News
Made-in-Nigeria helicopter enters assessment stage
The country’s dream to launch Made-in-Nigeria helicopter before the end of this year is gradually coming to fulfilment as the project has entered an assessment stage by the aviation authorities.
This is as the officers from the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies visited NASENI Solar Energy Limited where the NASENI Helicopter Hanger and Helipad are housed in Abuja for on-site assessment and evaluation of NASENI Helicopter.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of NASENI Engr. Mohammad Sani Haruna, who was represented by the Managing Director NASENI Solar Energy Limited, Engr. Dr. Mahmoud Jaffaru, said the agency was ready to accept any suggestions and support from the aviation ministry that would lead to the successful completion of the project within the time frame given to the agency by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He noted that it was the desire of the agency to manufacture made-in-Nigeria Helicopter that is of international standards and help in boosting the nation’s economy.
According to him, NASENI has massive land mass that would accommodate all the operational activities.
“We have expertise for developing the helicopter and we do things according to laid-down rules. We are ready to work with you to achieve this project,” he said.
In his presentation, the Deputy Director Engineering Infrastructure, Engr. Emmanuel Ajani, said NASENI entered into collaboration with Dynali Helicopter Company, Thins Belgium, to develop made in Nigeria Helicopter and has trained its engineers for the take-off of the project in Nigeria.
According to him, the President approved the project on January 26, 2021 and directed NASENI to complete the production of made-in-Nigeria Helicopter before the end of his tenure.
He said: “NASENI Engineers and technicians have been trained on helicopter assembly, maintenance and repair at Dynali. More engineers will be sent for training including pilots. We are also taking the issue of licencing serious. We are aware that the permit for non-commercial flight must be done before we continue with the process of manufacturing. Our plan is to get the permit before we start. That is why you are here today for the assessment and evaluation of the hanger and Helipad which have arrived and we pray for your timely consideration and approval of the process.”
Responding, the team leader from the Aviation ministry and its agencies, Captain Akali, represented by the General Manager Aeronautical Services, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Asaniyan Taiwo, said the team was in NASENI for assessment, inspection and to pick all the information needed and go back to the ministry for submission.
While applauding NASENI for the laudable project, he said its completion will promote the image of the country and improve the economy.
“The ministry is happy with the project but safety is paramount. We will not compromise the safety of the people.”
He however noted that NASENI was on course, as the helicopter if completed will help in fighting crimes.
News
We may shut down Nigeria’s economy over cybersecurity levy – TUC
We may shut down Nigeria’s economy over cybersecurity levy – TUC
The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Festus Osifo on Wednesday faulted the cybersecurity levy (CSL) imposed on Nigerians by the federal government.
Osifo in Abuja said the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive to banks imposing a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on almost all electronic transactions was “ a conspiracy of the oppressors against the masses and citizens of this country and it must be resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians”.
Newstrends earlier reported that the 0.5 per cent levy implementation will commence on May 20, 2024.
He said, “How can such obnoxious law see the light of day in a truly people-oriented legislative house.
“It is indeed illogical that this is coming at a time that Nigerians are grappling with the high cost of living that is imposed by the devaluation of Naira, hyper hike in the cost of petrol, supersonic increment in the cost of electricity tariff, etc.
“We are quite disturbed that since the inception of this administration, its policies have brought pain, anguish and sorrow to Nigerians. Whereas a bank account holder in Nigeria today is currently charged stamp duty, transfer fee, VAT on transfer fee, and all forms of account maintenance levies by both the government and the banks.
READ ALSO:
- African Union condemns Israeli incursion into Rafah, calls for international intervention
- Tragedy as generator fumes kills mother, child in Delta
- FG reacts to Binance’s $150 million bribe allegation
“So many policies of this government are not only imposing hardship on the downtrodden Nigerians but also businesses, as some of them are shutting down because of the unfriendly business environment.
“Financial analysts have done a preliminary estimate using the 2023 online transfer volume in Nigeria that fell within these categories and put the value at over N2trn; what kind of cybercrime are we fighting with this humongous amount of money?
“This burden seems not to be enough as the government is poised to inflict further pain on the already battered Nigerians”.
Osifo urged the federal government to issue a marching order to the CBN to immediately withdraw the circular and cancel the plan levy forthwith.
The TUC boss warned of a nationwide protest that will immediately cripple economic activities.
In his words, “failure to withdraw, we will be left with no option than to mobilize all our members, stakeholders and indeed the entire masses to embark on the immediate protest that would culminate into the total shutdown of the Nigerian economy as this is one exploitation too many”.
We may shut down Nigeria’s economy over cybersecurity levy – TUC
News
FG reacts to Binance’s $150 million bribe allegation
FG reacts to Binance’s $150 million bribe allegation
Claims that some Nigerian government officials solicited for bribe from digital currency exchange platform, Binance, to sweep the criminal charges against the company under the carpet are false, the federal government has said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Binance, Richard Teng, had alleged that some unnamed Nigerian government officials had approached the company’s legal representatives in the country and demanded for bribe to the tune of $150 million to be paid in digital currency in order to make the charges against the company go away.
Teng made these claims in a blog post syndicated in top foreign media platforms on Tuesday adding that Binance counsel declined the offer.
Reacting to Teng’s allegation, the federal government through the Idris Mohammed, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said Binance is trying divert attention away from its criminal charges.
In the statement signed on the minister’s behalf by by Rabiu Ibrahim, his media aide, the federal government said the allegation is an act of blackmail by a company “desperate to obfuscate the grievous criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria.”
READ ALSO:
- UNICROSS workers jubilate over sack of vice chancellor
- Naira trades at N1,415/$ on parallel market
- Foreigners now visit Nigeria for plastic surgery, others – Minister
It stated that Binance Founder, Changpeng Zhao, was guilty of the same offence of money laundering in the United States, and currently serving prison terms, an indication that the crypto firm should submit itself for investigation.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is aware of attempts by Binance to launder its impaired image as an organisation that does not play by the rules and laws guiding business conduct in sovereign nations,” it read.
“In a blog post that has now been published by many international media organisations, in an apparent well-coordinated public relations effort, Binance Chief Executive Officer Richard Teng made false allegations of bribery against unidentified Nigerian government officials who he claimed demanded $150m in cryptocurrency payments to resolve the ongoing criminal investigation against the company.
“This claim by Binance CEO lacks any iota of substance. It is nothing but a diversionary tactic and an attempted act of blackmail by a company desperate to obfuscate the grievous criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria.
“The facts of this matter remain that Binance is being investigated in Nigeria for allowing its platform to be used for money laundering, terrorism financing, and foreign exchange manipulation through illegal trading.
“While this lawful investigation was going on, an executive of Binance, who was in court-sanctioned protective custody, escaped from Nigeria, and he is now a fugitive from the law. Working with the security agencies in Nigeria, Interpol is currently executing an international arrest warrant on the said fugitive.
“The phantom bribe claim is part of an orchestrated international campaign by this company that is facing criminal prosecution in many countries including the United States, to undermine the Nigerian government.
“Just a week ago, the founder and former CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, was sentenced to prison in the United States, after pleading guilty to charges very similar to what Binance is being investigated for in Nigeria. In addition, Zhao agreed to pay a fine of $50 million, while Binance is liable for $4.3 billion in fines and forfeitures to the US Government.
“We would like to remind Binance that it will not clear its name in Nigeria by resorting to fictional claims and mudslinging media campaigns. The only way to resolve its issues will be by submitting itself to unobstructed investigation and judicial due process.
“The government of Nigeria will continue to act within its laws and international norms and will not succumb to any form of blackmail from any entity, local or foreign.”
FG reacts to Binance’s $150 million bribe allegation
News
Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips
Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his trips to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.
According to the NTA, Tinubu returned on Wednesday.
On April 22, Tinubu left Abuja, the country’s capital, for the Kingdom of The Netherlands on an official visit.
Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the president was visiting The Netherlands at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
READ ALSO:
- Ekiti university expels students over viral bullying video
- Troops kill IPOB commander, four others in Imo
- National clean cooking policy gets FEC approval
After the engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu proceeded to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting between April 28 and 29.
Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to the president, on Tuesday announced that the President and his aides will return on Wednesday in a post on his X handle.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” Onanuga wrote.
Just in: Tinubu lands in Abuja after Netherlands, Saudi trips
Suspect narrates why he killed sugar mummy in Delta
We may shut down Nigeria’s economy over cybersecurity levy – TUC
Just in: EFCC arraigns ex-court registrar over N3.8m fraud
-
International1 day agoNetanyahu rubbishes Hamas ceasefire proposal
-
News2 days agoNigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
-
News3 days agoPresidency silent over Tinubu’s whereabouts after official trips abroad
-
Politics1 day agoAbia deputy gov candidate, lawmaker dump PDP
-
metro1 day agoThree siblings attack school teacher for flogging brother in Port Harcourt
-
Politics2 days agoEdo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt
-
News2 days agoFubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure
-
metro2 days agoMan confesses killing cousin, friend, body parts sold to ritualists