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Reps step down motion on Presidential Aircraft Malfunction

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…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”.
“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 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.
“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,” he added.
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Benue state govt offers free beer to residents for New Year’s eve celebrations

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

As part of the ongoing Benue Carnival festivities, the Benue State Government has announced the distribution of free Zeva Draft Beer to residents in celebration of New Year’s Eve.

The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hyacinth Iormem Alia approved the gesture. The event will kick off at 5 PM on December 31, 2024, at IBB Square, Makurdi.

Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), revealed this in a statement on Tuesday. He described the initiative as an opportunity for citizens to come together and celebrate Benue’s rich heritage and unity.

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“This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the flavours of Benue while engaging with family and friends. You are to drink responsibly,” the statement read.

The carnival, which had been dormant since the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, has been revived by the current government to promote cultural pride and engage the youth positively.

The festivities have already featured colourful displays, with socio-cultural groups parading through Makurdi in vibrant costumes on Monday

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Minority Caucus Congratulates Nigerians on New Year, Calls for Urgent National Reforms

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By Gloria Ikibah

As Nigerians join the global community in celebrating the New Year 2025, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has extended heartfelt congratulations to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, for witnessing the dawn of the year in peace and tranquility.

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In a statement jointly signed by House Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Rep. Dr. Ali Isa J.C, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rep. George Ozodinobi, the caucus reflected on the challenges of 2024, describing the year as “palpable, worrisome, and fearful,” and highlighted its impact on citizens’ personal growth.

The statement reads: “Today, being the first day of Year 2025, whilst, like other parts of the world, we are full of excitement, it gives us another opportunity to have sincere reflections and objective introspection about the journey of our dear country thus far. Fact is, Nigeria’s progress has been marked by significant challenges that hinder our individual growth and collective prosperity.

“True, the situation of our country, particularly in 2024, was palpable, worrisome, and fearful that it stifled the personal development of many citizens. From spiraling inflation to corrosive poverty and debilitating hunger, it was pathetic for citizens. How about accentuating unemployment, alarming insecurity, and other disturbing multi-sectoral indices of under-development?

“As the country enters 2025, it is necessary to reiterate that just as Nigeria has issues of governance and lack of inclusive economic growth, there is an urgent and timely need to ingeniously address challenges of infrastructure deficits, mindless corruption, youth unemployment, and widespread insecurity.”

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The caucus urged all Nigerians to leverage the nation’s diversity as a strength and work collectively towards fostering peace, unity, and development.

“No doubt, Nigeria is a blessed nation with enormous potentials, and our diversity remains one of our greatest assets. In 2025, we admonish us all to harness the strengths embedded in our differences to build a nation that works for all citizens. Since no tribe, ethnicity, and group, no matter how powerful, can do it alone, we solicit for the collaboration and synergy of all and sundry. Through these, and other imperatives including believability, inclusivity, and mutual trust, Nigeria can overcome every difficulty and achieve sustainable and enduring achievements.

“As we collectively forge ahead as a nation in 2025, we encourage us all to recommit and reconnect to the values of peace, unity, and development, with the realization that the future of Nigeria rests on our ability to stay united and work together towards the fulfillment of common goals, desires, and aspirations.”

The caucus reaffirmed its dedication to the well-being of Nigerians, pledging to remain steadfast in addressing national issues through legislative action.

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“As a responsive and responsible Caucus, we assure Nigerians that, further to our commitment to the general well-being of citizens, we will in 2025, and subsequent years in the lifespan of the 10th House of Representatives, remain resolute and focused in every national issue that requires legislative inquisition and actions.”

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Just in: Tanker fire guts popular Lagos police station

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Tanker fire has razed a section of Okokomaiko Police Station, Lagos State Police Command.

The tanker reportedly caught fire while discharging diesel into the storage tank of a hotel that shares same fence with the police facility, reports Daily Trust.

The incident created a stampede as both the staff of the hotel and policemen attached to the station fled from their offices for fear of being trapped in the fire.

It was learnt that the fire started from the engine of the truck and quickly spread to the storage tank of the vehicle.

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Witnesses alleged that the fire spread to the police station before any help could come.

One witness identified simply as Tolupe stated that the truck driver abandoned the vehicle when the fire escalated and fled.

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