₦airaland Forum

Thank you, @osita_chidoka for your opinion. However, to demonstrate your patriotism, sincerity and fidelity to the touted ‘Nigerian Pride’, the big puzzle is, why did you fail to similarly advise your boss, principal and mentor ATIKU Abubakar @atiku to immediately relocate from Dubai to Nigeria and sell off all his assets there in protest when the ban on visa and flights were announced? Hypocrisy has never been this audacious!

Again, it is curious that, as a member of the think-tank of the PDP, your election strategy at a time (popularly dubbed ‘the Dubai Strategy’) was hatched in the same Dubai and not in Nigeria before the ban was announced. Why export a purely Nigerian project to Dubai if you loved Nigeria so much?

For the avoidance of doubt, this Government is focused on fostering healthy relationships with major partners around the world for the ultimate benefits of Nigerians. Considering the huge investments and interests of Nigerians in the UAE, should we continue to engage in ‘Bolekaja’ (motor park) diplomacy capable of hurting the interests of Nigerians? Will the imminent return of Emirates to Nigeria and in reciprocal manner, AIRPEACE returning to operating that route, not lead to better competition which will ultimately crash the present high fares on that route? Who will benefit more? How many Emiratis visit Nigeria and invest here as much as Nigerians visit the UAE and invest there? Have you bothered to ask about the lifting of the visa ban before issuing your warped statement? For your information, that has been resolved too and the announcement is imminent.

Rather than craftily resorting to the card of false nationalism in pursuit of cheap political points, you should have told Nigerians the economic disadvantages Nigeria stand to suffer, if any, as a result of the commendable effort of the Tinubu administration to straighten our relations with our friends in the UAE.

I will advise your PDP to work harder to regain power in 2027 and maybe resume your hostilities with the UAE authorities thereafter.

No to The Return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria

The gleeful announcement of the return of Emirates Airline to Nigeria by the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on X is a sad reminder of the deepening lack of national pride and the growing irrelevance of Nigeria in the World.

The audacity of Emirates Airlines to even consider returning to Nigeria reeks of contempt and disdain towards our nation. The actions of the government of UAE and their airline, Emirates, from the unwarranted visa ban on all Nigerians to the suspension of flights, have been nothing short of a blatant attack on the dignity of Nigerians.

During my time as Aviation Minister, Emirates Airlines enjoyed an unprecedented two slots to Lagos and one slot to Abuja granted by my predecessor and sustained over the years. This gesture showed Nigeria's desire to forge close relationships and build regional alliances in the Gulf.

Yet, when Nigeria faced economic challenges, Emirates shamelessly abandoned us while other airlines stood by us. Emirates Airlines, arguably the wealthiest airline in the world, was the only airline that suspended operations.

All the African and European Airlines, equally owed by the Nigerian government, continued operating and weathered the storm with us as a people—a remarkable show of solidarity and a vote of confidence on a market they had enjoyed for decades.

Emirates Airlines, like UAE's Mubadala, the major investor in Etisalat Nigeria, fled at the first sign of trouble, leaving Nigerians stranded and insulted by their mean behaviour. They did not just walk away. The UAE government imposed an egregious visa ban on all Nigerians.

The imposition of a visa ban on all Nigerians is an unwarranted and vile display of aggression and dehumanisation of Nigerians.

Nigerians must say no to the unjustified stigmatisation and degradation of Nigerians, almost akin to the ghettos of 20th-century Europe. A national visa ban suggests a desire to humiliate and cast a slur on a people as a group.

The behaviour of the UAE government and their Airline is an unprovoked attack, and Nigeria should insist on a wholesome redress. As we speak, there is no word yet on the visa ban and no apology to Nigerians.

The Nigerian government must not allow Emirates Airlines to waltz back into our skies without being held accountable for their disrespectful and demeaning conduct. We demand a thorough investigation and restitution before even considering their return.

Respect for our nation and people is non-negotiable and an irreducible minimum. We will not allow our pride to be trampled upon by arrogant corporations or foreign governments.

This administration must reaffirm our priceless sovereignty at all times.

Our sovereignty is not for sale.

Osita Chidoka
22 May 2024.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, is scheduled to pay a visit to the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State today.

The emir shared this information in a letter labeled 'Announcement of Our Trip to Ijebu Ode Kingdom'.

The letter, personally signed by the Emir of Kano, stated that the purpose of the visit was to show "respect to His Majesty and enhance the longstanding warm relationship between the Awujale of Ijebu-land and our late father, the revered Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, may he rest in peace.

“At the same time, we will seize the opportunity to felicitate His Majesty for attaining the age of 90 years, as well as being on the throne for 64 years.”

Meanwhile, the 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker today at the Rivers State Economic & Investment Summit.

BREAKING: Heavy Security As Kano Emirates Council Law Scales First Reading

By Datti Ahmad
Wed, 22 May 2024

Armed security operatives from the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took over strategic places at Kano House of Assembly, on Wednesday, as the lawmakers commenced the amendment of the State Emirates Council law that created five Emirates.

The amendment of the Kano state emirates council (Amendment number 2) law 2024 (1445AH) sponsored by the majority leader and member representing Dala constituency, Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, scaled first reading.

Journalists who came to cover the day’s proceeding were asked to identify themselves before they were allowed entry while all roads leading to the assembly complex were barricaded.

The Kano state emirates council law 2019 which created five new Emirates was first assented to by the ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on December 5, 2019.

The governor assented to an amendment to the law in 14 October, 2020, and signed another amendment on 11 April 2023.

Section 3(1) of the law established 5 distinct Emirates of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye with Kano and Karaye having 8 local government areas of jurisdiction each, while Bichi and Gaya Emirates share 9 local government areas of jurisdiction each, Rano emirate enjoys jurisdiction over 10 local government areas out of the 44 local councils in the state.

Section 4 of the law established the state council of chiefs membership of which include the 5 emirs, secretary to the state government, commissioner for local governments and 5 chairmen with one each from the Emirates as well as 10 kingmakers and representatives from the business community and the security agencies and not more than two appointees by the governor.

Section 5 provides for chairmanship of the council of chiefs which shall rotational among the emirs.

When emir Muhammad Sanusi,who chaired the council, was deposed on March 9, 2020, the law was amended to read ” there shall be the chairman of the council whom shall be the emir, Kano emirate”.

Section 10 provides that the council shall perform the functions assigned to it by the governor and shall have the power to appoint district, village and ward heads and can suspend or dismiss same.

Section 11 provides that ” upon death or resignation or deposition of any emir the governor may in consultation with the council of chiefs appoint a successor of such emir out of persons nominated in that behalf by the kingmakers of the affected emirate”.

The law also states that where the kingmakers failed to nominate a successor within 3 days the governor may himself appoint such person from the heirs to the throne as he may deem fit.

Section 12 provides that the governor may grade the office of an emir first, second, third class subject to the approval of the state house of assembly.

Section 13 provides that the governor, after due inquiry and consultation with council of chiefs, may depose of such emir if he is satisfied that deposition is required in accordance with tradition or where the emir intentionally fails to attend meetings of the council for 3 consecutive days without valid excuse or he commits act of gross misconduct or abuse of office or immorality.

A principal officer of the Assembly, who does not want his name mentioned, said no Jupiter can stop the assembly from amending the law.

“We were ready for this longtime ago and Only God can stop this amendment. We wanted all these emirs to go 20 days after this administration was inaugurated but here we are. So tomorrow(Thursday) there would be special session of the assembly to consider and pass the amendment”, the lawmaker said.

However, minority of the assembly Abdul Labaran Madari has told BBC Hausa that 12 APC members in the assembly are now opposed to the amendment provided none of the 5 Emirates would be dissolved and the emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero should not be deposed and replaced with Muhammad Sanusi.

He said though the NNPP lawmakers in the assembly have the numbers to effect the amendment, the opposition members would ventilate their opposition.

Madari said the ruling party had perfected its plan to dissolve Bichi emirate as well as reinstate depose emir Sanusi. The other Emirates, he said, would left with 3 local government areas of jurisdiction each.

Ex-model accuses Sean 'Diddy' Combs of sexually assaulting her at his studio in 2003

Crystal McKinney said she was a successful 22-year-old model when she met Combs at a restaurant during Men’s Fashion Week in Manhattan.



A former model has accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexually assaulting her at his New York City recording studio in 2003 in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday.

Crystal McKinney's allegations are just the latest in a series of accusations made against the rapper and producer.

McKinney says she was a successful 22-year-old model when she met Combs at a restaurant during Men's Fashion Week in Manhattan.

The music mogul invited her to his recording studio later that night, according to the federal complaint filed in New York City.

The lawsuit states McKinney arrived and found Combs drinking and smoking cannabis with several other men.

She smoked some marijuana, which she "later came to understand" was laced with another narcotic or intoxicating substance, the lawsuit claims.

McKinney says she felt as though she was floating, then Combs led her to the bathroom, where he sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit.

[b]Combs then led her back to the studio where she lost consciousness, later waking in a taxi where she realised what had happened.
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Combs is yet to respond to these latest allegations.

The lawsuit comes just days after CNN aired security video that showed Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.

Cassie, an R&B singer whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, was his protege and girlfriend at the time.

On Sunday, the 54-year-old, released a video saying he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable".

He is not in danger of being criminally prosecuted for the beating because of the statute of limitations.

Combs, whose homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents in March, has faced a series of public allegations of physical and sexual violence as well as sex trafficking.

A lawsuit filed by Cassie in November alleging beatings and abuse was settled a day after it was filed.

The claim on Tuesday was filed under a New York City law that allows accusers to file civil litigation during a limited window, even if the events allegedly happened long ago.