Television Nigerian

A sociopolitical organization from northern Nigeria called the Arewa Youths Integrity Network (AYIN) has charged that the president has favored the Yoruba ethnic group while ignoring other Nigerian tribes.

The organization specifically denounced Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi’s recent nomination as the Federation’s Acting Accountant General (AGoF).

Since other Yoruba people already hold a number of important positions in the government, the organization said in a statement that it was disappointed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had appointed his Lagos kinsman to this crucial position.

Recall that Ogunjimi was named Acting AGoF on Tuesday by President Tinubu, who made the announcement through his spokeswoman, Bayo Onanuga. He is anticipated to hold this role until Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein retires in March 2025.

Madein’s pre-retirement leave and planned retirement are only a few months away from Ogunjimi’s appointment.

Northerners are equally qualified for such high-level jobs, according to AYIN’s spokesperson, Barr. James Ismaila, who claimed the group considers the nomination as a contempt for the northern region in a statement released on Friday.

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The statement said, “It is a huge disservice to the north to assign another Yoruba man, who is also getting close to retirement, to take the place of an outgoing Yoruba woman in such a delicate role.” This is something that we at AYIN vehemently disagree with and will not stand for.

“Believing in the unity of Nigeria, we pushed aside regional pressure for a northern candidate and backed Asiwaju in the 2023 election. In the spirit of justice and fairness, we desired a southern president following eight years of northern rule. President Tinubu appears to be deviating from these ideals, nevertheless. It seems that the only people deemed qualified for important positions are his relatives.

“We cannot continue on this way as a nation. Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and many other tribes are all part of Nigeria. Asiwaju need to serve as president for the entire Nigerian population, not just a select few. He has to overcome any inclinations toward partiality and nepotism. The group said, “We backed him because we trusted his vision; now he needs to live up to that trust.”

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network (RHAN) has praised the significant transformation achieved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under the leadership of Captain Chris Najomo, the Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation.

In a statement, RHAN’s Secretary-General, Opialu Opailu, highlighted Captain Najomo’s impressive achievements and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to confirm his appointment as the substantive DG

Opailu said Captain Najomo’s exceptional qualifications and experience make him an invaluable asset to Nigeria’s aviation industry.

With over four decades of experience in leadership, piloting, and regulatory expertise, he noted that the acting DG has demonstrated professionalism, industry experience, and managerial excellence.

“This is a man who has come into the industry not as a novice but as one of Nigeria’s finest aviators. Captain Chris Najomo is undoubtedly one of the most proficient pilots not only in Nigeria but globally. His wealth of experience and dedication make him an invaluable asset to our nation’s aviation industry,” Opailu stated.

“His tenure as Managing Director of an airline gives him a unique insight into the pains and challenges of operators. This dual perspective—as a pilot and an administrator—has enabled him to implement policies that balance regulatory oversight with industry development. His approach ensures that operators thrive while passengers enjoy safety and reliability.”

“Under this leadership, Nigeria’s aviation industry has regained its credibility on the global stage,” Opailu added. “The international community now respects Nigeria’s aviation standards and practices, thanks to the strategic vision and leadership of Captain Najomo and Minister Keyamo.”

RHAN further commended Captain Najomo’s impact on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, describing his leadership as transformative. The statement emphasised that under his watch, the NCAA has experienced a renewed sense of purpose and efficiency.

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“When you visit the NCAA today, you will find an energized and motivated workforce,” Opailu noted. “The smiles on the faces of staff members reflect the positive changes Captain Najomo has brought to the agency.

“This is a leader who prioritizes staff welfare, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement. His tenure has fostered an environment where innovation and professionalism thrive.”

RHAN appealed to President Tinubu to confirm Captain Najomo’s appointment, adding that he is the right person for the job.

“His leadership aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing economic growth, job creation, and infrastructural development. Confirming Captain Najomo as the substantive DGCA would ensure continuity and strengthen the gains made under his leadership.” the statement added.

The network also praised President Tinubu’s wisdom in appointing Captain Najomo and Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, highlighting their strategic vision and leadership in elevating Nigeria’s standing in the global aviation community.

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, entered a not guilty plea on Friday to the 18-count allegation that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had brought against him.

The charge involves allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and embezzlement of over N80.2 billion in public monies.

Bello replied that he was not guilty of all 18 counts after the charge was read to him.
The prosecution’s desire to withdraw an earlier application for abridgement of the earlier date set for arraignment was communicated to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, when the case was called for hearing.

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He said that circumstances had taken precedence over the application.

But Joseph Daudu, SAN, the defendant’s attorney, did not raise any objections, thus Justice Nwite approved the request.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s permission of unscheduled flight operations for Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti has been hailed by the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State as fantastic news that couldn’t have arrived at a better moment.

Segun Dipe, the state APC publicity secretary, praised Biodun Oyebanji, the state governor, for the development and called him a “promise-keeper.”

In a statement released on Thursday, Yinka Oyebode, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, said that the NCAA had granted permission for the airport to conduct non-scheduled operations under Visual Flight Rules for a six-month period, from December 15, 2024, to June 15, 2025.

In anticipation of the final approval for commercial flight operations, Oyebode had said, “The Ekiti State government welcomes NCAA’s approval for the non-scheduled flight operation, which allows private jets and other chartered flights to land and take off from the airport between 6 am to 6 pm (or sunrise to sunset).”

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“This is a promise made and a promise kept, a Christmas gift specially wrapped for all in the state,” Dipe said in a statement released on Friday. That’s our perspective. We are quite pleased and boldly declare that it will benefit us to everyone’s satisfaction.Right now, the focus is on what has been accomplished rather than what was said incorrectly or correctly regarding the airport project. The governor deserves praise from the entire state for keeping his word and disregarding the doubters until the project advanced.

This sums everything up: We had big dreams and big accomplishments. It is the accomplishment of today for the glory of tomorrow.

Although it seemed impossible for a state like Ekiti to have an airport, we can be extremely happy that wonderful things are happening to us in Ekiti in a variety of ways because, as the saying goes, “with God, everything is possible.” We also have a very driven governor in place.

And we think that the state’s good citizens will be quite happy that this is occurring to us at this important moment. There was nothing more anyone could have wanted.