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Cargo airport approval: Best gift to Ekiti in 2024, Afe Babalola
Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has described the Federal Government’s approval of an agro-allied cargo airport in Ekiti as the best thing to happen to the state in the outgoing year 2024.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) recently granted license to the Ekiti state government to commence non-scheduled flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport for six months, from Dec. 13, to June 15, 2025.
Babalola said this after receiving a letter of appreciation from Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti for his role in the realisation of the airport project, on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.
The founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) said that the development was a good beginning, stressing “if things had been like these some three years ago, Ekiti would not be where it is today.
” I thank Your Excellency for your commitment to this airport project. I thank you for all you have been doing, and still doing.
“Without a viable and functional transportation system, a state, a country is doomed.
” When America was discovered, there were no roads, but gradually and eventually, the whole area was tarred, and the whole area evolved to becoming a state (country) that is a clear leader in the comity of nations today,” he said.
Babalola said that a major constraint to people coming to Ekiti was due to bad road network.
” As a matter of fact, many organisations that promised to come and invest in Ekiti State cannot actualise their dream because the state is land-locked, airport-locked, railway-locked and industry-locked.
“But all is now beginning to change, and it will change to the advantage of all of us.
“With this airport, there will be many job opportunities for our people. People coming, in and out of the state, will buy from our various markets,” he said.
The ABUAD founder assured the governor of the support of the people to make Ekiti one of the best and safest states to operate and invest in the country.
“We will support you in all ways,” Babalola said.
NAN reports that the letter, titled: “Letter of Appreciation”, and dated December 18, was personally delivered to Babalola at the ABUAD campus by the governor on Thursday.
The letter reads: “On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I am delighted to formally express our heartfelt appreciation to you sir, for the assistance you provided to the Ekiti State Government, during the construction of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.
“I am delighted to inform you that on 11th December, 2024, we obtained clearance from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to commence non-scheduled flight operations for 6 months from 13 December 2024 to 15 June 2025.
“Your financial contribution for the purchase of navigational aids (CVOR/DME), control tower communications equipment, and the construction of the car pack, was invaluable to the accomplishment, and we are immensely grateful for your willingness to help
“Sir, I wish to notify you that the NCAA has outlined conditions for the actualisation of the full commercial flight operation status, which includes installation of Instrument Landing System (ILS), to enhance the flight operational capacity of the airport and we will count on your unflinching support.
“Once again, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and commitment to our shared passion and goals of development and prosperity for our dear Ekiti State.
” You are highly appreciated sir, and please accept the assurances of my best wishes, as always.” (NAN)
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)