Security

By Usman Sani

The Nigerian Airforce says an air component of Operation Delta Safe has on June 7th, successfully destroyed two illegal refining sites, IRS, situated along the banks of Imo River.

The illegal sites, located near Obiaku and in close proximity to the Imo/Abia/Rivers States borders, consisted of two tanks and a reservoir in one location, and three tanks and two reservoirs in another location along the Imo Riverbank.

According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet says observing that the sites were active, authorization was sought and received for air strikes on the targets.

Subsequently, airstrikes by the air component of Operation Delta Safe were conducted, which destroyed the two sites, as well as the surface tanks and reservoirs.

The statement assures that air operations under Operation Delta Safe will be intensified especially within the areas of interest in efforts at curtailing the activities of criminal elements.

It points out that the successes recorded in destroying these IRS brings to the fore, the necessity of a NAF Base in Abia State, which Governor Alex Otti and Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar both agreed was long overdue.

The statement adds that NAF’s continued efforts in all ongoing operations, yet again, underscores its commitment to maintaining aerial dominance over the Nigerian skies, while collaborating with surface forces towards the safety and security of Nigeria and its citizenry.

Last Flight Departs Nigeria Early Hours of Monday, 10th of June 2024, 72 hours before closure of Saudi airspace.

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Transportation

Osun state government has handed over the Ido Osun airport corridor and aviation runway project to the Nigerian Airforce.

The official handing over which took place in Osogbo is to help the Nigerian Airforce in realizing its proposed Aviation technology city to be built in Osun state.

Speaking at the handing over event, Governnor Oyetola said the runway which was part of the Osun state airport would help the Nigerian Airforce in its operations and fastrack the development of the state airport.

Governor Oyetola promised the Nigerian Airforce necessary assistance to achieve easy take-off of its operations in the state.

Earlier in his address, the chief of Air staff, Air vice Marshall Isiaka Amoo represented by Air vice Marshall Moses Onilede said work would soon commence on the project as soon as agreements are reached with necessary partners.

Air vice Marshall Amoo explained that the aviation city, would have among other things, aircraft manufacturing plant, maintenance repair organization and unmanned area vehicle production center which made the runway a crucial factor.

In a remark, the state Commissioner for works, Engineer Remi omowaye explained that the aviation city would have the civil operations corridor as well as military operations corridor.

Abiodun Adeoye

Yoruba

Ilé isẹ́ ọmọ ogun ojú òfurufú ilẹ̀ yíì, NAF, ti rọ àwọn èèyàn láti máà sàtìtilẹyìn fákitiyan àwọn òsìsẹ́ aláàbo gbogbo, kópin lè dé bá àbò tó mẹ́hẹ yíká ilẹ̀ Nàijírìa.

Ọga ọmọ ogun ojú òfurufú , Sunday Makinde ló pàrọwà yíì lẹ́yìn ètò ìsìn alájùmọ̀se kan towa ye láti fi sàmì ayẹyẹ ọdún kẹtàdínlọ́gọ́ta ilé-isẹ́ ọmọ ogun ojú òfurufú ọ̀hún.

Gẹ́gẹ́ bọgagun ojú òfurufú náà sewípé, àtìlẹyìn aráàlu nìkan lọ́nà kan gbogi láti sàseyọ́rí lórí ìgbésẹ̀ gbígbógun ti ìwà ìgbésùnmọ̀mí àtọ̀rọ̀ àilétò àbò tó gogò láwọn apá ibíkan nílẹ̀ yíì, èyí tón lọ́wọ́.

Kò sài fọwọ́ ìdánilójú sọ̀yà pé, ilé-isẹ́ ọmọ ogun ojú òfurufú náà lábẹ́ olùdarí ọ̀gágun Isiaka Amọo yóò tẹ̀síwájú láti pèsè ètò àbò tó wa níkapá rẹ̀ látorí òfurufú nígbogbo ẹkùn tónbẹ nílẹ̀ yíì, láti lè sàseyọ́rí lórí ìgbésẹ̀ náà.

Ọgagun Makinde wá tẹnumọ́ ìpinnu rẹ̀ láti sisẹ́ lórí ọ̀nà tabo àti ìsọ̀kan ilẹ̀ Nàijírìa yóò fi rẹ́sẹ̀ walẹ̀.

Biyi Fadahunsi/ Folakemi Wojuade

News Analysis

Air transport is the fastest means of commuting the public from one location to another.

Its impact on economic development of any nation is massive.

Nigeria used to operate a national carrier known as “Nigeria Airways” before it went into liquidation in 2004.

Since that time, Nigeria’s airspace has been operated by conglomerates owning fleets, running both domestic and foreign transportation.

The operations are either managed directly by the airlines or outsourced.

An essential aspect of air transportation is safety and this cannot be compromised as the lives of the travelling public must be protected to have a thriving aviation industry.

However, in the recent past, the nation’s aviation industry has witnessed loss of lives and property worth billions of naira.

 The most recent was the air crash that involved an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Airforce in Abuja where seven personnel lost their lives.  

The number of people dying through plane crashes can be controlled if all airlines employ capable hands and purchase modern and air worthy aircraft.

The recurrence of air crashes in Nigeria has brought to the front burner efforts by the government to close gaps in air safety, which experts have over the years, attributed to obsolete infrastructure.

This is why the recent military aircraft crashed calls for thorough investigations by stakeholders.

The plane was scheduled to conduct a surveillance mission in connection with an operation to rescue students and staff abducted from a school in Kagara, Niger State.

The air force said an investigation into the accident was underway.

Findings from these investigations should be made public while appropriate mechanism should be put in place to avert future occurrence.

It is pertinent that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority mandate every service provider to operate their airline to be at par with international best practices.

While air traffic volume is expected to increase in future, it is urgent to establish a safer and more efficient air traffic system as well as improve infrastructure at airports across the country.

Although, accidents are unplanned for, what is important is that the devastating effect is minimal and future occurrence is prevented through plans and preparation.

Government needs to improve safety measures in various fields by improving air transport environment, ensuring safety of aviation systems, ensuring the safety of aircraft, and improving rescue and emergency service systems.

In addition, government should comprehensively and systematically promote other measures desirable to ensure safer air space in the country.

Fawzeeyah Kasheem

Sport

Five hundred and ninety two athletes from nine Military and paramilitary agencies will take part in fifteen sports at the 4th edition of the One Service, One Medal Games which begins today in Abuja.

According  to a statement by the Media Office of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Fifteen Military and Paramilitary Agencies had indicated interest to participate in the event which was earlier billed for Kaduna last year while nine Agencies eventually registered for fifteen sports.

Events to be competed for include Athletics, Table-Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting, Squash, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting and Tug of War.

Others are Swimming, Golf, Chess, Beach Volleyball, Scrabble and Taekwondo.

Participating agencies are Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Customs Service, Immigration, Nigerian Police, EFCC, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, NSCDC, Nigerian Airforce and Nigerian Navy.

Olaolu Fawole

Security

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar says Nigerian Airforce is addressing structural operational strategies across its various units to tackle security challenges facing the country.  

He stated during a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Agodi Secretariat as part of his operational visit to Ibadan.

Air Marshal Abubakar explained that Airforce was looking at security gaps in the South West noting that he had visited the air force base in Ibadan to identify gaps in its organizational structures and boost its operational capacity to empower the nation’s air power.

Air Marshal Abubakar lauded Oyo state government’s efforts to expand the Ibadan airport and expressed the air force’s readiness to partner with the state government noting that the airport expansion would afford its C130 aircraft operational base in Ibadan.

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde (left); presenting Artwork Frame to Chief of Air  Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar; while Air Officer Commanding Logistics, Air Vice Marshal Shittu Alao and Hon Abass Agboworin look-on during the Chief of Air Staff visit to Governor’s Office Secretariat, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Responding, Governor Seyi Makinde while commending Airforce in tackling security problem facing the nation said his administration would support it in realising its objectives of a secured Nigeria.

Governor Makinde however pledged to support the air force comprehensive school in Ibadan in addressing some of its social infrastructures particularly electricity problem.

The governor noted that the Ibadan airport expansion project was still on course pointing out that government has awarded contract to fix roads around the airport environs.

Iyabo Adebisi