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Senate decries high air fares, summons Aviation Minister for explanation

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Senate in session in the chamber

By George Mgbeleke

Disturbed by public outcry over the rising domestic airfares within Nigeria, the Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and other key stakeholders in the sector for an urgent interface with a view to cushioning the effects on air travellers.

Specifically, the upper legislative chamber decried the situation and we asked Keyamo, airline operators, regulators and other industry stakeholders to appear before it’s Committee on Aviation this week to clarify the reasons behind the soaring fares and to chart an immediate path toward stabilizing the them before the yuletide travel rush.

The resolution of the Senate
followed a motion raised under a matter of urgent of urgent national importance by Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC Oyo North) during plenary on Tuesday, during which he warned that the sudden hike in airfares pose a serious threat to mobility and could trigger nationwide travel disruption in the coming days.

Buhari, while presenting the motion informed that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now costs between N400,000 and N600,000, an amount many citizens can no longer afford.

He noted that the development has caused a lot of inconvenience for Nigerians, who travels by air, saying that they are being forced to abandon roads and railways transportation because of heightened insecurity in the country.

“We need to invite stakeholders of our airline agencies to interact and interrogate the issues. Immediate steps must be taken before the festive period,” the lawmaker said.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC Ogun West), said that airline operators have already been granted several concessions, particularly regarding the cost of spare parts and must therefore be held accountable for the price hikes.

In his own, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi Central), said invitation of the minister and other stakeholders became necessary due to the sudden hike in the air fares so that a way out could be sought.

Also, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC Ebonyi North) described the 400 percent increment as unacceptable, asking the Aviation Minister to rise to the occasion even as he called for the establishment of a national carrier.

However, Senator Orji Kalu (APC Abia North), to justify the air fares increases by pointing to rising operational costs and the soaring price of spare parts, an explanation that was met with rousing disapproval from several lawmakers.

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FCT court orders recovery of property at plot 18 Adekola Adetokunbo Wuse 2 Abuja

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FCT court orders recovery of property at plot 18 Adekola Adetokunbo Wuse 2 Abuja

BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

The FCT High Court sitting in Gwagwalada has ordered the enforcement for the recovery of property at plot 18, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent,Wuse two,in Abuja

On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the lawful owner of the property at Plot 81, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, regained full possession of the premises following enforcement by court sheriffs of a binding High Court judgment.

Legal proceedings revealed that the property was formally acquired by Collins Onwuzulike (the rightful owner) through a valid Deed of Assignment and payment executed on 1 May 2024. A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada ruled in favour of Onwuzulike, ordering immediate vacant possession of the property and directing all occupants, including Obi Cubana’s firm, to hand over the premises.

On the morning of the enforcement, sheriffs — accompanied by security agencies — arrived at the site. Despite reported attempts to obstruct the process, possession was lawfully transferred. Keys to the building were handed over to the owner’s legal representative in public and coverd by journalists, signifying full compliance with the court’s order.

This development officially ends the occupancy of the property by Obi Cubana’s operations under the trademark CASH FLOW (a lounge/nightlife hub), bringing closure to a protracted property dispute.

According to our reporter who was on the spot,observed that this outcome underscores the primacy of lawful ownership, due process, and enforcement of court orders. It demonstrates that, irrespective of public profile, no individual or entity is above the law when it comes to legitimate property rights and legal obligations.
This should serve as example to others who thinks they can manipulate the law to suit their purpose always.
The law is above any individual no matter your status and affluence.

The landmark judgement has reaffirmed public confidence in the judiciary.

It is always good to be just and fair in every situation, truth is the same anywhere in the World.
Hence people should learn to always do the right thing even when nobody is looking in your direction.

The landmark judgment has nullified and invalidated further tenancy of Obi Cubana and his sub-tenants and they were all ejected from the property.
The Court ordered them to vacate the premises immediately.
Everybody who has gained entrance through Obi Cubans had the loads removed to ensure full compliance with the court’s verdict and they were banned from parading the premises directly or indirectly.

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NDDC honours 203 staff with long service awards

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NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku

By Magnus Chukwudi, Port Harcourt

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has honoured 203 staff at its ‘2025 Long Service’ awards for their contributions to the Commission’s progress and performance.

The awards recognised employees, who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, and 30 years of service to the Commission.

Speaking during the award ceremony at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the awards were meant to motivate and build staff confidence.

Ogbuku, represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, celebrated the awardees and prayed that the years ahead bring them fulfilment, growth, and continued success.

He urged staff to draw inspiration from their colleagues’ achievements and remain committed to delivering quality service.

According to him, “The reward for good work is more work.” He urged employees to continue giving their best to the Commission and the Niger Delta region, stating that the practice to honour long-serving staff was a demonstration of the Commission’s appreciation for their years of dedication.

He noted that the awardees have contributed immensely to the management’s drive to move the Commission “from transaction to transformation.”

He congratulated the awardees on reaching remarkable milestones and declared: “Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence are genuinely inspiring. We sincerely appreciate your years of service dedicated to the NDDC.”

In his remarks, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, one of the recipients for 20-year long service award, expressed gratitude to the management for the recognition.

He noted that while some organisations fail to acknowledge their employees’ contributions, the NDDC has consistently rewarded excellence and commitment. He thanked the Executive Management for recognising the individual and collective efforts of staff, urging his colleagues to remain steadfast in their service and support for the Commission’s mandate.

The NDDC Director, Education, Health and Social Services, EHSS, Dr George Uzonwanne, who received the 20-year Long Service Award, described the recognition as a double celebration.

He reflected on joining the Commission years ago as a young doctor with many aspirations, noting that the NDDC played a significant role in his professional development through local and international training opportunities. ###.

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Tinubu Orders Withdrawal Of Police Escorts From Ministers …..As Senate boils over detachment of Police Orderlies from Senators …..call for exemption

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By George Mgbeleke

President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers attached to ministers and other top government officials, saying the security personnel were needed for core policing duties across the country.

The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.


Tinubu said he would rather have police officers deployed for essential security work than assigned as personal escorts to government officials.

“I would rather offer police officers from the VIP Protection or Very Very Important Persons Unit to perform real policing duties,” the President stated. “I honestly believe in what I have said and I call on the Inspector-General of Police, and I hope the Minister for Police Affairs is here, to take note.”

He explained that the decision was driven by the need to strengthen national security and ensure that available law enforcement personnel were properly utilized.

“If you have any problem related to the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said. “The Minister for Interior, along with the IGP and the Civil Defence structure, should replace those police officers who are on special security duties so that we don’t leave people exposed.”

The President also directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide additional intelligence and form a committee to review the current security structure.

“The first challenge is here and there, kidnapping and terrorism. We need all the forces that we can deploy,” he said. “I know some of our people are exposed, and we must make exceptional provisions for them. The Civil Defence officers are equally armed, and I want the NSA to take it very seriously, even to the point of arming our forest guards.”

Tinubu also charged the National Economic Committee (NEC) and the Vice President to accelerate the implementation of the livestock reform initiative as part of efforts to address recurring conflicts between farmers and herders.

“Especially on livestock reform, I think the Vice President should get NEC to identify which villages or grazing reserves can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches,” he said. “We must eliminate the possibility of conflict and turn livestock reform into an economically viable development.”

He emphasised that the initiative should be handled within the constitutional framework that recognizes land ownership by states.

“Whichever land they can salvage, convert it to livestock villages or other viable ventures,” Tinubu added. “Let us stop these conflict areas and turn them into economic opportunities and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Senate on Wednesday witnessed rowdy session as Senators kicked against implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s directive for withdrawal of Police Orderlies from Very Important Personalities ( VIPs) , angered Senators making them to seek for exemption and warning not to be used as scapegoats .

Recall that as part of trouble shooting measures against the problem of insecurity in the country , President Tinubu penultimate week ,ordered the Inspector – General of Police , Kayode Egbetokun , to withdraw about 11,000 Police personnel attached to various categories of VIPs across the country .

But complaints and concerns were expressed about the implementation in Senate during plenary on Wednesday on the strength of motion raised by Senator Abdul Ningi ( Bauchi Central) .

Senator Ningi who moved the motion through point of order , informed the Senate that the only Police Orderly he has , was withdrawn in the early hours of Wednesday while some other VIPs in the country are still enjoying the privilege .

He demanded that it should be done across board in the spirit of fairness and equity.

He said: ” It should be done across the board. Let’s see what happens from the office of the President, to the Vice President, to the Senate President, to the Speaker of the House, to the Ministers. Mr. President, I’m coming after they have withdrawn my only orderly.

“I saw two convoys of ministers and they were carrying lots of security personnel. Mr. President, I have also seen business concerns, Chinese and other business concerns, yesterday, with their compliments of orderlies.

“Mr. President, I have also seen daughters and sons of political office holders having orderlies and having security covers.

“Mr. President, I have seen singers having orderlies and complimentary protection. I cannot ever imagine that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has been here for a very long time, will have his only one orderly, withdrawn .

” I can take care of myself but let it be done across the board. Let me not see governors, ministers, and business tycoons , being escorted by security personnel.

” This matter should be addressed with all seriousness it deserved. I therefore , called on the President of the Senate , to ask the Chairman of Committee on Police Affairs to investigate why the directive is seemingly being implemented selectively . The National Assembly should not be used as a scape goat” , he said .

In his brief remarks , the Deputy President of the Senate , Barau JibrIn who presided over the session , said issue raised by Ningi was extensively deliberated upon by the leadership of the Senate on Tuesday.

He specifically informed the Senator and other affected Senators that efforts are being made to convince the presidency to exempt members of the National Assembly from orderly withdrawal implementation.

“I want to assure you that the issue raised to protect you is taken seriously, and that at the leadership side yesterday, we agreed that the course of action should be undertaken in order to restore your police order to you, because it’s in line with international practice.

” I’m sure we have a listening President. He will listen to us, and by the grace of God, he will save us from that order, which was given in good faith” , he said .

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