₦airaland Forum

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Mesfin Tasew has provided an insight into the involvement of the East African Airline in the setting up of Nigeria Air, saying the airline almost withdrew but the government insisted it should continue with the process.

This is the first time the Ethiopian Airlines leadership would speak on the controversy over the airline which dogged the last minutes of the immediate past administration.

Former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had floated the airline on May 27 which did not see the light of the day as it was later discovered that a plane belonging to ET was used to conduct a demonstration flight against the dictate of the process for the establishment of a new airline.

Daily Trust reports that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had sued the Federal Government challenging the selection of Ethiopian Airlines as the preferred bidders to midwife the proces.

But speaking with some Nigerian journalists in Addis Ababa, the Airline’s CEO stated that the East African carrier never had any plan to set up an airline in Nigeria but was invited by the federal government to partner with it to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air.

It also explained that the federal government requested that the Nigeria Air logo be painted on the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft be painted for inspection and the airline agreed.

“At one point, that leadership of Nigeria Air, which doesn’t include Ethiopian Airlines, asked us to bring aircraft painted with Nigerian logo to facilitate the progress of the Air Operators’ Certificate. So, we agreed with that, we took out one of our aircraft, we painted it with Nigerian logo, we flew it, it was for demonstration by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for their inspection. So, after two days, we brought back the aircraft, repainted it with Ethiopian logo and it is flying. So, while we were here, waiting for the decision of the court, now there was a change of government that took place.”

He said the airline at first resisted the invitation to set up the airline but later agreed due to long relationship it has with Nigeria where it operates to four cities.

He said while Ethiopian Airlines and the Nigeran government were preparing the shareholding, it received message that some companies and airlines in Nigeria were defaming Ethiopian Airlines and the federal government and had gone to court and obtained a court order to stop the establishment of Nigeria Air.

This prompted Ethiopian Airlines to want to withdraw, but the Nigerian government insisted that it should continue the process of establishing the national carrier for the most populous nation in Africa.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines said that until now the airline had not decided whether to continue the process to establish Nigeria Air but the federal government said it should continue with the groundwork until the court vacates the order, insisting that it was not cancelling the project.

Tasew emphasized that Nigeria Air was already established before Ethiopian Airlines was invited to partner with it.

He also noted that Nigerians would benefit hugely from the national carrier if eventually established because the federal government said that Nigeria does not have dependable airlines in the domestic and international market.

Tasew said, “Ethiopian Airlines didn’t have any intention or plan to setup an airline in Nigeria. In May of 2022, when I took my current responsibility (as Group CEO), a request came from the Nigerian government asking ET (Ethiopian Airlines) to participate in a bid and help the Nigerian government to set up a Nigerian flag carrier. It came in writing.

“Initially we didn’t want to go into that. We said we have other initiatives in other countries and we were busy. But the Nigerian government insisted that Ethiopian Airlines is an African airline, it has to help the Nigerian government in setting up the national carrier. So, we had to respect them. We serve the Nigerian public and government by flying to four cities in Nigeria; we couldn’t say no, we cannot come and help you. So, we had to submit proposal, we had to respect the Nigerian government.

“And we thought that the Nigerian government had choices, ET being one; because they had also requested other airlines in the Middle East, Europe to participate in the bid. I don’t know whether they participated or not. We submitted our proposal and we received a letter from the Ministry of Aviation, saying that Ethiopian Airlines has been selected to be a partner to set up the airline.

“Then the Nigerian government wanted the structure of investors to be Nigerian investing institutions and the Nigerian government wanted only 5 per cent shares to ensure that they have presence in the airline and to facilitate the establishment of the airline. We had a lot of discussions, we agreed but we had some differences in some points.

‘How Nigerian Airlines, firms started defaming Ethiopian Government, Airline’

“And while we were preparing the shareholder agreement, then we heard that some companies in Nigeria including airlines started defaming and objecting the establishment of the airline and defaming the name of the government and Ethiopian Airlines. At that time, we thought that if the Nigerian government doesn’t want it, the Nigerian public doesn’t want it, we could as well withdraw.

“But the Nigerian government insisted that no, that this is a strategic issue for Nigeria and we have to continue. When this group of people went to court, and brought a court order, we had to defend ourselves, we had to go to the court, together with the Nigerian government, including the Ministry of Transport.

“We had to defend ourselves. So, until now, it is not yet decided, as far as we know, it is under the court. But the Nigerian government insisted that we had to continue the background work until the court case gets decision.

“Nigeria Air was established before us; it is already established by the Nigerian government before we were invited. It has its own leadership, it was doing a lot of things, it had started requesting for the Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC), making preparations. So, when we came in, it was a matter of restructuring the ownership of that Nigeria Air. For your information, the logo was already defined by them, it was not by Ethiopian Airlines. And we thought that if Nigeria Air is established, the benefit will be for Nigerian public, for Nigerian government.

“Because when we talked to the Nigerian government, why do you want to set up a new airline? They said they don’t have dependable airlines within Nigeria and they wanted an airline that can provide dependable service that departs and arrives on time; that doesn’t cancel flights on the domestic market and also on the international market.

“The Nigerian government believes that airfares charged by foreign airlines are so high that the Nigerian public is at a disadvantage. So, the intention of the Nigerian government was to set up a very, very strong, reliable, dependable national carrier that services both the domestic market and the international. And we believe in it. that is why we wanted to move forward with it.”

Tasew said the federal government promised to get back to Ethiopian Airlines with a decision and the East African carrier agreed.

“In the first place, it was not our initiative, it was the initiative of the government. Now, if the government wants us to cancel the project, it is fine with us. We have no problem. If the government want us to continue with the project, the government has to solve the legal case in court. Otherwise, we are willing to support the Nigerian government in the establishment of the national carrier. So, we leave the decision to the Nigerian government.

“We have no issues; we will not be disappointed if it is cancelled. We are just there to help. And if the parties ask us to help, change their mind, change its strategy, we are fine with that. This is what we told the Minister; that we respect whatever decision of the Nigerian government.”

‘We’ve no intention to kill Nigerian airlines’

“But in our opinion, what has been said in the media is completely wrong. If we go there, our goal is not to kill Nigerian airlines, absolutely not. We have no intention of killing Nigerian airlines. Definitely we have to set up a reliable airline, we have to provide the service that fits the needs of the Nigerian public. In fact, they have to be strong.

“If these airlines cannot be strong, they cannot compete. If they cannot compete, then some of them can go out of business. It is not peculiar to air transport business, in any business where there is competition. The stronger ones will grow, the weak ones will get dwarfed.

“So, a strong airline will force the other airlines to revisit their efficiency. To revisit their operation, to provide more dependable service from which at the end of the day the Nigerian pubic will benefit. So, they said if Ethiopian Airlines comes, it will kill us, no. We have no intention of killing them but to provide good service. And some say no, they will come with all their old aircraft, no; that is wrong. We will come with good young airplanes.

“It may not just be brand new but airplanes like the (Boeing 737) MAX. In fact, hoping that the airline will materialize, we had signed lease agreement from Canada to lease three 737 MAX, which are one and half years old. They are brand new aircraft. Now, Nigeria said no we don’t need it,” he said.

The Senate frowned at what they perceive to be sabotage of the Federal Government’s effort to resuscitate the nation's refineries, in spite of N11.35 trillion spent on maintenance of the moribund refineries.

The Senate on Tuesday resolved to mandate its Committee on Downstream Petroleum to investigate all contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of all the state-owned refineries between 2010 and 2023.

The lawmakers also plan to ascertain progress on the ongoing works in all refineries in order to forestall waste and corruption and interrogate the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on the best approach to commercializing and/or ensuring profitability of the state-owned Refineries; and Invite the NNPCL, NUPRC and LNG to explain the nation’s preparation for Green Energy Sources in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Channels Television reports that the Senate frowned at what they perceive to be sabotage of the Federal Government’s effort to resuscitate the nation’s refineries, in spite of N11.35 trillion spent on maintenance of the moribund refineries.

The Senate has also raised the urgent need for security agencies to probe the circumstances leading to the Otukpo bank robbery attack on Friday, October 20 which claimed the lives of nearly of 8 persons including 4 police personnel. It also called for an unravelling of reasons behind the lack of intelligence and alertness on the part of the police on the day of the attack.

For the motion moved by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) the Senate also observed a minute silence in honour of the dead.

Danburuwa:
President Bola Tinubu received a temporary relief on Monday after a federal judge in the United States denied a request for an urgent release of the Nigerian leader’s confidential records compiled by American law enforcement authorities.

Aaron Greenspan’s motion on October 20 urged Judge Beryl Howell to quickly order the Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Department and other U.S. bodies to immediately turn over records they scheduled for release before the end of October.

“Plaintiff’s emergency motion for a hearing to compel immediate document production is denied,” Ms Howell of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington D.C. ruled on Monday night. “No hearing to determine the merits of this motion is necessary.”

Mr Greenspan, a transparency activist running Plainsite, filed the emergency request after Mr Tinubu suddenly deployed lawyers to fight against the release, saying it would violate his privacy, among other statutory rights.

Mr Greenspan said Mr Tinubu was trying to slow-walk the release of the documents, which the agencies had previously stipulated would be released in batches effective October ending, to foreclose any impact the disclosures may have on the ongoing election dispute at the Nigerian Supreme Court. Seven justices had earlier on Monday heard arguments from Mr Tinubu’s lawyers, as well as lawyers for Atiku Abubakar, the president’s main challenger.

Mr Greenspan has followed political controversies in Nigeria since his website was besieged by Nigerians looking for information about the 1993 case that saw Mr Tinubu forfeit over $460,000 to the U.S. government after being caught laundering proceeds of narcotics trafficking in Chicago. The records Mr Greenspan seeks could potentially help provide clarity around Mr Tinubu’s real identity, especially the name under which he first travelled to the United States decades ago. The Nigerian president has been known to use clashing identities in the past.

But Ms Howell, in her decision, said Mr Greenspan did not adequately justify his request for an urgent hearing on his motion for expedited release of records, especially against the need to protect Mr Tinubu’s interest.

“Plaintiff has not made any representation to the court that the balance of equities tips in his favour or that the granting of his motion would further the public interest,” Ms Howell said. “Given that the FOIA request is for records that, if any exist, may be of a highly sensitive and private nature and that the subject of those documents, Bola A. Tinubu, has had no opportunity to protect his privacy interests in any such records, the balance of equities militates strongly in favour of denying this emergency motion.”

The judge also approved Mr Tinubu’s request to allow his lawyer, Christopher Carmichael, to appear in the case, although she has yet to rule on the president’s motion to intervene in the matter.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of Justice, represented by Matthew Graves, had said the government would not be taking any position as to whether Mr Tinubu should join the case or not.

“On behalf of defendants, the undersigned counsel does not take a position as to whether the court should grant Bola Tinubu’s motion to intervene,” Mr Graves said.

Source- https://gazettengr.com/relief-for-tinubu-as-u-s-judge-denies-greenspans-motion-to-fast-track-confidential-records-disclosure-by-fbi-cia-others/

Nlfpmod
Yokiti
Domique
Mynd44
Lalasticlala

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the era of industrial actions in the nation’s academic environment has come to an end as the administration’s Students Loans Scheme begins January 2024.

He stated this on Monday while speaking at the 29th edition of the annual Nigerian Economic Summit, anchored by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), at the Transcorps Hilton, Abuja.

The president, who spoke on his administration’s plans to stabilise the economy, with the collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the private sector, stressed the need to immediately initiate a sustainable credit scheme that would aid an effective anti-corruption campaign.

“By January 2024, the new Students Loan Programme must commence. To the future of our children and students we’re saying no more strikes.

“There must be consumer credit, scheme will have to come to effect as soon as possible. I thank my team and my colleagues to build this programme, develop it now. We cannot talk about anti-corruption when you have to look for cash to buy a car, when there’s no mortgage for homeownership,” he said.

Nokio2:
dokita with small d
Him collect Chicago MBBS from vendor

killsmith:
Fake news

YinkaOlusesi16:
una like it or not, baba eight years go complete.

drlateef:
Same old cock and bull story.

AngelGabbyShara:
EX-GOVERNORS ADEBAYO, FAYOSE, FAYEMI, ENDORSE OYEBANJI FOR SECOND TERM IN OFFICE

…. As Senate Leader volunteers to chair re- election committee

....Ekiti people are happy with Oyebanji, says Bishop at First Anniversary Thanksgiving





https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0mSAT3rsFaT6x7XYsFSMHqcuMNvwMtrvdm2MWNmUMksVujw15u7qbMsWdA6zJqCdql&id=100069437032705&mibextid=Nif5oz

Feintline:
So they knew justice dattijo was to bow out and yet put him to head the the presidential election case.

I believe he has gotten the signals and has redeem himself and generations from the conseqences and calamity of ruining Nigeria for a global forger and criminal.

drlateef:
.

Because he wants to get Atiku and Obi excited again, just like in CSU case. He wants them to go chasing rats again😂😂

Ahead of the 2027 elections, the Senate is set to amend the Electoral Act to allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.

The Senate in a communiqué issued at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom state also resolved to also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.

Sunday PUNCH reports that in events preceding and after the election that brought President Bola Tinubu into power, there were a lot of agitations to allow Nigerians abroad to take part in the elections.

Also, a number of Nigerians called for the electronic transmission of results from the BVAS machine.

The Senate noted that it was necessary for the Independent National Electoral Commission should be unbundled to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in the preparation and conduct of elections.

The communiqué stated, “Relating to the use of technology in elections, remove the ambiguity evident in Section 64 of the EA22. Also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.

“Introduce diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.

“Relating to political parties; stipulate sanctions for failure to submit the register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses, or conventions in relation to Section 77(3) EA22, which the political parties have observed in the breach in the 2023 elections without penalty.”

The 10th Senate further noted that it was time to develop and enact a comprehensive national security strategy that outlines the nation’s security objectives, threats, and policy priorities.

The Red Chamber added that such a strategy can serve as a guiding framework for legislative action in the security sector.

The strategy it noted would, “Address the root causes of terrorism/banditry, which is often driven by poverty, inequality, and a lack of opportunity.

“Promote community policing and engagement to identify and prevent terrorist attacks. The government should also work with civil society organizations and local/ traditional communities to identify and address security concerns. “

The Senate added that it would, “ Establish independent oversight mechanisms for the security sector. These mechanisms can help to investigate allegations of abuse and corruption and to ensure that security forces are accountable to the law.”

The Senate further agreed that legislative engagement and oversight in Nigeria’s security sector can be significantly bolstered through comprehensive legislative reforms.

“These reforms are essential for ensuring that the legislative branch is equipped with the necessary tools and mechanisms to fulfill its critical role in security sector reform,” it explained.

The Senate concluded that “The periodic engagement of the National Assembly with the security chiefs for adequate briefing. There is a need for the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives to be part of the weekly security briefing that goes to the President.”

In a bid to salvage the economic situation of the country, the Senate has proposed the enactment of an Emergency Economic Intervention Bill.

It explained that “This will address critical socio-economic issues concerning foreign exchange management, tackling inflation, stimulating economic growth, and creating more jobs.

“Enforce consequences for violations of any provisions of the law regarding monetary and fiscal matters.

“This will require amendments to the relevant laws to ensure effective oversight and enforcement of the consequences, as the case may be.”

Also agreed was the “need for legislation that clearly defines the taxing rights of the three levels of government.

“ Need for legislative intervention to promote the optimization of revenue from non-oil sources, especially in the solid mineral sector.”

killsmith:
They could not fight the release of the document so they brought forward the case at the surpreme court.

JOemmy:
The release of the FBI files can only embarrass tinibu it won't influence the supreme court ruling I don't see how a yoruba cjn will remove tinibu nigeria haven't reached that civilized state yet am very sure tinibu planted him there because of times like this.

Kukutente23:
Another blockbuster coming up soon

drlateef:
What is all these rat race about? Why are these desperados jumping up and down like excited dogs? None of these documents will be entertained by Supreme Court.