Buhari Reappoints Olateru As AIB Commissioner…Matazu And Modibbo Now NiMet And NCAT Heads
President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Reublic of Nigeria, has reappointed Engr. Akin Olateru as the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB). Professor Bako Mansur Matazu is appointed the new Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) while Captain Modibbo Alkali Mahmud, the new Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria.
“In line with the administration’s commitment to the implementation of the Aviation Development Roadmap, President Mohammadu Buhari has approved some reorganizations within the Agencies under the Ministry of Aviation,” said a statement by James Odaudu, Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation.
“Consequently, he has approved the appointment of Professor Bako Mansur Matazu as the new Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the appointment of Captain Modibbo Alkali Mahmud as the new Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT) Zaria.” Read more
Breaking: Nigeria Suspends Emirates Flights
The federal government has announced the suspension of inbound and outbound flights by Emirates Airlines from midnight of Wednesday following the insistence of the Dubai based airline to have PCR tests for passengers embarking from Nigeria within 72 hours of their flights in addition to Antigen Rapid Test at Nigerian airports and another PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika announced the federal government’s decision on Monday while giving updates at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.
He said Nigeria as a country, considered as unacceptable and devoid of any sense of reasoning the grounds advanced by Emirates, adding there was no logic to take within 72 hours the PCR and a rapid antigen test 72 hours before flight as the coronavirus itself will incubate at least in or after 72 hours. Read more
FG To Reopen Kano Airport April 5
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Monday, said the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport would be reopened for international flights on April 5, 2021.
He disclosed this in Abuja at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
He also said the Port Harcourt and Enugu airports would be reopened for international flights on April 15, 2021 and May 3, 2021 respectively.
“The airports were shut down, like others across the world. We closed our airports as that was where the virus came into the country.
“We reopened some after many considerations with the other stakeholders. There were no ulterior motives for not reopening the Kano or other airports. There are processes to be followed,” Sirika said.
The Federal Government had, at the beginning of the ban on international and domestic travels, shut down airports in Nigeria to prevent importation of the virus.
The government had later reopened the Lagos and Abuja airports for international flights.
US Expands Waiver for Visa Interview
The US Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a non-immigrant visa in the same classification.
According to a statement by the United States Department of State- Bureau of Consular Affairs, only those applicants whose non-immigrant visa expired within 24 months were previously eligible for an interview waiver.
The statement noted that Blinken has temporarily extended the expiration period to 48 months.
“This policy is in effect until December 31, 2021. This change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff.”
The statement encouraged travelers to review the website of the nearest US embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.
700 Ekiti Landowners Paid N500m Compensation for Cargo Airport
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, once again formally apologised to victims of human rights abuse and violations in the state for the financial loss as well as the psychological and physical injuries they might have suffered.
The governor said the state was in the process of enacting a criminal law that would place the interests of the victims side by side those of the offenders.
Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti while presenting cheques for N7.4m to petitioners, who were awarded compensations by the panel of inquiry handling cases of human rights abuses by the disbanded police Special-Anti Robbery Squad.
The governor also paid N500m to about 700 farmers, whose land was acquired for the building of an international cargo airport in the state, saying, “The construction of the airport will, in the long run, create jobs, drive investments and our crops will be better marketed locally and internationally when operational.
“May I once again formally apologise to all the victims of rights violations as recognised by the judicial panel for the hurt they experienced and the loss that they suffered. It is my hope that this monetary compensation will contribute to repairing your financial loss and other psychological and physical injuries that you have suffered.
“The award of compensation to victims is just one of the steps we have taken to ensure that long after the panel may have concluded its work, our processes and systems will continue to provide effective and appropriate redress for victims.” Read more