Yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was held in honour of the victims of last Sunday’s Dana Air crash in Lagos, as well as those of the Allied Air Limited, that crashed at Accra, Ghana.

This is even as three ministers, Edem Duke of Culture and Tourism Development, Senator Umar Idris of Transport as well as Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, narrated their narrow escape of the ill-fated flight. While Duke was ferried into another airline against his choice of Dana on arrival at the Abuja airport, Idris flew the same plane into Abuja from Lagos while Obada was waiting to board the same plane from Lagos to Abuja.

The special session concluded the three-day national mourning as declared by President Goodluck Jonathan and members turned out to Council Chamber suitably dressed to reflect the mood, to discuss the incident, make relevant suggestions and express condolences to affected families and the country as a whole.

The Special FEC meeting, which commenced at about 11.45 am was for the first time open to members of the media who sat through the session, which ended at 3 p.m. The only memo for the meeting originated from President Jonathan which was mainly on the crash issue.

The meeting commenced with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, reading out the focus of the meeting, after which a roll call of victims was read out, one-minute silence was observed, followed by tributes by members of council, signing of national condolence register and the visits by the selected three teams , made up of six ministers, one from each geopolitical zone to some victims’ family residents in Abuja.

Aviation minister, Stella Oduah gave briefing and roll call of victims. She reported the dual engine failure at 3.42 p.m. on Sunday, June 3. Fire trucks mobilised within 20 minutes. Rescuers reported promptly immediately after crash. Victims include 136 adults, five children, six infants and six crew members. The pilot was an American, while the co-pilot was an Indian.

Oduah also reported that Allied Air cargo plane overran runway in Kotoka Airport in Ghana, on Saturday, June . She said the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) was being supported by the aircraft and engine manufacturers according to international laws. According to her, 148 bodies (including those on ground) had been recovered as at Tuesday.

The ministry, she said had taken the following steps: To re-intensify all the ongoing institutional reforms, a technical and administrative investigative panel had been established. They will commence work immediately to ensure comprehensive reports on airlines are submitted within six weeks. Panel will make recommendations. She said NCAA would be strengthened more, assured on immediate implementation of report of CBN/FMA committee and the commencement of total audit of all aircraft registered in Nigeria. She said the country had sent a request to relevant authorities for Nigeria’s participation in investigation ongoing in Ghana on the Cargo plane that crashed.

In his condolence remarks, Minister of Health, Dr. Onyeakachi Chukwu, condoled with the President, Vice President Namadi Sambo, members of FEC, bereaved families and Nigerians. “It was a weekend of sorrow for Nigerians. Actions taken so far by Federal Government ministry, Lagos State etc are all in good direction. Nigerians should remain calm and put their trust in God.

Government will ensure victims don’t die in vain. Aviation sector is like medicine, safety cannot be taken for granted. Government will take proper action if and any lapse is found during investigation. May God intervention heal our nation.” Minister of Interior, Abba Moro described the incident as unfortunate. “God will grant President Jonathan the courage to weather the storm.” He commended rescue workers and assured that the panel’s recommendations would address many issues.

Transport Minister, Senator Umar Idris said: “There is destiny in everything. There is hand of God in everything. Every man will taste death. Any time any one dies, his time has come. I used that same aircraft same day from Lagos and came to Abuja by 2pm. In the conduct of investigation, certain issues will be addressed to avoid recurrence.

Works Minister, Mike Onolememenen, said this was clearly not the best of time for Nigeria. “While we pray for the repose of the victims, it calls for retrospection. We’ve experienced several crashes. The circumstances recur years after. It appears that the only motive for operators is economic at the detriment of lives of Nigerians. It is time to float a national airline. It may not be wholly owned by government, some people can subscribe to it. The lives of Nigerians are too precious to be left at the whims and caprices of businessmen whose main objective is to make profit.”

Water Resources Minister, Stella Ochepe, commended Aviation minister for measures taken so far. She drew attention to the need to look at work ethics to ensure seriousness in all that we did, stressing service to God and humanity and not for personal gains. “Collectively, we should strengthen those we are doing well and jettison those we are doing wrongly and embrace best practices.

The crowd at Ghana crash site was well conducted but not so in Nigeria. Rescue team had herculean task to reach the victims at the crash site. We have to re-intensify our campaign of national reorientation. Personal letters of condolences should be written by you, Mr. President to all bereaved families that cannot be visited.

The problems in the country are too many. When certain things become too much, we have to draw closer to God. In addition to national mourning, there is need for three-day fasting and national prayer for God to be merciful and clear the cloud hovering on our nation. In the Bible, nations like Nineveh did it and God intervened and so did Queen Esther and God intervened and saved the Jews.

The Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “To the bereaved, we cannot replace their loved ones. But we can enhance safety so that our airspace will not become a place of carnage and loss of lives. We should also look at the financial and economic strength of the airlines to work towards consolidation.”

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina, said: “We must take every measure to say never again. The number of economic operators not in aviation sector alone but in all sectors. Investigations are always conducted without implementation. This must not continue. Total overhaul of the aviation. Federal Capital Territory Minister, Bala Mohammed said: “Aviation sector has witnessed a lot of turn around. We have a lot of gaps in terms of infrastructure, personnel etc. But still, we have done a lot. We have to make a lot of sacrifices financially to get equipment and training. Compensation and insurance should come quicker than before.”

Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke said: “I watched the take off of the aircraft at the airport before I left Abuja. We saw the fire when we were landing and we asked ourselves what was causing the fire. I was very sad on landing to hear that the plane had crashed.

We lost five of our trusted hands. It is a turbulent time for Nigeria. Our prayers must be deeper because deep must call to deep. We must further tighten our delivery. We need to say that 20 years old plane can fly, they do all over the world. But we must ensure that engines are replaced when due. Punitive measure when we find out the cause must be fully implemented.”

Head of Service of the Federation, Isa Bello Sali, described the incident as tragic as many professionals perished in the crash. “We join all Nigerians in mourning.” Minister of Culture and Tourism Edem Duke said infants, who had no knowledge of the world, young adults with visions and ambitions, professionals who had contributed immensely all perished. “A critical lesson to the living is that the future is not in our hands.

Those who have the opportunity to serve this country must ensure love bond and know that every minute counts. I was lucky to be navigated around them and ushered into another flight, which was not my preferred flight.

The Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide said: “We can use it to show that we value every life and that we can transform Nigeria especially the Aviation sector. There should be no cover-up. Ensure thorough job. Ensure all airlines, domestic and international, passenger and cargo, should be uncovered. International Aviation experts should be included in the investigation.

Minister of State for Agriculture, Bukar Tijani said: “It is a period of reflection. Our destinies are not in our palms. God decides when and how we return.” The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina said: “I have phobia for aircraft. I am always tensed when I enter aircraft. It is a national tragedy. We have been praying but we need to intensify our prayers. So many things have happened.”

The Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe said, 75 per cent of plane crashes worldwide was attributed to human error and further to finance. “A lot of money needed for equipment, capacity building etc. We need to create a framework to make funds available to the sector. It is another wake up call.”

Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Orthum said, it was a trial and setback. “Do not be distracted. It is important that we draw closer to God at this time. Nobody has its destiny on its hand. He quoted 2 Chronicles 7.14. We need healing and God can do that for us.”

Minister of State for Education Wike said: “I see the mood of people who are in pain and sorrow. Most trying period of this administration. It occurred at a time the transformation agenda is on cause. Nigerians should be patient and await the outcome of the steps taken so far.”

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mobolaji Johnson decried the insensitive manner the use of communication gadgets were deployed. “A few hours after the incident, causes were speculated. A victim’s wife got to know about the crash through BB used to spread manifest. Nigerians should be responsible as we use the technology.”

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu said, “Is shocking and unbelievable, it is a total calamity. Children orphaned, family wiped out. I commend Nigerians who started rescue operations before agencies of government arrived. People found culpable should be dealt it. People should exercise duty of care.

Minister of State Niger Delta Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi said, “Destiny can’t be changed. Prayers are necessary. We need to give the necessary support to the aviation minister to put an end to the incessant tragedy. Build more capacity in rescue works”.

Minister of National Planning Shamsudeen Usman said, “Investigate properly and take appropriate steps. We need to take certain steps ourselves. We can’t just say it is predestined. Issue of corporate governance and ethics of works of Indians have gotten to their country and they are also concern. Nigeria is not being vilified on this”.

Minister of Education, Prof. Rukiyyah Rufa’i said her Ministry lost six person’s including the husband of the Minister of State 1 on Foreign Affairs, who were on national assignment and said those culpable should be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.

Vice President Namadi Sambo said the reports by the committee set up by the President would help in sanitising the industry. He offered prayers for the repose of souls of the departed and fortitude for the love ones to bear the loss.


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