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The Federal Government has established an aviation wing for the Nigerian Army, and acquired fighter helicopters for its operations.

According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the BELL UH-1H, HUEY helicopters were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday.

He noted that the establishment of the Nigeria Army Aviation Wing would help strengthen operations.
Nwachukwu said the BELL UH-1H Helicopters were equipped with advanced sensors and enablers to conduct a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, rescue, logistics, transportation and medical evacuation.

The statement reads: “NA has taken a significant step in enhancing its operational capabilities with the delivery of the first batch of new aircraft. The berthing of the aircraft marks a significant milestone in the development of the Nigerian Army Aviation’s capacity to provide air support for ground operations.

“The aircraft BELL UH-1H, HUEY, helicopters, were formally received by the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in a brief ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday 20 June, 2024.

“Receiving the aircraft, General Lagbaja, noted that the renewed drive to establish an NA Aviation wing was conceived by the then-former COAS, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, rtd, in 2014, with a three-phase ten-year implementation plan.

“The COAS extolled former Chiefs of Army Staff, maintaining that their tenacity and drive, along with the collective efforts of personnel and Nigerian Government’s political will, have been instrumental in realizing the fruition of NA Aviation.

“Gen Lagbaja appreciated the various successive administrations for their support in training NA Pilots and Ground Crews as well as putting in place requisite structures.

“The Army Chief also appreciated the forerunners, particularly the sister services and the Nigerian Police Force Aviation wing, for their support and encouragement. He noted that the NA is spurred to serve the nation better with the acquisition of the new platforms and provide Nigerians, an enabling environment for economic prosperity.”

The Bola Tinubu-led government via the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced the approval of N21 billion for the eleven electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide meters to end-use customers at no cost.

The N21 billion represents the initial tranche of disbursement, focusing on unmetered Band A customers over the next few months.

The initiative led to the creation of a Meter Acquisition Fund. Funds accumulated in this initiative will be allocated to DisCos to expedite the bridging of the metering gap across the country.

The provision of meters is expected to significantly reduce the reliance on estimated billing, which has been a contentious issue for consumers.

Also, accurate metering will help DisCos minimize commercial losses and improve collection efficiency.

More importantly, the overall improvement in the metering infrastructure is expected to enhance the quality of services provided to customers, benefiting all bands.

”This development will not only reduce estimated billing in the country but also reduce commercial and collection losses to DISCOS thereby leading to improved services which is expected to trickle down to other bands,” presidential media aide, Dada Olusegun, said in a social media post.

The federal government has decided to sell three ageing presidential aircraft so as to gather funds to purchase a new one.

Leading reporters reports that the decision will also reduce excessive spending on fleet maintenance for the aircraft which are currently unused.

The latest development comes as the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the purchase of two new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Despite the recommendation by lawmakers for the purchase of two new aircraft, officials say the government cannot afford it, and will instead use the sale proceeds to augment the cost of a new jet.

The sale of the three aircraft will reduce the number of jets in the presidential air fleet by half, from six aeroplanes and four helicopters to three.

The fleet, maintained by the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), includes a Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7x, and one Challenger CL605.

However, insiders reveal that at least half of the fleet is unserviceable or failing, necessitating the need to dispose of the burdensome aircraft. The jets slated for sale are a Boeing 737 BBJ, a Gulfstream, and a Falcon 7x.

“We saw the report and recommendation by the lawmakers. But the truth of the matter is that we can not afford to buy two aircraft at a go, even though we are selling off others. The approval now is to find one whose cost is not too much that we can augment with what we raise from this sale,” a government insider said.

It is understood that the federal government has appointed JetHQ, a US-based airline marketer, to broker the sale. Proceeds from the sale will go towards procuring a new jet, for which a search is ongoing.

Although offers for the ageing aircraft have been received, it is yet to be sold.

“Yes, we have received two offers for the BBJ and one for the Falcon X. But the NSA insisted that we must press for a better deal instead of rushing to have a bad deal for the government,” a Presidential Air Force (PAF) official involved with the process said.

This was also confirmed by Zakari Mijinyawa, a spokesman for the National Security Adviser (NSA).

The cholera outbreak in Lagos State has escalated, with the number of suspected cases rising to 401 and resulting in 21 fatalities.

The increase was confirmed by Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, in a recent update.

Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa local government areas have recorded the highest numbers of cases.

Cholera is a water and food-borne disease caused by ingesting the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It results in severe acute watery diarrhoea, which can be fatal if untreated.

The rise in cases was anticipated due to the large gatherings during the Ileya festivities, which likely facilitated the spread of the bacteria.

She said the Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other agencies, is actively conducting surveillance and monitoring the outbreak.

According to her, water sources, food, and beverages are being sampled to identify the contamination source.

“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination.

“We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected local government areas, to address the situation head-on.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as well as the Ministry of Tertiary Education to ensure all precautions are taken in our schools to protect children and scholars as they return.

“Residents must, however, remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera,” she stated.

Dr. Ogunyemi expressed gratitude to local, national, and international partners, including UNICEF, WHO, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and others, for their support in combating the outbreak.

In a major step towards boosting Nigeria’s oil and gas production, the NNPC-TotalEnergies JV has officially announced a 550 million USD Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye who disclosed this in a recent statement made available to leading reporters stated that the milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Executive Order on Oil & Gas Reforms aimed largely at improving the investment climate and positioning Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the Oil & Gas sector in Africa.

The Ubeta field discovered in 1964, North-West of Port Harcourt in the eastern part of the Niger Delta will, once on stream, produce about 350MMScf/day of gas and 10,000 BBLS/day of associated liquids, tapping into the vast gas reserves and contributing towards securing gas supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.

At the well-attended signing ceremony held at the NNPC Towers, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, while appreciating the support from stakeholders, highlighted the continuous support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in facilitating a conducive operational environment as a major enabler in achieving this success.

“We appreciate Mr. President for supporting us with the appropriate fiscal environment. The Presidential Executive Order is instrumental to us getting to this significant milestone and we are now seeing the impact of the policy,” Kyari added.

In his remarks, the Senior Vice President Africa, Exploration & Production, TotalEnergies, Mike Sangster, said “Ubeta is the latest in a series of projects developed by TotalEnergies in Nigeria, most recently Ikike and Akpo West. “I am pleased that we can launch this new gas project which has been made possible by the Government’s recent incentives for non-associated gas developments. Ubeta fits perfectly with our strategy of developing low-cost and low-emission projects, and will contribute to the Nigerian economy through higher NLNG exports”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly rekindled investor confidence in the Oil and Gas Industry, assuring Nigerians that more investments are on the way.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) , Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said the project is a testament to the effectiveness of Government’s policies aimed at creating a conducive environment for investment in the gas sector.

Located in OML58, the Ubeta gas condensate field will be developed with a new 6-well cluster connected to the existing Obite facilities through an 11km buried pipeline.

Production start-up is expected in 2027, with a plateau of 300 million cubic feet per day (about 70,000barrels of oil equivalent per day including condensates). Gas from Ubeta will be supplied to NLNG, a liquefaction plant located in Bonny Island with an on-going capacity expansion from 22 to 30 Mtpa, in which NNPC Limited holds a 49% interest.

Ubeta is a low-emission and low-cost development, leveraging on OML58 existing gas processing facilities. The carbon intensity of the project will be further reduced through a 5 MW solar plant currently under construction at the Obite site and the electrification of the drilling rig. TotalEnergies is working closely with NNPC Limited to enhance local content, with more than 90% of manhours which will be worked locally.

The Ubeta FID justifies the effort invested by NNPC Limited, with unyielding Executive support, into tackling the underlying reasons that have plagued the attractiveness of the Nigerian oil and gas industry to foreign investors in recent years.

The Ubeta project has a robust Nigerian Content plan and is poised to stimulate economic activities, create job opportunities, and create significant value for stakeholders.

The management of Transcorp Hotels Plc has announced Jorg Potreck as the new General Manager Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Trancorp hotels disclosed this in a recent press statement noted that Potreck
in his new role as the General Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja will lead a dynamic team of over 1,800 Team Members, managing all aspects of the hotel’s operational and commercial
functions to drive guest satisfaction.

Commenting on Potreck’s appointment, Andreas Lackner, Vice President, Operations, Africa & Indian Ocean, Hilton, said: “We are excited to welcome Jorg back to the Hilton family. With an
impressive hospitality background, Jorg is a seasoned hotelier who brings onboard a wealth of experience to lead one of our flagship properties on the continent.

“I am confident that Jorg will
help us deliver purposeful service and meaningful experiences to our guests and Team Members alike.”

Jorg Potreck, General Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja said: “I am thrilled to return to Hilton to lead the incredible team at Transcorp Hilton Abuja. Since the hotel begun operations in 1987, nearly three decades ago, it has remained a national treasure and landmark hotel, for business
and leisure travellers alike – setting the benchmark for hospitality standards in Nigeria.

I also look forward to developing local talent by creating personalised learning experiences and partnerships
that helps the team actualise their career goals.”

Potreck started his career as a Management Trainee in Germany in 1982 and progressed through the ranks before his first General Manager position at the Westin Leipzig, Germany 2004.

His previous positions include Cluster General Manager at Hilton Hurghada Plaza and Hilton Alexandria Corniche in Egypt, as well as Cluster General Manager at the Hilton Cologne and Hilton Bonn in Germany.

A new report released on Wednesday by a Dutch think tank, the Clingendael Institute, indicated that there was ample evidence that Islamist terrorists from the Sahel region had crossed into Nigeria through the Benin Republic border.

The jihad fighters were said to have settled in Kebbi State and the Kainji National Park, turning the facility into their base.

Reacting to the report, the director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said the military was not slowing down in its campaign against terrorism and violent extremism.

Buba noted that the goal of the military operations across the country was to destroy the terrorists wherever they were.

“The military is fighting the terrorists wherever they exist across the country. Indeed, troops of Operation Whirl Punch are conducting operations in terrorist enclaves in North Central which includes Kainji Lake Park,” he said

“Additionally, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji are equally doing the same to terrorists in Kebbi State and the west of the country. The objective of our operations is to destroy these terrorists and dismantle their military capabilities so citizens are safe and protected.”

The report said the extremists’ motive for settling in Kainji Lake National Park and Kebbi state was unclear.

They were believed to be affiliated with the various jihadist groups with links to Boko Haram.

The report said, “Violent extremists are present in Kainji Lake National Park just across the border from the Borgou Department.

“Evidence suggests this involves Sahelian extremists (likely Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin). Another group would be Darul Salam – a group linked to Boko Haram, if not fully affiliated – with an open attitude towards bandits.

“There has been a strong increase in the movement of unidentified armed actors along the Borgou border with Niger State and in banditry-related incidents since March 2023.

“The evidence suggests that there is a direct link with those operating in Kainji Lake National Park.’’

It added, “Since March 2023, unidentified armed groups have had a concealed presence in the Forêt de Trois Rivières between southern Alibori and the Borgou Department.’’

The Clingendael Institute said banditry was re-emerging in zones controlled by the JNIM in Benin, noting that the bandits appeared to have Nigerian connections.

The report also warned that the jihadists might threaten the well-developed cross-border trade system between the Nigerian and Beninese border.

“This system generates livelihoods for many people in the area. Livelihoods are at risk. There is a variety of markets and crossings connecting North West Nigeria and Northern Benin. Unidentified armed groups and Darul Salam operate in these hubs,” the report added.

Social media has gone agog as the a viral video has shown moment President Bola Tinubu was ignored by South Africa President during his inauguration in his second term in office.

Watch video below 👇