Nigeria’s unity was won at great cost, says Buhari - Newstrends
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Nigeria’s unity was won at great cost, says Buhari

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3 years ago

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…warns Nigerians against divisive comments

Apparently worried by the spate of violence and looting across the country after the #EndSARS protest, President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to desist from actions and comments that could jeopardise the unity and progress of the nation.

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) Emblem and Appeal Fund.

The President Buhari, who noted that this year’s occasion was a reminded for Nigerians on the need to guard jealously the unity of the nation which was won at a great cost, stressed that “Nigeria’s strength lies in her diversity”.

He also spoke on security operations in the North-West and North-Central zones in the country and expressed delight at the return of normalcy in some of the areas that previously witnessed serious security challenges.

Buhari said, “Our dear nation has witnessed numerous security challenges since independence. These security threats have undermined Nigeria in the areas of trade, investment and economy, education, health as well as agriculture and frequently denied Nigerians the freedom of movement.

“I am however pleased to state that a lot has been achieved in the internal security operations in the North-West and North-Central zones where in addition to Operations Lafiya Dole, Hadarin Daji, Harbin Kunama, Whirl Stroke, other operations such as Accord, Sahel Sanity and Katsina were successfully launched.

“This has led to the return of normalcy in some of the affected areas. However, all hands must be on deck to check attacks on soft targets.”

The President restated that his administration would continue to forge useful alliances with neighbours and friends in the international community for the total defeat of the security threats affecting the sub-region.

He also promised to ensure timely provision of adequate resources and necessary logistics support for the Armed Forces.

President Buhari further pledged that under his watch the Nigeria Armed Forces would operate with the best modern warfare equipment, with welfare issues receiving utmost attention.

“We are quite aware that it is our responsibility to provide a conducive environment that is devoid of security threats.

“I want to reassure Nigerians that security being one of the pillars of this administration will continue to be at the forefront until peace and security are restored in the country,” he said.

He paid tribute the nation’s fallen heroes and veterans, recounting their sacrifices during the First and Second World wars, the Nigerian civil war and peace support operations around the world.

President Buhari also commended men and women currently engaged in internal security operations, particularly the ongoing fight against insurgency, terrorism and armed banditry in some parts of the country.

He said, “We honour the memory of our gallant officers and men who have paid the supreme sacrifice in order to keep the country united as one entity.

“The nation remains grateful for the efforts and sacrifice of the Armed Forces especially in the fight against insurgency and other internal security challenges confronting Nigeria.

“The Armed Forces Remembrance Day or Veterans Day as it is known in some parts of the world is an important event observed in commemoration of the end of the Second World War.

“In Commonwealth member countries, the Remembrance Day is observed on 11th November yearly. However, for us the date was changed to 15th January annually to accommodate the commemoration of the end of the Nigerian Civil War.”

The President also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to creating an environment in which all citizens and foreigners are guaranteed freedom and returns on investments.

He, therefore, urged business enterprises to render discounts and rebates to men and women in uniform as a symbol of appreciation for their sacrifices, saying “this kind gesture will make life easier for them and deepen their patriotism.”

On support for families of members of the Armed Forces who died in active service, President Buhari acknowledged that the unfortunate cost of the fight against insurgency and other internal security challenges was the unavoidable loss of lives of some gallant compatriots.

“The reality is that the spouses and defendants of these bread-winners in most cases experience trauma and deprivation. However, we can be of support to them to lighten their burden especially in the light of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

”I therefore call on all to spare a thought for them and take positive steps to come to their aid.”

Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) called on members of the civil society, religious and political leaders, the academia as well as the media to educate and enlighten Nigerians on the need to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices of gallant compatriots in uniform.

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FG to procure customised screening machines for 5 Airports

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31 mins ago

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November 28, 2023

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Muritala Muhammed Airports

FG to procure customised screening machines for 5 Airports

THE Federal Government is to procure customised explosives and narcotic detection screening system with remote and dual view for five international airports in the country to reduce the stress encountered by passengers.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, said this at the end of the Federal  Executive Council meeting on Monday in Abuja.

He  said the contract was coming on the heels of the administration’s concern for the long delay and complaints by passengers using airports across the country.

Keyamo said the machines worth  N3.28 billion would be installed in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu Airports, adding that it had a completion period of 12 months from date of payment.

‘’Since I came to office, we have been inundated with the harrowing experience that passengers go through at the airports  where they have to physically search their bags.

”You see various agencies lined up and they will be dipping their hands into your bags.

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‘’We thought we should do something like you have the TSA in America where you have detection machines so when you pass your bags through their machines,  they detect explosives and any other thing and that’s the end of the search,’’ he said.

Keyamo also said that the council ratified the Bilateral Air Service Agreement with the Republic of Guyana, which was signed in 2014.

He said that the agreement would bring about lesser air travel time for passengers going to European countries.

On the Nigeria Air project, the minister said that the project had been suspended and a report submitted to the president on the next line of action, adding that he would not want to preempt the decision of the president on it.

He, however, disclosed that various issues surrounding the deployment of the airline were appropriately tabled in the report to the president.

Keyamo said at the right time,  Nigerians would be informed of the circumstances of the airline and when a new one would take off.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, said FEC approved the presentation of the Human Rights report of the country to the United Nations.

He said that the report was part of the UN Universal Periodic Report to be presented in February 2024.

‘’Since 2018 we have not made a report and there would be a meeting where all these reports will be submitted in February 2024. It’s just right that we forward the report ahead of that meeting.

‘’After engaging critical stakeholders in each of the six zones of the country, including all the three tiers of government, we compiled a report which we are sending to the United Nations Human Right on Universal Periodic Review for consideration,’’ he said.

Fagbemi said  the report contained certain questions posed by the UN as part of the requirements for the submission of the report.

He said the report contained the status of Nigeria on child employment in armed forces, discrimination against women, especially in terms of inheritance as well as the fight against corruption.

FG to procure customised screening machines for 5 Airports

(NAN)

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Ondo lawmakers plan to appoint Akeredolu’s deputy acting governor today

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37 mins ago

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November 28, 2023

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Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa

Ondo lawmakers plan to appoint Akeredolu’s deputy acting governor today

Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly are expected to appoint Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as acting governor today.

According to a source in the Assembly, lawmakers will make a judgment on Governor Akeredolu’s continued absence due to ill health on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

This, according to the lawmaker, was one of the agreements struck at their meeting with President Bola Tinubu last Friday.

“The House plans to sit on Tuesday and Aiyedatiwa may be declared acting governor during the sitting. This is part of the outcome of the meeting with President Tinubu,” he said.

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When contacted on the matter, the Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, said he was at a meeting.

“I will let you know whether the meeting will be held tomorrow because we are at a meeting now; after the meeting, I will let you know,” the Speaker told Punch.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no information from the Speaker.

Recall that President Tinubu had met with the leadership of the Assembly and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo in a bid to resolve the long-drawn political crisis in the state.

The Assembly had, rising from the meeting with Tinubu, said it had dropped the move to impeach the deputy over alleged gross misconduct.

Also, Aiyedatiwa said he would push behind him the events of the past and carry all the stakeholders along.

Ondo lawmakers plan to appoint Akeredolu’s deputy acting governor today

(Punch)

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Release investigative report on Flight NUA0504 in 10 days – Keyamo directs NSIB

Published

46 mins ago

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November 28, 2023

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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo

Release investigative report on Flight NUA0504 in 10 days – Keyamo directs NSIB

THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to release investigative reports on Flight NUA0504 within 10 days.

Keyamo said this on Monday in Abuja during a meeting he held with the leadership of the ministry and Heads of Agencies under the ministry.

United Nigeria Flight NUA0504, operating from MM2 in Lagos en route Abuja on Sunday was temporarily diverted  to the Asaba International Airport, Delta.

Keyamo further told NSIB to deepen efforts to produce its investigative reports on other incidents that happened within the last two weeks.

According to him, the ministry is taking every step to ensure the safety of lives of Nigerians who decide to travel by air.

” For the incidents that happened recently in the country, some are classified as minor, and some serious incidents. But, we did have any fatality.

” However, we have some preliminary steps and precautions steps that we are taking as a ministry and the regulators.

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” Because of the incident that happened yesterday, where a flight to Abuja ended up in Asaba. They must have their reports within ten days of what really transpired,” he said.

According to him, the transcript from the tower of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) indicated that the pilot took off from Lagos headed to Asaba not Abuja.

” There was no weather problem yesterday, NiMet’s DG is here. It was a question of wet lease plane. Pilots and the Cabin crew were foreigners.

” They were not familiar with the Nigerian terrain. So, it was purely an issue of in-house administrative issues.

” We have agreed, from now, any wet lease coming into Nigeria must have a Nigerian pilot and Nigerians as its Cabin crew,” he said.

The minister directed the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) to hold a crucial briefing with all Pilots and Cabin crew of wet lease in Nigeria within 72 hours.

He said he had also ordered NCAA boss to see how law could be enforced whereby passengers get some benefits from the Airlines  when there was flight delays or cancellations.

Release investigative report on Flight NUA0504 in 10 days – Keyamo directs NSIB

(NAN)

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