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Forum Backs Keyamo’s Position on Allocation of Airstrip to Oyedepo, Others

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5 months ago

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The Forum of Security Experts (FOSE) has thrown its weight behind Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, regarding the allocation of airstrips to Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church and other qualified individuals.

This move has been surrounded by controversy, with some lawmakers calling for the revocation of Oyedepo’s airstrip license due to security concerns.

However, Keyamo has clarified that the House of Representatives did not direct the revocation of any private airstrip licenses.

In a statement signed by Danladi Adamu, the Forum hailed Keyamo’s efforts to promote Nigeria’s aviation growth, particularly his emphasis on modernizing Nigerian airports and investing in cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and security.

Adamu said the allocation of airstrips to qualified individuals and organizations, like Living Faith Church, offers numerous benefits such as economic growth, jobs and stimulates local development.

He added that private airstrips also increase access to remote areas, facilitating humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.

Moreover, Adamu noted that private airstrips promote tourism, enabling visitors to access Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, boosting local economies and supporting small businesses.

He added that Keyamo’s reforms has fostered an investor-friendly aviation sector, reassuring investors with transparency and accountability.

As minister, Adamu said he drives growth, modernization, and security enhancements while promoting Nigeria’s aviation growth.

The group, therefore, urged the National Assembly to support the Ministry’s efforts in enhancing aviation security and development.

The statement said in part: “The Forum of Security Experts (FOSE) strongly endorses Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo’s, stance on allocating airstrips to Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church and other qualified individuals. Despite controversy surrounding the move, Keyamo clarified that the House of Representatives did not direct revocation of private airstrip licenses.

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“Keyamo’s dedication to promoting Nigeria’s aviation growth is laudable. His emphasis on modernizing airports and investing in cutting-edge technologies enhances efficiency, safety, and security. Regulatory reforms encourage local and international investments, while investments in training and development of aviation professionals foster excellence.

“At the NCAA South-West Regional Air Transportation Summit (SWRATS) 2024, Keyamo underscored aviation’s critical role in economic growth. A well-developed aviation sector attracts foreign investments, grows industries like logistics, travel, and tourism, and connects Nigeria to global markets.

“Nigeria has achieved notable milestones in the sector, including improved ratings under the Cape Town Convention. The country’s aviation working group rating jumped from 49.5% to over 70%. This renewed confidence will provide airlines with better financial instruments.

“The allocation of airstrips to qualified individuals and organizations, like Living Faith Church, offers numerous benefits. It enhances economic growth, creates jobs, and stimulates local development. Private airstrips also increase access to remote areas, facilitating humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.

“Moreover, private airstrips promote tourism, enabling visitors to access Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and natural attractions. This, in turn, boosts local economies and supports small businesses.

“Keyamo’s reforms will foster an investor-friendly aviation sector, reassuring investors with transparency and accountability. As minister, he drives growth, modernization, and security enhancements.

“FOSE commends Minister Keyamo for addressing security concerns while promoting Nigeria’s aviation growth. We urge the National Assembly to support the Ministry’s efforts in enhancing aviation security and development.

“By working together, we can reposition the Nigerian aviation industry for financial capability and economic viability. Keyamo’s leadership has instilled confidence in Nigeria’s aviation future.

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“The benefits of allocating airstrips to qualified individuals extend beyond economic growth. They also enhance national security by providing alternative landing strips for emergency situations.

“Private airstrips also support agricultural development, enabling efficient transportation of perishable goods to markets. This boosts Nigeria’s agricultural sector, promoting food security and economic diversification.”

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Peace mission: Visit Ukraine before deal, Zelensky urges Trump

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April 14, 2025

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has implored U.S. President, Donald Trump to visit his country and see the tragedy of the current war before committing to any peace solutions with Russia.

Mindful of his abrasive meeting with the U.S. leader in Washington in February, Zelensky reiterated his respect for the U.S. position.

He stressed the need for Trump to visit Ukrain before any kind of decisions or negotiations.

He urged the U.S. President to come see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, and children destroyed or dead before making any peace deal.

He said that he was optimistic that Trump would then have a better understanding what he was dealing with.

”You will understand what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin did,” he said.

A Russian missile attack on Ukrain on April 4 killed 19 people, including nine children and teenagers.

On Sunday, a rocket attack on the Ukrainian town of Sumy killed at least 34 people.

Zelensky said that in his opinion, the Russian view of the war, which had been ongoing for more than three years, had prevailed in the new U.S. administration.

He was particularly critical of Vice President JD Vance, who led the attack on him during the White House visit at the end of February.

”I tried to explain that you can’t look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim,” said the Ukrainian president. (dpa)

ALSO READ:  Igala Forum Backs ADC's Leke Abejide For Kogi GovernorshipBy Abubakar Yunusa The Igala Leadership Forum (ILF), a distinguished assembly of Igala elites representing all nine local governments, including Bassa, has formally endorsed Hon. Leke Abejide, the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the preferred choice for the upcoming Kogi State gubernatorial election.In a collective stance, the Igala group has expressed its concern over the state's prolonged underdevelopment, poverty, and insecurity, attributing these challenges to the lack of competent and honest leadership by successive governors over the past two decades.With a keen desire to bring about a transformative shift in the state's trajectory, the ILF earnestly urges the people of Kogi State to exercise their voting rights judiciously and select the most suitable candidate for the task at hand.The elite forum emphasizes that supporting Hon. Leke Abejide's candidacy aligns with their commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of Kogi West, who have consistently supported the Igala community. The group also takes a critical stance against Usman Jibrin of the Accord party and Muritala Yakubu Ajaka of the SDP, accusing them of leveraging the current Igala situation for personal gains and vendetta. The ILF asserts that such actions have diverted attention from the genuine aspirations of the Igala community, necessitating a redirection and repositioning ahead of future elections.Ibrahim Oma Koji Attah, in a statement on behalf of the ILF, affirms Hon. Leke's friendship and sensitivity towards the Igala community, praising his track record of avoiding reckless statements or derogatory remarks about the largest tribe in the state. Furthermore, Oma-Koji Attah extends a call to other Igala candidates, urging them to foster collaboration and ensure that the historical relationship between the East and the West remains mutually beneficial.The group uses this platform to firmly caution Yahaya Bello against resorting to thuggery during the 2023 elections, asserting that vigilant eyes will be monitoring the process to ensure a fair and just outcome. Additionally, the ILF condemns the continuous misappropriation of workers' salaries by the government and places confidence in the Leke/Omede ticket to address this pressing issue.Meanwhile,the ILF encourages the Igala and Bassa communities to regard the people of Okun as brothers, fostering unity among the regions. The group places responsibility on Igala leaders who have engaged in unscrupulous dealings with Usman Jibrin and Muritala Ajaka, thereby undermining the integrity of the 2023 election process. The ILF firmly maintains that the return of the Ebira community to Lugard House in January 2024 must not be allowed.
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Army uncovers 11 illegal oil bunkering facilities in Rivers, Bayelsa, others

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2 hours ago

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April 14, 2025

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The Nigerian Army has uncovered 11 new bunkering facilities and made some seizures during a six-day operation conducted in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.

Spokesman for the Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, made this known in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.

He said that seven suspects were arrested during the operations.

”Troops seized 13,600 litres of stolen crude oil, 4,890 litres of adulterated diesel, and 37,700 litres of various other unspecified petroleum products during the raids.

”Soldiers in Rivers raided the Imo River area, where they discovered six illegal refineries and recovered about 11,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

“Troops deactivated 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers, and 540 sack bags filled with over 11,000 litres of stolen products.

“They also thwarted attempts by oil thieves to reconstruct other illegal refining sites in the Imo River area,” he stated.

In a separate operation in Ahoada West, Danjuma said that soldiers intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles transporting over 1,300 litres of illegally refined diesel.

“Furthermore, at Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema, seven suspects were arrested while attempting to vandalise the facility.

“Troops, after combing the area, recovered three wooden boats laden with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude,” Dunjuma added.

In Delta, he reported the interception of 25,200 litres of an unspecified petroleum product and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil from two tankers, a truck, and a bus on the Koko-Obitigbo Road.

During further operations, the army spokesman noted the discovery of 3,350 litres of adulterated diesel stored in 100 cellophane bags at Oton-Urakpa, Sapele.

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Other items discovered included three empty drums, two ovens, a metallic storage tank, as well as hoses and pipes believed to be used in siphoning products from pipelines.

“In Bayelsa, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and recovered about 2,100 litres of stolen crude oil and an additional 1,500 litres of stolen products Biseni and Okordia communities in Yenagoa.

“In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted 240 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in eight jerrycans during an operation along the Okobo-Uyo Road,” he remarked.

Danjuma concluded by stating that the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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NOA Honours Northern Christian Group For Patriotism, Religious Tolerance

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3 hours ago

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April 14, 2025

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mal. Issa Lanre-Onilu, has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals in recognition of their contributions to national unity, patriotism, and religious tolerance.

Onilu made the presentation on Monday when a delegation of the group paid a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

He commended the NCYP for supporting the Tinubu/Shettima Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, despite strong opposition from many Northern Christian communities.

“I have known this group for quite some time. You took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s ticket when others opposed it,” Onilu said. “Today, the wisdom of that decision is evident through inclusive governance and reform-driven leadership. That is what this plaque represents—patriotism and nation-building.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the NCYP, Isaac Abrak, said the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT who are committed to bridging divides and promoting merit-based politics.

He said their support for Tinubu was based on his track record as Lagos governor, particularly his reforms at the grassroots level and initiatives that turned street youths into contributors to the state economy. He credited these reforms with boosting Lagos’ internally generated revenue from N6bn to N11bn monthly.

The NCYP chairman also backed the Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy and offered the group’s 30,000-member network to work with NOA’s offices across the 774 local governments to drive public awareness and implementation.

“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots. We are ready to partner with the NOA to ensure local government autonomy works for the people,” Abrak said.

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Onilu called on Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration, highlighting ongoing projects such as the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the creation of Regional Development Commissions as efforts aimed at boosting economic growth and inclusivity.

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