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Senate Summons Aviation Minister, Keyamo, Over Hike in Flight Ticket Prices

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, along with heads of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), over the sudden and steep increase in domestic flight ticket prices.

The minister and heads of the agencies are expected to appear before lawmakers in a closed-door session on a date to be announced.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Buhari Abdulfatai.

While presenting his motion, Mr Abdulfatai lamented that airfares across Nigerian airlines had risen sharply due to the festive season, a development he said would force many Nigerians to forgo travel because of insecurity on the roads.

The senator, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District, said he had previously engaged airline operators on the issue, but the high fares persisted. He therefore urged the Senate to empower its aviation committee to intervene.

One-way airfares on some domestic routes have risen by as much as 150 per cent, with tickets costing at least N300,000. Before the festive period, domestic flight tickets averaged around N120,000, but prices have reportedly surged to as high as N400,000.

Given the worsening insecurity on major highways, many Nigerians prefer to travel by air, but the soaring cost of tickets is a major hindrance.

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Contributing to the debate, Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), described the fare hike as unacceptable in a country where the minimum wage is N70,000. He noted that a civil servant would have to save for up to six months to afford a one-way flight.

“The synopsis of the motion was given that the minimum wage for Nigeria is 70,000 Naira. It means a civil servant will have to save five months’ salary or even six months’ salary before they could afford a one-way ticket to Lagos,” he said.

Mr Aliero, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), questioned the rationale behind the sudden increase in air fares and insisted that the Senate must summon all stakeholders to explain the hike.

“Mr President, this is unaffordable, and there has not been a corresponding increase in aviation fares. There has not been a corresponding increase in the airport charges from either FAN, NCAA or Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. So we need to summon all the stakeholders and question them on why this hike is announced.

“And not only that, Mr. President, we need to halt this increase in order to save Nigerians from exploitation. Mr. President, it is normal for airlines at the end of the year to increase fares, but not as it is announced today. An increase of 10 to 15 per cent is understandable, but not an increase of over 200 per cent. So if we do that, honestly speaking, Mr. President, we are allowing exploitation of Nigerians,” he added.

Peter Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) also condemned the sharp increase, saying he attempted to book a flight from Abuja to Enugu and was shocked to discover that Air Peace Airline was charging N500,000 and Ibom Air, N460,000.

“Just this morning, I called my personal assistant to get a ticket for me for the 13th of December from Abuja to Enugu, and shockingly, Mr. President, the cost for a one-way ticket from Abuja to Enugu is N500,000 for Air Peace and N460,000 for Ibom Air. Mr. President, this is unheard of. This is over a 400 per cent increment at a go. We never had it this way,” he said.

Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West) called for a comprehensive engagement with all aviation stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, accused airlines of exploiting Nigerians.

“It is very clear that Nigerians are being exploited and people are taking advantage of Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Akpabio subsequently put the motion to a voice vote, and it received overwhelming support.

After taking the vote, the senate president said the planned meeting with the aviation minister and relevant agencies was necessary to address the abysmal fare increase and to prevent disruptions to travel during the Christmas period.

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Governor Yusuf Sacks Sagagi as Kano Commissioner Of Commerce

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi of his appointment as Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the former Commissioner is directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Director Commerce with immediate effect.

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Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation for the services rendered by the former commissioner during his tenure.

He acknowledged Sagagi’s contributions to the development of the state, particularly in the areas of politics, religion, small and medium enterprises.

The Governor wished him success in his future endeavours as he reassured the public of his administration’s continued commitment to efficient service delivery and good governance in the state.

This decision is part of the ongoing strategic realighment of government structures for systematic growth and sustainable development.

 

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Terrorist Logistics Suppliers Apprehended in Borno

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

This is contained in a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.

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The military said the suspects were intercepted while travelling towards the location to deliver the goods to the terrorists.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to the terrorist group.

“They admitted that they routinely purchase and convey items to the terrorists.

“Their justification was lack of employment, which points to a deeper socio-economic challenge in Maiduguri and its environs,” the army said.

The development, according to the reportt, validates recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic hardship and the sustenance of insurgency logistics networks.

“The arrest highlights the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in remote areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali,” it added.

The army called for a comprehensive approach combining military operations with economic empowerment and job creation to address the root causes of insurgency in the region.

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Kano Gov’t  Offers Study Scholarship to SWAN Members

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Kano state government has  facilitated and supported   members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Kano chapter  to proceed to pursue professional certification courses  in sports journalism, our correspondent reports .

The Special  Adviser , youths and sports to Kano state governor, Sani Musa Danja, disclosed that the offer covers their tuition fees.

He said ,   the beneficiaries  have been identified and their enrolment process have been completed.

According to him,  through interactions with stakeholders , the decision was reached for  some sports writers, who  are faced with the challenge of acquiring the required professional qualification to practice their trade should be given support to fill the gap.

said, findings have revealed that , for Kano sports writers to compete favorably there exists the urgent need to empower members of the association  to acquire certain requisite qualification to enable them feature amongst the best in Nigeria and beyond.

Danja speaking, when he hosted SWAN members in his  office , located within the premises of Kano state Library Complex, along Ahmadu Bello Way said that  the state government, under Abba Kabir Yusuf ,  on discovering this major   challenge , acted swiftly to address the lapses, by offering  to sponsor 10 SWAN  members to pursue professional diploma in Sports Journalism at El Roi London University.

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In his word  “ we give thanks to almighty Allah for his mercies, I want to thank our mentor and leader, his excellency governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf , who made this possible.

“his excellency takes the issue of empowering our people very seriously, the challenge facing our sports journalists is principally the issue of professional certification, some of our sports journalists have their degrees in other fields, but we are aware that, they also require to obtain certain  minimum qualification in journalism or other related fields to help them to excel .

“in line with the policy of the government of his excellency, we have moved in to make sure , these sons and daughter of Kano overcome  this hinderance that may hinder their professional progress.

“the sports media is the back bone of sports development and sports promotion, our government is focused and committed to  support and reshape the sports media to achieve the set out goal to empower Kano youths through sports.

“the mission  of his excellency through this gesture is   to empower our professional sports journalists and give them the required qualification to continue with their pursuit to upward steadily representation of  Kano state in that sector.

 

Danja hinted that,  Kano state government remains unrepentant  in its  upward investment drive to create a generation  of professionals that  would keep the state afloat on the terrain of quality and abundance human resources.

Reacting, chairman SWAN Kano chapter, comrade Zahradeen Saleh thanked the state government for the support.

He said, the scholarship offer is an major step towards uplifting the practice of sports journalism in the state.

He said the dividends of sports could only  accrue with the effective operations of the sporting press through the training and re-training of sports writers.

He admitted that, acquiring the requisite qualification to practice  sports journalism has been one of the major challenges confronting members of the association.

“ our members  who are the beneficiaries of this offer are  youths, on completion of the professional course, they will have stable professional growth and  would be better equipped to contribute their quota to the development of the state.” Zahradeen said .

 

 

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