The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Tuesday, announced that it would shutdown power supply for one hour at the international terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

The power maintenance shutdown is expected to occur between 1:30pm and 2:30pm on Wednesday.

FAAN said this is to verify the issues affecting the Bus Riser 11KVA high tension panel on the ground floor – North of the international terminal 2.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby notify all stakeholders and the public that a maintenance shutdown of power supply shall occur at the International Terminal 2(ITZ-2) between 13:30 and 14:30 hrs on Wednesday, June 05, 2024.

“This is as a result of the urgent need to verify the issues affecting the Bus Riser 11KVA high tension (HT) panel on the ground floor, North of the International Terminal 2 (ITZ-2) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos,” a statement by FAAN’s Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, said.

The agency assured that it would ensure that the shutdown has very minimal disruption to flight operations and passenger facilitation.

FAAN informed that airlines that operate within the maintenance hour would be relocated for check-in and arrival formalities at the International terminal 1.

“FAAN would ensure that the shutdown of power supply is with very minimal disruption to flight operations and passenger facilitation.

“The identified airlines, namely Rwanda Air (WB), EgyptAir (MS) and Qatar Air (QR) that operate within the maintenance hour will be relocated for check-in and arrival (parking) formalities at the International terminal 1(ITZ-1). All intending passengers on these flights should please take note.

“The Authority regrets any inconveniences this might cause our stakeholders and the travelling public.

“We are committed to world-class safety standards and service to all airport users,” Orah added.

Calls Accusations “False And Misleading”

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has denied allegations of misappropriation of funds made by Kafilat Ogbara, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.

The allegations were made during a programme hosted by Arise TV, where Ogbara claimed the minister had been petitioned and invited by the committee to explain the alleged misappropriation of funds in the ministry.

Musa Abdulrahaman, her media aide, denied the allegations in a statement, entitled: “Re: Allegations against Uju Kennedy, false, inaccurate and misleading.”

He categorically denied the allegations, describing them as false, misleading, and an attempt to discredit the minister, adding that the committee on Women Affairs has not communicated with the ministry regarding any petition or invitation for explanation.

Abdulrahaman said the Minister of Women Affairs has been praised for her significant impact on the lives of women and children across the nation, particularly in areas of empowerment, girls’ child education, and the fight against sexual and gender violence.

According to him, her commitment to transparency and accountability has been highlighted, with the office stating that she operates an open door policy and is accessible to all.

The media aide called on Ogbara and her committee to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, rather than being distracted by false allegations.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied reports that it is set to revoke the licenses of Unity Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank.

An online report claimed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would revoke the licenses of three banks, allegedly following the revocation of Heritage Bank’s license.

The apex bank, in a post via its official X account on Tuesday, urged members of the public to dismiss the report.

“The content is fake and not from the CBN,” the post reads.

Vanguard reported that on Monday, the CBN revoked the operating licence of Heritage Bank.

According to the CBN, the decision was made due to the bank’s failure to improve its financial performance.

The statement partly reads: “The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in accordance with its mandate to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria and in exercise of its powers under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Act (BOFIA) 2020, hereby revokes the licence of Heritage Bank Plc with immediate effect.

‘This action has become necessary due to the bank’s breach of Section 12(1) of BOFIA, 2020.

“The Board and Management of the bank have not been able to improve the bank’s financial performance, a situation which constitutes a threat to financial stability.”

Two individuals were pronounced dead following an explosion involving a suspected Liquefied Natural Gas tanker at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover on the outskirts of Port Harcourt in Rivers state.

The explosion occurred around 9:25 am when the tanker overturned while attempting to navigate the bypass at the flyover.

Almost immediately, it burst into flames, tragically engulfing a salon car with two individuals inside.

This unfortunate incident comes just a month after another devastating explosion caused by a fuel-laden tanker along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road.

The previous accident resulted in the loss of approximately five lives and the destruction of over 60 vehicles.

On the recent occurrence, the PUNCH quoted an eyewitness to have revealed that the two occupants of the car were unable to escape and were tragically burned to death.

“My office is just close by here. It was a terrible sight. Two persons inside a salon car parked nearby were burnt beyond recognition.

“The tanker was trying to negotiate through the flyover when it fell and the explosion occurred,” the eyewitness said.

Rivers Tanker Explosion

It is worth noting that the Obiri-Kwere flyover leads to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in the Ikwerre local government area of the state.

Another eyewitness, who identified himself as Lucky, said the sound of the explosion spread to residential areas near the flyover and caused panic.

He stated, ‘It was about past 9 am that I was driving towards the University of Port Harcourt that I saw the flames.

“I quickly made a u-turn because I was driving. Many vehicles started making a detour to avoid the scene of the fire, somewhere even videoing the fire with their phones”.

Confirming the explosion, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, “Yes, I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police, are on the ground as I speak to you.

“The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is still licking.

“So motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid any further casualty. The investigation is ongoing. “

The Senate on Tuesday promised to fast track its consideration and passage of a new Minimum Wage Bill for the country.

This is even as the Red Chamber commended the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for suspending its indefinite strike for one week.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made these remarks during plenary in Abuja.

Akpabio’s comments followed a motion calling on the NLC and TUC to suspend the strike.

The motion was sponsored by Senator Diket Plang (PDP – Plateau Central), who chairs the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment.

However, during debate on the motion, information got to the chamber that the NLC and TUC have suspended their strike action for one week to allow for further negotiations with the Federal Government.

Following the information, the Senate stepped down the motion.

Akpabio said: “Taking it (motion) will mean that we are jumping the gun and we are trying to settle the issues for them.

“There are many variables that they will look at – capacity to pay and the ability of states, local governments and private sector to even pay.

“They will also be looking at the fact that if the minimum wage is too high, then the possibility of retrenchment of workers will occur and I think they will do comparative analysis to know that the last minimum wage which was fixed at N30,000.00 by this parliament as an Act of the National Assembly, how many states were able to pay? How many local governments were able to pay? How many employers were able to pay?

“We’ll be looking at those things because it’s important that holistic approach be looked at and I have taken the suggestion that we should not rest until we arrive at an amicable resolution of the issue and that the National Assembly should also continue to make its own contributions towards the ongoing negotiations.

“On that note, I want to thank the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for listening to the voice of Nigerians and the international community by calling off the strike to enable negotiations to continue and we wish them well in the negotiations.

“On our part, we will continue to do our best by making contributions and at the same time awaiting the incoming Bill on Minimum Wage for us to enact for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso. 

This was confirmed by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, in a statement.

The statement, which was released on Tuesday, stated further that Prof. Kalilu is to serve as substantive vice chancellor for a single term of five years, with effect from June 12, 2024.

Recall that the governing council of the institution forwarded the name of the VC to Governor Makinde last week.

He said that the government looks forward to his hard work, diligence, and professionalism in realizing its mission for the institution.

Prof Kalilu is a well-established figure in the world of art and art history. 

He joined the service of LAUTECH on September 1, 1992, and was pronounced a Professor of Arts and Arts History in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, twenty-four years ago on October 1, 1999, and was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor on June 12, 2023.

Kalilu, an alumnus of the prestigious University of Ife and the University of Ibadan, is a polymath and specialist in form and material technology. His administrative skills and leadership experiences are intense, integrous and ambidextrous.

He was the Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts from 1998 to 2003; Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2012 to 2016; Chairman, Committee of Deans in 2004; and from 2004 to 2006 the Chairman, Committee of Deans and Provosts; he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH between 2006 and 2008.  

Professor Kalilu is a recipient of many national and international prizes and awards, which include: the Gold Medal in the 1978–1979 All Africa Painting Contest; Elected Membership of the New York Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to Science and Technology; Merit Prize in International Postage Stamp Design Contest in 1997; the Outstanding People of the 20th Century Outstanding Achievement Medal in 2000; and the Twentieth Century Achievement Award in 2001. 

His other prizes and awards include his selection as one of the 1000 Leaders of World Influence for the 21st century in year 2000 and the distinguished and exceptional Universal Award of Accomplishment in 2000. Furthermore, he received the Development in Nigeria Merit Award in 2006.

Professor Rom Kalilu is a member of several academic and intellectual organisations, which include the Australian Ceramic Society, and the International Association of Astronomical Artists. and is a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists.

Fifty miners have been reportedly feared trapped at a mining site in Niger state. The incident occurred after a torrential rainfall on Sunday in Galkogo community in Shiroro local government area of the state.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the site belongs to “African Minerals and Logistics Limited.”

An impeccable source told our Correspondent that one person has already been confirmed dead while six others are also confirmed to have heard various degrees of injuries.

Meanwhile, an excavator has already been sent to the area for rescue operations.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu said yesterday that the completion of critical infrastructure projects across Nigeria by his administration was a clear example of what the country was capable of achieving when its leaders decide to work together towards a common goal, irrespective of political divide and personal interest. 

Accordingly, he noted that the commissioning of the expanded outer southern expressway, OSEX, completed by the FCT administration, was  a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership that goes beyond political and other affiliations.

The President stated this  at the presidential commissioning ceremony of the full-scope development of OSEX from Villa roundabout to Ring road 1 (RR1) in Abuja. 

Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that the expanded outer southern expressway held profound significance for the FCT, its residents and visitors.

“The completion of this project is not only a piece of engineering but a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership.

‘’It is a shining example of what we can accomplish when we work together towards a common goal, transcending political divide and personal interest for the greater good of our nation,” he declared.

“I thank the Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and his team for quickening development and giving the residents of Abuja renewed hope,” he stated, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians,” he added.

Airline activities have fully resumed at the Murtala Muhammad Airport’s local wing in Lagos.

Naija News reports that this follows the suspension of the nationwide industrial strike by the organized labour group.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced on Tuesday (today) the suspension of the strike that began on Monday.

The strike resulted in the halt of all flight activities throughout the nation as the aviation unions participated in the walkout.

Nonetheless, airlines have begun to resume their services after losing a full day by grounding their planes.

According to Daily Trust, reporters who visited the MMA2 on Tuesday by 11:00 am, observed that numerous passengers were waiting at the entrance for the Labor Union to cancel the strike.

However, with the strike put on hold for a week, flight operations are slowly picking up.

As of the moment this report was written, a ValueJet flight to Abuja was preparing to take off, and another was scheduled for Port Harcourt.

It was further observed that the airport was relatively quiet after the strike was called off, but there are signs that operations are starting to get back to normal.

In a separate statement, the General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ocheme Aba, confirmed the end of the labour strike, saying all members have been mobilized back to their offices.

“Due to the agreement with the presidency, the strike will be relaxed for one week starting from now to enable the tripartite committee concluded deliberations on the minimum wage negotiation so, flight operations will resume now, have resumed actually because all the blockages have been removed,” he said.