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Super Eagles: Tunisian Pilot Narrates How Plane Was Diverted

Published

5 months ago

October 15, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles team to Libya reveals he was instructed by Libyan authority to divert the plane to a different location.

According to the pilot, the original flight plan was to land the aircraft in Benghazi, Libya, as approved by the aviation authorities. But later they were suddenly directed by officials to divert to another airport just as they neared their destination.

“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi. We got the approval from the Libyan civil aviation authority that we were approved to land,” the pilot explained. “But unfortunately, when we started the descent, they asked us to divert to Mitiga, which is almost 150 miles (300 km) away. This was not even our alternate airport.”

The pilot said he warned the officials that the diversion would have severely impacted their fuel reserves, and could compromise the safety of the flight.

I asked them several times, at least eight times, and I warned them that I would be in trouble for the fuel situation,” the pilot recounted. “They said it was from the highest authority and that we had to divert to Mitiga immediately.”

The pilot later complied with the directive. Thankfully, the aircraft landed safely in Mitiga with no challenges.

This revelation comes hours after Super Eagles players reported that had been mistreated by Libyan authorities ahead of their Tuesday match, which they later boycotted and flew back home after being held hostage for 20 hours.

In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong described the situation as “disgraceful,” accusing the hosts of playing “mind games.”

He revealed that the team was kept in an abandoned airport with no access to food, drink, or phone connections.

Nigeria defeated Libya 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, October 11. Both nations were scheduled to play the return leg in Libya on October 15.

News

Just in: Tinubu meets with PANDEF leaders at Aso Rock

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The meeting, which began at 4:15pm with the arrival of President Tinubu is expected to discuss varying issues considered to be critical to the interest of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Convened by the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, who passed away in February, PANDEF is the mouthpiece of the traditional rulers, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of the Niger Delta.

Just as the meeting commenced after the National Anthem had been sung, President Tinubu requested that a minute of silence be observed in memory of Chief Clark.

PANDEF, which is attending the meeting with a large entourage, has former governors, senior politicians, traditional rulers, and other categories of stakeholders in attendance.

Among those at the meeting on PANDEF’s entourage are King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Chairman, Board of Trustees of PANDEF; Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees of PANDEF; Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF; Senator Seriake Dickson; Professor Mike Ozakhome; former Cross River State governor, Mr Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe.

Others are Jaja of Opobo, Professor Dandeson Jaja; Senator Ita Enang; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Mrs Ibim Semenitari, former acting Managing Director of the NDDC; Uche Secondus; Senator Andrew Uchendu; National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, Ms Ann-Kio Briggs; spokesman of PANDEF, Chief Obiwevbi Ominimini.

Also attending are the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy,Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; and other aides of the President.

Details shortly…

News

BREAKING: Heavy traffic as tanker explodes on Otedola Bridge

Published

3 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A tanker exploded on Tuesday evening on Otedola Bridge along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, causing heavy traffic and panic on the route.

It was gathered that the incident has resulted in traffic congestion on both lanes of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The explosion, according to eyewitnesses, occurred around 8 p.m which ignited a fire spreading rapidly.

Reacting, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that LASEMA’s Tiger Response Team is on the scene working to bring the situation under control.

Details shortly….

News

Bill To Establish Federal College of Entrepreneurship Ntigha Pass Second Reading

Published

4 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State.

The bill is titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, to Provide Full-time Courses, Teaching Instruction and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management; and for Related Matters” (HB.1165).

Leading the debate, sponsor of the bill Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, stressed the urgenct need to equipping Nigerian youths with practical skills to address the nation’s rising unemployment crisis.

According to Onwusibe, this is part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and promote economic self-reliance.

He noted that the traditional focus on white-collar jobs had left many graduates struggling to find employment, making vocational and entrepreneurial education a necessary alternative.

“Nigeria faces a rising youth unemployment crisis, exacerbated by an overdependence on white-collar jobs. To address this, we must begin to prioritize entrepreneurial education and vocational training to equip our youth with practical skills required for self-reliance and job creation,” Onwusibe stated.

He explained that, Ntigha strategically located, with its proximity to key commercial centers in the Southeast, making it an ideal site for such an institution.

The proposed college will offer specialized training in critical areas such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and digital innovation—aligning with the federal government’s broader economic diversification strategy.

Rep. Onwusibe argued that similar institutions in other countries had significantly contributed to economic transformation, and Nigeria must follow suit to enhance productivity, reduce poverty, and strengthen local industries.

“This initiative will not only empower young people but also boost local industries, reduce poverty, and enhance national productivity.

“We cannot afford to be left behind in the global drive for entrepreneurship and skills acquisition,” he said.

Members of the House are expected to further deliberate on the bill’s provisions before a final decision is made.

The establishment of the college would mark a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape and reducing the country’s high unemployment rate.