Airlines to cut passenger loads on government's order

While the airlines have made it clear that that they'll stick with the directives of the Federal government with regards to passenger reduction, they have asked the government to speed up its aviation intervention programmes.

All domestic airlines operations in Nigeria is set to kick off on June 21. It can be recalled that this is the date that was announced by the Federal Government for the commencement of domestic commercial flight operations.

On June 2, the Federal Government had announced that domestic flights would resume on June 21 and directed airlines to take between 50 and 70 per cent of passengers on any flight. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had said, 

“The modality of operations by airlines and the passenger numbers will certainly drop and the load factor will also drop.

Only 50 or 70 per cent of the passengers should be taken. These are some of the things that we have been looking at.”

Reacting to the aviation minister’s remarks, the Communications Manager, Dana Air, Okwudili Ezenwa, said the directive was done in good faith and would be complied with, but was quick to state that the government had to support airlines. He said, 

“It depends on what the government will be putting on the table in terms of support for the airlines because we know that the industry is not booming right now.

There are certain things we’ve been asking for before now, like the removal of VAT and the rest of them, which have not been implemented at the moment. So if the minister advises that we should do between 50 and 70 per cent, there’s no problem.”

Ezenwa said it would be tough to forecast how the business would pan out once flights resume fully and urged the government to fast-track its intervention in order to help airlines implement its recent directives. He said, 

“We know the advice is in good faith, but we don’t know how the business is going to pan out upon resumption.

So it will be nice for the government to fast-track its intervention for airlines so that jobs can be sustained and the aviation business can thrive.

So it is in good faith and we accept his advice as the minister and at the same time ask that some of the things we’ve been asking for should be implemented.”

The Dana Air spokesperson further noted that all other guidelines of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority were being implemented by the carrier.

“The NCAA reeled out some guidelines recently and also requested trainings. It outlined some procedures and we are doing all that at the moment,” he stated.

On the serviceability of their airplanes based on the fact the machines had not been flown since the lockdown period, Ezenwa said, 

“We kept our engineers on ground all through the lockdown as part of safety consciousness.

This is because there’s no way you can keep an aircraft on ground for too long without flying it. So we applied for passes for our engineers and they’ve been on ground for the past two months ensuring our aircraft are sound. We are set to fly.”

The spokesperson for Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, said the airline was ready to comply with the demands of government as regards the resumption of flights. He said, 

“With respect to the date announced by the Federal Government, we are ready technically and operation-wise and we are complying with all the protocols that have been laid down by the NCAA and the aviation ministry. So we are ready.”

On the mandate by government that airlines should carry between 50 to 70 per cent passenger volume in any flight, Olisa said Air Peace was ready to obey the mandates of aviation authorities.

“What I can tell you is that we are ready to comply with the conditions given by the Federal Government. That is what I can say,” he stated.

The Corporate Communications Manager, Arik Air, Banji Ola, said Arik was set to also begin operations. He said, 

“There are guidelines put in place by the NCAA and just like other airlines, we are complying with those guidelines. Everything related to the restart of operations as spelt out by the NCAA, we are complying with them. So we are ready to start operations by June 21 as directed.”

Reacting to the reduction of aircraft passengers as directed by the government, Ola said, “All I know is that we are ready for the guidelines set by the NCAA and also ready to fly from June 21.”

IPOB using Christianity to wage war against Nigeria - Presidency

The Presidency has raised alarm over the misleading campaign spearheaded by the so-called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), using false allegations of persecution of Christians against the Nigerian State.

Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja, said that the Federal Government had since uncovered two interconnected campaigns being run concurrently by the IPOB in that regard.

According to him, both are using the cover of Christianity – and calling for a US Special Envoy to be appointed to stop the “genocide” of Christians in Nigeria.

He said the real purpose was to drive a wedge between the Nigerian government and its US and UK/European allies.

“IPOB leadership of course self-proclaims as “Jewish,” a position not shared by the generality of the members.

“For reasons of convenience, it claims to have an interest in the welfare of Christians – but this is a ruse.

The case for independence, IPOB leadership believes, is strengthened by `proving’ the government of Nigeria is `autocratic’, engaged in a `silent slaughter’ of citizens along religion and ethnic lines – and that, therefore, the only viable option for the unique religious and ethnic minority is a sovereign Biafra separate from Nigeria,’’ he said.

The presidential aide therefore advised Nigerians and the international community to be wary of this divisive campaign, “which available evidence shows is being funded with a monthly spending of $85,000 USD since October 2019, with no records of the source of this largesse’’.

Germany arrests 11 for abusing children sexually

The Police in Germany has said that eleven people have been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing children and filming their actions.

Hard disks containing up to 500 terabytes of data, including videos and photos, were seized from the phone of a 27-year-old man from the western city of Muenster.

Investigators identified at least three potential victims aged five, 10, and 12 years old.

Some of the suspects – who hail from regions across Germany – are related to the children.

Muenster police said in a press conference that the recovered footage showed shocking abuse over “several hours” of the two younger boys by four men.

“You can’t imagine it,” said lead investigator Joachim Poll.

“These men, if you can call them that, acted maliciously by encrypting all their discussions on their cell phones.”

Police said the abuse took place at a summer house in Muenster belonging to the mother of the 27-year-old suspect.

Germany is still in shock over an earlier scandal in Luegde, 125 kilometres (80 miles) from Muenster, where several men abused children several hundred times at a campsite over a period of several years.

Gifty Powers - "I'm not bothered about the opinion of others"

Gifty Powers, a Nigerian actress and former housemate of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show has told us how she lives life. She revealed that she lives life on her terms and isn’t concerned about the opinion of others.

In an interview with reporters, Gifty said,

“I think it’s okay to expose one’s body but it is not a do-or-die affair. As long as there is mutual understanding about limits on body areas to be exposed with the person in charge of the project then you are good to go. 

For example, if I’m to appear nude on the cover of a magazine, I would discuss with the creative director of that particular project about the limits to which I could bare my body.

No matter what one does, one would always get criticised; even while defending oneself. But the truth is that everyone is entitled to their opinions, whether pretty or ugly. I do not and will never hold such hypocrisy against them.

I only focus on important matters. The fact that I have an amazing mother who supports all my moves, a daughter who gives me peace and joy, my two younger siblings that crack me up with jokes whenever I’m down, is enough for me. Naysayers are the least things on my agenda.’’

Gifty also noted that being a mother had changed a lot about her. She said, 

“Being a mother is the most gracious gift from God that no one can tamper with.  It has changed many things about me. When I’m outside the house, I call my mum several times asking about the well-being of my daughter. 

Loving a child is something a mother cannot control. It’s like an already installed programme in one’s DNA. It may be quite difficult to explain. Until one gives birth, one wouldn’t know the feeling I’m talking about.”

108 year old Italian woman recovers from COVID-19

Fatima Negrini, a 108 year old woman from northern Italy, has joined the ranks of the very few centenarians who have recovered from COVID-19.

“God forgot about me,” Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera quoted Negrini as saying in its Saturday edition, reporting that the woman turned 108 on Wednesday.

The paper published a picture of the wheelchair-bound Negrini in front of a chocolate and cream cake, flanked by a carer with a giant heart-shaped birthday card.

The card said, “Fatima 108 We Love You!!! S. Faustino.”

"Negrini has been a resident for many years of the Anni Azzurri San Faustino nursing home in Milan", a spokesman for the facility told dpa.

"She caught the novel coronavirus in April and tested negative in mid-May, and was “always” an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient", he added.

According to Corriere, Negrini has three sons aged 89, 88, and 78, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Italy is one of the countries worst hit by the novel coronavirus, and the impact of the pandemic has been particularly hard on nursing homes in Milan’s Lombardy region.

On Friday, the Italian Civil Protection agency reported 33,774 fatalities, the world’s fourth-highest death toll after the U.S., Britain, and Brazil.

In Negrini’s nursing home, several residents died. 

“Fatima hasn’t realized yet who is no longer around,” Laura Catena, the assistant in the birthday picture, told Corriere.

The San Faustino facility is part of the KOS group, an Italian private healthcare operator which last year bought German nursing home group Charleston.

OPEC, others to extend oil production cuts

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its oil allies, which is led by Russia, have agreed to extend their record output cuts by one month.

OPEC and its allies, a group called OPEC+, decided in April to cut output by a record 9.7 million barrels per day to lift prices battered by a demand drop linked to lockdown measures aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

The group agreed to extend the deal on Saturday during the 11th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held via videoconference, under the Chairmanship of Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, and co-Chair Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation.

In a statement at the end of the meeting, the organisation said that all participating countries reconfirmed the existing arrangements under the April agreement.

It said they subscribed to the concept of compensation by those countries that were unable to reach full conformity (100 per cent) in May and June, with a willingness to accommodate it in July, August, and September, in addition to their already agreed production adjustment for such months.

They “agreed without dissent that the full and timely implementation of the agreement remains inviolable, based on the five key elements, and endorsed the ‘Statement on the Declaration of Cooperation,” according to the statement.

The meeting also called upon all major oil producers to proportionally contribute to the stabilisation of the oil market, taking into consideration the substantial effort made by the OPEC and non-OPEC participating countries of the DoC.

The meeting decided that an OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting would convene in Vienna, Austria, on December 1, 2020.

Rep member, Ahmed Jaha reverses rape comments, apologises

Ahmed Jaha, a member of the House of Representatives has openly regretted and renounced the comments he made at Thursday’s plenary. He gave a sincere apology to Nigerians, especially women.

In an interview on Saturday in Abuja, Ahmed Jaha reversed his comments at the debate that women should cultivate a habit of proper dressing to avoid unnecessary harassment from men who could not control themselves.

The lawmaker, representing Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno, said he regretted making such a statement as it affected the sensitivity of women. He said,

“I have made a mistake that has offended the sensibilities of fellow Nigerians and indeed, fellow human beings, particularly women who are our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.

While I totally reaffirm my position that rapists should face death sentences, I regret the part that talks about the dressing of women.

I deeply apologise for this position, because as some have rightly argued, my comments, could imply that women who are victims, share the blame of being raped.

This clearly, could not have been the intention of someone who suggested a death penalty for rapists”.

The lawmaker said that there were three sets of people who never made mistakes – “the dead, those incapacitated and those that are healthy, but useless to the society”.

Jaha said a woman’s choice of dressing could not justify rape, saying that if women who were the weaker sex show discipline by looking away when men were not well dressed, men should even do better.

“I know that it is a divine responsibility for every good man to protect and preserve the pride of a woman.

Most women are born with the natural strength of endurance, that is why they are able to go through childbirth, to nurture families, take care of relations and still able to earn descent livelihoods.

Women do things with completeness. I admire this so much, because I have benefited from the sincerity and commitment of women.

I hold women with the highest respect, with great pride and with so much love that is pure and responsible,” the parliamentarian added.

Ahmed Jaha also apologised to his colleagues in the house and his constituents who might have been disappointed by his comments, especially female lawmakers.

Nigeria's national walk champion slumps and dies while jogging

Kazeem Adeyemi who is Nigeria’s men’s 20km Race Walk National Champion, kicked the bucket. This was revealed by a statement from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

The statement disclosed that the athlete slumped and died while jogging.

Until the sad event of his death, Adeyemi represented the Nigeria Police Force, where he served for 11 years and was a Sergeant at the Ikoyi Division, Lagos State.

In the statement, the President of AFN, Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, described the deceased as “a national sports asset”. Shehu-Gusau said, 

“The death of Adeyemi is sad, especially at this time when the federation is putting plans in place to encourage our good athletes to take to coaching courses.

To lose such a dedicated and hardworking athlete, who showed great consistency is a very great loss to the federation, in particular, and the nation in general.”

The statement added that Adeyemi, who died on Tuesday, was buried according to Islamic rites on Wednesday, at the Agege Cemetery, Lagos State.

Born on March 1, 1985, the late Adeyemi won a number of National Championships, including the 20,000m and the 20km Race Walk in Calabar in June 2011; 20km Race Walk in Lagos in May 2007; the 20km Race Walk in Warri in 2015 as well as the 20km Race Walk in Kaduna in 2019.

He represented Nigeria in the 20km Race Walk at the 2003 All-African Games in Abuja where he placed fifth.

Check out the new look of Cynthia Morgan Madrina

Cynthia Morgan has released new photos of herself and we must say that she is looking good and well.

She was all smiles in a new video that surfaced online last night. We can firmly say that compared to her last IG Live interview where she looked sickly and pale, she is looking healthier and more beautiful currently.

We learnt from a reliable source that Cynthia Morgan Madrina is back in Lagos State. The source said that she is currently rebranding.

So, we'll be expecting some new hit songs from her as soon as possible.

Imo : PDP official who opposed Uzodimma charged with terrorism

Mr Ambrose Nwogwugwu who is the Director of Online media of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been arraigned before a Magistrate court sitting in Owerri. He was arraigned on charges bordering on terrorism and defamation.

This is as a result of some of his Facebook posts which are reportedly  "targeted" at Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state.

In the charge sheet marked 0W/217c/2020, it was alleged that the 29-year-old PDP official accused the governor of constructing a rural grazing area for herdsmen in the state. 

He also accused Uzodimma of planning to rename Imo State University after Abba Kyari, the former chief of staff to the president who died from COVID-19 complications. 

He further accused the governor of planning to divert N5.2 billion meant for pensioners in the state. 

Governor Uzodinma has reportedly denied all the allegations made in the posts shared on Facebook between March and May 2020.