Arik Air reconnect Enugu route

Arik Air is resuming services from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja Lagos to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu effective October 6, 2020. Flights between Lagos and Enugu will operate thrice weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in the first instance.

Arik Air suspended flights to Enugu last year when the federal government closed the airport for reconstruction.  Passengers have been yearning for the return of the airline to Enugu following the reopening of the airport for commercial flights earlier in September.

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Roy Ilegbodu said the carrier is happy to be back in Enugu. “We are delighted to return services to Enugu having missed our esteemed customers in and around the Coal City.

“We are pleased to be back to offer exceptional travel experience to our highly esteemed customers who will be elated with our on time departures.”

The airline advised customers to take advantage of its online booking platform (www.arikair.com) for their ticket purchase and ensure that they observe all COVID-19 protocols at the airport as well as on board.

 

At Last,FG Reaches Agreement With Labour; NLC,TUC SUSPEND PLANNED NATIONWIDE STRIKE ACTION

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON THE RESOLUTION OF TRADE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA (FGN) AND THE ORGANIZED LABOUR REPRESENTED BY THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) AND THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS (TUC) HELD AT THE STATE HOUSE BANQUET HALL ON SUNDAY, 27TH SEPTEMBER 2020 

A Bipartite Meeting between the FGN and the two Labour Centres – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Having been convened at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja to discuss emerging labour issues arising from recent cost - reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry, Recognizing the public outcry and protest over the recent Federal Government twin policies on Electricity Tariff Reform and full implementation of deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry resulting in the planned nation-wide industrial action by Organised Labour, Bearing in mind the spiral and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on world economy, Further bearing in mind that due to impact of COVID-19 pandemic the world is undergoing socio-economic transition which has affected price stability, sustainability of enterprises, employment, and other socio-economic indices, Acknowledging that the spiral and negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy has given rise to the need for a new socio-economic order, Recognising the need to sustain enterprises for retention and creation of jobs as well as sustainable growth and development, Acknowledging the need for social concertation between the Federal Government and workers’ representatives, namely the two Labour Centres – 

The NLC and TUC, To aid in the dialogue and communication, the Federal Government side made presentations to show the state of economy and the drive behind the recent cost - reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry, Bipartite meeting to address and resolve the issues in dispute between the FG and Labour Centres were held on September 15, 24, and 27, 2020, 

After exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by Labour Centres, the FGN stated that it has fashioned out palliatives that would ameliorate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience as a result of the cost - reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the Petroleum Industry. 

The palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support. 

After thorough debates and negotiations on various issues raised by all parties, the following resolutions were reached and mutually adopted: ELECTRICITY TARIFF REFORMS The parties agreed to set up a Technical Committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC, which will work for a duration of two (2) weeks effective Monday 28th September 2020, to examine: 

The justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost reflective tariff as a result of the conflicting information from the fields which appeared different from the data presented to justify the new policy by NERC; metering deployment, challenges, timeline for massive roll – out.

 The Technical Committee membership is as follows: Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN – Hon. Minister of State Labour & Employment - Chairman Mr Godwin Jedy-Agba – Hon. Minister of State Power – Member Prof. James Momoh - Chairman National Electricity Regulatory Commission – Member Engr. Ahmad Rufai Zakari - SA to Mr. President on Infrastructure – Member/Secretary Dr. Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen – Member (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero – Member (NLC) Comrade Chris Okonkwo – Member (TUC) 1no. Representative of DISCOS - Member 

The Terms of Reference (ToR) are as follows: To examine the justification for the new policy on cost - reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments. 

To look at the different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff vis-à-vis NERC order and mandate. 

Examine and advise Government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the six million meters

. To look into the NERC Act under review with a view to expanding its representation to include organized labour. 

The Technical sub - committee is to submit its report within two (2) weeks. During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost - reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments.

 The meeting also resolved that the following issues of concern to Labour should be treated as “stand – alone” items:

 The 40% stake of Government in the DISCO and the stake of workers to be reflected in the composition of the DISCO’s Boards. 

 An all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector operations as provided in the privatization MOU to be undertaken before the end of the year 2020, with Labour represented. 

 That going forward, the moribund National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) be inaugurated before the end of the year 2020 to institutionalize the process of tripartism and socio dialogue on socio – economic and major labour matters to forestall crisis DOWNSTREAM SECTOR DEREGULATION Consequent upon the critical review of the various challenges of the downstream sector of the Nigeria oil and gas industry vis a vis the incalculable losses associated with a subsidy regime the Country has been incurring in terms of, stifled growth in the downstream sector, diminished human capital development and massive financial leakages and flight. 

This is in addition to the dire financial circumstances of the Federation that precludes any ability to sustain any subsidy on PMS and making deregulation of PMS inevitable. Consequently, the Parties agreed to the following: All parties agreed on the urgency for increasing the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the overdependency on importation of petroleum products to ensure energy security, reduce cost of finished products, increase employment and business opportunities for Nigerians. 

 To address (1) above, NNPC to expedite the rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and to achieve 50% completion for Port Harcourt by December 2021, while timelines and delivery for Warri and Kaduna will be established by the inclusive Steering Committee. 

 To ensure Commitment and transparency to the processes and timelines of the rehabilitation exercise, the management of NNPC has offered to integrate the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) into the Steering Committee already established by the Corporation. 

 A Validation team comprising the representatives of the NNPC, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), NUPENG and PENGASSAN will be established to monitor progress of the rehabilitation of the refineries and the pipelines/strategic depots network and advice the Steering Committee periodically. 

 Post rehabilitation, NNPC shall involve the PENGASSAN and NUPENG in the process of establishing the operational model of the Nation’s refineries. 

 The Federal Government will facilitate the delivery of licensed modular and regular refineries, involvement of upstream companies in petroleum refining and establishing framework for financing in the downstream sector. NNPC to expedite work on the Build Operate and Transfer framework for the nation’s pipelines and strategic depots network for efficient transportation and distribution of Petroleum products to match the delivery timelines of the refineries as agreed. 

 The Federal Government and its agencies to ensure delivery of 1 million CNG/LPG AutoGas conversion kits, storage skids and dispensing units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme by December 2021 to enable delivery of cheaper transportation and power fuel. 

A Governance Structure that will include representatives of organized Labour shall be established for timely delivery.

 GENERAL INTERVENTION To cushion the impacts of the downstream sector deregulation and tariffs adjustment in the power sector, the Federal Government will implement the following: A specific amount to be unveiled by the FGN in two weeks’ time will be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme Intervention Fund and be accessed by Nigerian Workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural ventures through the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting. Federal Government will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.

 Federal Government will make available to organized labour 133 CNG/LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and provide to the major cities across the Country on a scale up basis thereafter to all States and Local Governments before December 2021.

 Housing: 10% be allocated to Nigerian workers under the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance initiative through the NLC and TUC. 

 Consequently, the NLC and TUC agreed to suspend the planned industrial action. ORGANISED LABOUR; ___________________ __________________ Ayuba Wabba, mni Quadri Olalaye NLC PRESIDENT TUC PRESIDENT _________________ __________________ Emmanuel Ugboaja Musa Lawal Ozigi, mni Secretary General NLC Secretary General TUC _________________ __________________ Williams E. Akporeha Festus Osifo NUPENG President PENGASSAN President ___________________ __________________ Martin Uzoegwu Chris N. Okonkwo President NUEE President, SSAEAC FOR GOVERNMENT: __________________ _______________________ Timipre Sylva Festus Keyamo, SAN Hon. Min. of State Petroleum Hon. Min. of State Labour & Employment __________________ _____________________ Alh Lai Mohammed Godwin Jedy-Agba Hon. Min. of Information & Culture Hon. Min. of State Power _________________________ Sen. (Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON, MD. Honourable Minister of Labour & Employment _______________________________ Boss Mustapha Secretary to the Government of the Federation

President Aviation Lions Club urges govt. to address falling educational standards donates textbooks to schools

The Federal Government has been advised to look into the falling standard of education in public schools in the country with a view to raising the bar in the interest of the future generations. 

President of the Ikeja Aviation Lions Club, Engr. AbdulRamah Musa made this call while donating textbooks including English, Mathematic, Agriculture, Biology, Physics, story books among others for Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools of Murtala Mohammad Airport. 

According Musa, the falling standard of education in public schools was alarming which needed urgent attention of government calling, on them to face the challenge squarely. 

He commended the government for opening schools in the country for the new acedemic session saying, it was the best decision to be taken.

On the donation of the books to the school, Musa who is also the HOD electrical MMIA said, it was their widow’s mite to boosting the academic performance of the students

He said they were increasing the library of Mohammed Airport Schools with 70 textbooks richer with donations by the Ikeja Aviation Lions Club. 

He added that this was also to equip the students in their studies and the teachers to give their best to the students.

According to him, whatever is within the aviation industry is part of their responsibility and to impact their environment through donations and other activities that will put smiles on the faces of all.

“And we are very happy in donating some books to them so that at the end of the day they will be able to impact their society.”

“We donated general books that are useful to everybody, story books, English, Mathematics and various other books that are very, very useful to them in their academic career.”

Engr. Musa promised that the club was ready to do more, adding that the students are the future of tomorrow and they must be fully equipped with knowledge for that tomorrow.

Guiding Lion of the Club, Engr. Teris Ihenacho called on parents to ensure they give their time to their children, monitor them to ensure they do not get involved in activities that will hamper their educational progression.

She urged parents to inculcate in their children good morals and to watch their association, adding that the issue of cultism was becoming rampant in schools.

“We have to start from the family, the government aso has a role to play but we as parents should teach our children how to behave very well in school, monitor them, make sure they are not involved in any cultism.”

On the role government should play, Engr. Ihenacho said, “the government should also engage the students meaningfully, put measures in place to curb cultism that has rear its ugly head in some schools now, government should not handle it with kids glove, they should punish severely those involved in cultism to serve as a deterrent to others.”.

Also speaking, the first President of the club, Alhaji Yahaya Gusau said, the donation was aimed at preparing the future of tomorrow today, adding that if this was not done, the future will be blink.

“Am very happy today, it is a very good one and as far as am concerned, we are at par with any Lions club in Nigeria”.

The Head Teacher of the MMA Secondary Schools, Mrs. Felicia Fatuade while receiving the donated textbooks said they were not surprised at the donations because the Lions Club have been involved in several activities in the schools.

She listed these activities to include tree planting, eye test for the teachers and giving of glasses and referrals to hospitals for further optical services.

Mrs. Fatuade applauded the club for boosting the academic status of the students.

“On behalf of Murtala Mohammed Airport Schools, the Board Chairman, the entire Management, we are saying thank you so much, we appreciate you, we pray that God will bless your efforts.”

The Club’s next activity in the month of October is eye screening for staff of the industry.

On a monthly basis, the Ikeja Aviation Lions Club engages in various activities as part of their contribution to the well being of the aviation family as well as the environment.

In the month of August, the Club embarked on the beautification of the environment with the planting of trees at the Hajj and Cargo terminal of the MMIA, Lagos.

Hausa man writes on why Yorubaland will never be conquered by Fulani Jihadists

If you carefully study the Yoruba people, they have a very strong ethnic bond which is very hard for external perpetrators to break.

I read their history especially about wars, I also lived among them some years ago. To my own knowledge, the only reason why Yorubaland wont be conquered is because of their traditional power, nothing again!

When fulani invaded hausa territory in 18th century, I couldn't comprehend till now why a foreigner will just come to your own land and conquers you. My historical research reveals that hausa people also practices traditions and there are Traditionalist in hausa land before Fulani Jihadists attacked them and conquers the territory. As an hausa man, I write with regret that we are confused in my land. The fulanis has mixedup with us. You cant identify an hausa man from a fulani, kanuri etc. We have lost the power to fight back.

Come to think of Yoruba people, the history recorded that the same fulani that conquered the hausa kingdom never succeeded in Yorubaland. Why?

I need to be sincere by putting aside religion, the traditional fighters in Yorubaland saved the yoruba Territory. The fulani attacked the yoruba kingdom suddenly and unprepared, but these men fought back to retain their Territory. They fought not with islam or christianity, they fought with both guns and Traditional power.

Write this down today for record purpose, yoruba will never be relevant again in life any day they do away with their culture or traditional practices. I have been to some countries where I saw yoruba cultures and Traditionalist, they are special especially in the western world.

Pastor Adeboye is not special because Christianity is a western religion, how can he be special when he's practicing a foreign religion. Christianity is like Islam that is well known. So you can't be special in that field. The same thing goes to the various sheikh, imams etc in Yorubaland. They are not special because islam is a popular religion brought to them. Just like almost all Africans.

If the fulani had met on Christianity or islam in Yorubaland when they invaded them in 18th century, then Yorubaland would have been like hausaland. But these Traditionalist fought with their powers by defeating the fulanis in various wars. I have read that fulani and yoruba are enemies historically.

Let me expose a secret, the fulani fears the yoruba people because of yorub Traditional power. Those practicing Islam in Yorubaland will be very easy for fulani to penetrate exactly the way they penetrated hausa people and Kanuri in the North.

Hausa was unable to fight back the fulani because of religion. Both fulani and hausa practices islam, so there is no a secret power in Quran that hausa will use against fulani because both of them knew about it. Look at the yorubas, they have something different which is known to them. And this is why they were able to use it against any foreign invaders.

Do not get me wrong, am not saying fulani, hausa or igbos etc in Nigeria doesn't have culture or Traditional powers. My point is that they didnt take those powers important, unlike the yorubas who made it important as their religion. Most of their kings are spiritual. How many of my Emirs have that type of power? Were there not hausa leaders in hausa kingdom before fulani conquers them? Why didn't they succeeded in Yorubaland?

The Amotekun, OPC and other yoruba security groups in Nigeria, do you think they just carry all guns and went to the forest?

When yoruba said they will mercilesly deals with Bokoharam if they (Bokoharam) ever tried to attacked their Territory, do you think this statements came from a pastor or Imam? It actually came from yoruba Traditionalist.

The fulani and other yoruba enemies have been looking for a way to penetrate Yorubaland, but this traditional power is their fear. Quote me anywhere. I know what I am saying! I am not a fool!

You dont compare black people with whites, we are different. We need to look back at history, I am an educated hausa man who knows much about history.

The day all yoruba becomes Christian's, Muslims or atheists will be the day Yorubaland will become ordinary and not culturally relevant like others. Then their closest enemies will come back and conquers them eventhough they fail to conquers their fathers in history.

Southern Kaduna is suffering death today because they have no special power for self defense. You can see how they keep killing them. Do you think if Southern Kaduna had been a yoruba Territory, OPC, agbakoya etc wont have confronted those killers?

Hausa is not the one killing them In kaduna, our people dont have that time. The miyetti allah and fulani should be questioned.

_Dr. Muhammad Al-Mustapha Zamfara, Nigeria._