President, Bola Tinubu has appointed two new Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

The announcement was made by Eno Olotu, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, in Abuja on Wednesday confirming Adeladan Olarinre and Mukhtar Muhammed, represent Oyo State and the North-West geopolitical zone, respectively.

According to reports, the appointments followed a thorough and open selection process, ensuring that the administration’s focus on merit, competence, and excellence in the civil service was maintained.

The new Permanent Secretaries are expected to bring their knowledge and experience to their new positions, contributing to the improvement of public service delivery and supporting the government’s development goals.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Monday also approved the appointment of Martins Imonitie as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Mining Corporation.

The announcement came after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by the president.

A newly released report by the Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations has exposed a staggering N120 billion revenue loss for the Nigerian government over the past decade.

The losses stem from a combination of illegal charter operations, regulatory gaps, and lax enforcement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and reviewed, paints a picture of widespread security vulnerabilities, interagency coordination failures, and outdated policies crippling the aviation sector.

“Over the past decade, Nigeria lost an estimated N120 billion in statutory revenue from the sector due to regulatory loopholes,” the report stated.

It further named prominent entities such as Arik Air Ltd, BUA International Limited, Dominion Air Limited, Executive Jets Services, Max Air Ltd, the Rivers State Government, Julius Berger Nig. Ltd, and Nestoil Plc as involved in charter operations.

To address the crisis, the task force recommends a series of corrective measures, including the immediate closure and overhaul of the General Aviation Terminal in Abuja to rectify critical security deficiencies.

The controversial 22-year aircraft age limit, widely seen as hindering industry growth, is also slated for repeal.

The report further calls for a significant strengthening of the NCAA’s oversight capabilities to ensure strict compliance with aviation regulations. A new licensing framework for air charter brokers is also proposed to increase transparency and accountability within the sector.

“By implementing these measures, Nigeria can restore regulatory integrity, enhance safety, and position its aviation sector for long-term sustainability and global competitiveness,” the report concluded.

However, the task force’s findings and proposed solutions have drawn sharp criticism from aviation experts who question the government’s ability to enforce meaningful change.

John Ojikutu, aviation security expert and CEO of Centurion Security Limited, dismissed the task force’s efforts as “a waste of time,” placing the blame squarely on the NCAA’s failure to enforce existing regulations.

“Most of these charter aircraft are owned by political office holders or people who have something to do with it. It’s an indictment on the NCAA. When you’re talking about enforcement of regulation, it’s the NCAA,” Ojikutu asserted.

He also raised serious concerns about the regulation of foreign-registered aircraft operating within Nigeria.

“Most of these charter flights are foreign-registered aircraft. Have you been able to identify them? Who brought them in? What is the regulation on foreign-registered aircraft operating in this country? In my days, they could not operate for more than three months. There were specific airports they had to go to. If you brought them in, they had to stay at the customs airport. That was the law in those days,” he explained.

Ojikutu reiterated that powerful figures are shielding illegal flights, making effective enforcement a daunting challenge. “They are being protected,” he emphasized.

Barely 12 hours to deadline, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, swallowed his vomit wrote a letter to the House of Assembly led by Martin Amawhule, informing it that the government was yet to receive its resolutions regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on February 28, 2025.

The letter, signed by Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), which would be the first time Fubara would be dealing with the G27, since the confrontation between the House and his government began in November, 2023, was sequel to the 48-hour ultimatum handed him on Monday, to present the 2025 budget of the State before it.

In the letter, which did not specify any individual by name as the Speaker of the Assembly, Danagogo, clarified that as of close of work on March 4, neither the governor’s office, the deputy Governor, nor the office of the Accountant-General had received the document.

Danagogo, who referenced a recent state broadcast by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on March 2, where he reaffirmed his commitment to respecting the rule of law, maintained that despite any personal opinions on the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Governor had assured the people of the state, that his administration would abide by and implement the court’s decisions in the best interest of the state.

The letter read: “I hereby refer to you to a letter dated March 3, 2025, on the above subject matter, which we came across on social media and notify you that:

“As of the close of work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the state, has received the letter.

“Please, recall that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, had in a broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court judgements, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of the state.”