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Air Crashes: Senate Summons Minister …As Nine Perish In Kastina Auto Crash
Grossly worried by the spate of air disasters involving Nigerian airlines, Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Aviation, Stella Odua, to brief the lawmakers on the air worthiness of the aircraft in Nigeria and the operations of her ministry which has recorded more than seven air mishaps within the past three years.
This was part of the resolutions reached by the Senate following a motion sponsored by Hope Uzodimma, on the recent crash of Associated Airlines, which killed sixteen people out of the twenty people on board. The Senate also charged the aviation committee to investigate and identify lapses in the operational laws and regulations guiding the aviation industry, with a view to streamlining them to avert future crashes.
This is even as some of the senators disclosed that the Associated Airplane that crashed last week in Lagos was supposed to be on test flight from Lagos to Akure, rather than for commercial journey, having been under repair for a long time.
In his lead debate, Hope Uzodinma, recalled that within the last two years, the aviation industry has witnessed seven fatal air mishaps and two averted ones, saying it is unprecedented in the history of plane crashes in Nigeria.
However after an intense debate on the recent crash of Associated Airlines, the Senate expressed frustration over the apparent refusal of the executive to implement the recommendations of the Senate in the previous crashes.
The senators, expressing their dismay, also stated their resolve as lawmakers not just to lament problems in the country but to take adequate steps to ensure that their recommendations were implemented by the appropriate authority.
While regretting that they had debated severally on the poor state of the aviation industry, the senators, however, blamed negligence of duty, poor monitoring and lack of will to enforce the extant laws, for the repeated air mishaps in the country.
The upper house also mandated its committee on aviation to investigate the cause of the recent crash in Lagos, adding that the committee should ascertain the level of compliance by relevant aviation agencies with the recent resolutions of the Senate.
In his speech, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, commended members for the passion expressed while contributing to the motion, stressing that it was a pity that the country had lost many lives as a result of air mishaps.
Smart Adeyemi, in his contribution at the debate, stressed that the problem with the aviation sector was corruption, disclosing that the Associated Aircraft that crashed was on test flight.
According to Senator Adeyemi, the plane departed Lagos to Akure on test flight, adding that it was under repairs before then and was supposed to carry only engineers for the flight test and not passengers.
Senator Ali Ndume, in his contribution, noted that resolutions by the Senate were not implemented by the executive.
“Last time, we said that Dana operations should be withdrawn, they started flying few days later, only last week they said Dana has been suspended. We should ensure compliance after motion have been passed,” Senator Ndume said
Senator Ita Enang, called for a thorough investigation into the matter, saying that laws on aviation in the country were not enforced and that the minister had concentrated more on infrastructure and ecstatic while professionalism and suitability of the aircraft had been neglected.
Senator Enang reported that there was about 909 pages of recommendations on aviation safety, but nothing had been done to implement them, even as he said that in other countries, professionalism and retraining of professionals were taken seriously, which was not the case in Nigeria.
Others summoned by the Senate are the chief executives of all the parastatals in the Ministry of Aviation, including Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), yesterday confirmed the death of nine persons in a motor accident in Batagarawa Local Government Area of the state.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Alhaji Habu Dauda, told newsmen in Katsina that the incident occurred at about 11a.m last Monday at the entrance gate of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, on Katsina-Dutsinma road.
He said the accident involved a bus with registration number AA 479 JH, whose driver lost control while trying to avoid colliding with another vehicle coming out of the university.
Dauda said eight persons, including the driver of the bus, died instantly, while one other died later at the hospital.
He said six of the passengers were still receiving treatment at the Katsina General Hospital.
The commander disclosed that N678,095, sent through the driver of the vehicle to one Alhaji Nura Lawal, was recovered and handed over to the owner.
He appealed to motorists to always obey traffic rules and regulations, and called on the state government to block the U-turn opposite the university gate to prevent further accidents.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi,
Abuja
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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