Politics
Ebonyi State Govt. announces plans to secure commercial airplanes
The Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to acquire commercial airplanes as part of its strategy to boost the growth and operational efficiency of the state-owned Chuba Okadigbo International Airport.
This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Oketa stated that Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Executive Council have authorized the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Elechi Elechi Nnannia, to begin negotiations with contractors interested in supplying the aircraft.
This move is likely tied to the state’s broader vision of launching its own airline, similar to Akwa Ibom’s Ibom Air.
“In another move to further explore opportunities for the maximum growth and operations of the state-of-the-art airport, the Governor, His Excellency, @FrancisNwifuru, and EXCO approved for the Hon. Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Elechi Elechi Nnannia, to proceed and negotiate with contractors seeking to supply commercial airplanes for Ebonyi State,” the statement read in part.
Furthermore, the statement noted that the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, announced that the process of marking the newly asphalted runway at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport has been completed.
She also mentioned that there are still some minor clearances from relevant agencies and additional work that need to be finished, but these are expected to be completed soon.
What You Should Know
Earlier this year, the Ebonyi State Government, through the Commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, unveiled ambitious plans to launch a state-owned airline, drawing inspiration from Akwa Ibom State’s successful Ibom Air.
Dr. Obichukwu had announced that the Ebonyi State Government intends to procure four aircraft to kick-start this new airline, with additional contributions from investors who are ready to provide three more aircraft.
In addition to these plans, the Ebonyi State Government has made significant investments in rehabilitating the 3.5-kilometer runway at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance the airport’s growth and operational efficiency, preparing it not only for passenger flights but also for cargo operations.
According to the latest update from Dr. Obichukwu, the runway rehabilitation has been fully completed, including the necessary markings.
However, she noted that a few minor clearances from relevant agencies and some additional work still remain, but these are expected to be finalized in the near future. This progress marks a significant step forward in Ebonyi State’s aviation aspirations, laying the groundwork for a robust, state-operated airline.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
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