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Aviation Industry: IATA Harps On Security Of Passengers

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The International Air  Transport Association (IATA) has reiterated that the security of passengers and employers is a top priority for the aviation industry.

As a result, IATA has urged the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to partner with the industry to identify the most effective and efficient ways to address the evolving security challenge in light of the foiled  terrorist plot to down a Detroit – bound aircraft.

In a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary Napolrtano in Geneva recently, the Director General and Chief Executive  Officer, Giovanni Besignam has expressed his appreciation to the swift reaction of DHS to maintain the confidence of the flying public and airline employees.

He maintained the need for short-term temporary and extra-ordinary security measures until the immediate threat has abated.

But he cautioned Secretary Napolatano that long-term solutions must include improved technology and effective risk assessment  techniques.

According to Borynani, the air transport system cannot support 100 per cent  pat-down searches over the long-term.

He noted that each year airlines and their passengers invest $ 5.9 billion in security measures.

He said that IATA is recommending a smaller percentage of intensive pat downs accompanied by technology or proportionate screening procedure as a means to achieve near-term security requirement with reduced delays.

While explaining that security is a government responsibility, and shared priority with the industry, Bisignani, however, urged DHS to allow the current short-term measure to be urgently followed-up by a comprehensive Dots/Industry review of security system to address existing and evolving security threats.

The IATA boss said that the failed Detroit terror plot has emphasised two key realities, such as the global nature of the threat and the need for effective cooperation and information sharing among and within intelligence organisations.

His words, “Effective security needs a system that is built on global harmonisation, effective  information exchange, industry/government cooperation, risk assessment and efficient technology.

This is how we made flying the safest way to travel.  We must take the same approach with security”.

IATA revealed that in the 12 months to September 2009, air transport connected 2.2 billion  passenger safely and securely.

This includes 820 million international travellers of which 140 million were international travellers on US routes.

Another component is the US domestic market which accounts for 620 million travellers.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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