tirelessly serve the public interest” she added.

News

UBEC plans new template for basic school fund disbursement

Published

3 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

The Universal Basic Education Commission on Tuesday announced plans to introduce a new template for disbursing counterpart funds under the Universal Basic Education programme.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Aisha Garba, during an interactive workshop with State Universal Basic Education Boards in Abuja.

Garba explained that the Federal Government, through UBEC, had recently restructured the delivery of basic education nationwide to align with four strategic pillars aimed at improving access and quality across states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She identified the pillars as expanding access to basic education, especially for rural and underserved populations; enhancing the quality of teaching and learning nationwide; strengthening accountability and the effective use of education financing; and optimising monitoring and institutional systems for quality service delivery.

She said, “The Hope Education Project of the present administration is a performance-for-reward initiative designed to support states that judiciously utilise resources in line with these four pillars.”

She added that the new approach had made it necessary to develop fresh templates that will guide SUBEBs in preparing work plans to access UBE intervention funds under the framework of the Hope Education Project.

Also speaking at the event, UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary for General Services, Tunde Ajibulu, described the workshop as timely and essential.

He stressed that the realignment of basic education delivery made the introduction of the new templates crucial.

“We expect you, as implementers of basic education in your respective states, to contribute positively and help develop workable templates,” Ajibulu said.