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NCAA extends licence validity, stops fresh approvals

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Some American nationals just before their evacuation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos recently.

•Operators seek digital procedureIn Lieu of the general disruption in aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted pilots, engineers, crew and other staff a three-month extension for the renewal of licences currently held.

Similarly, the apex regulatory body said no new application or on-going applications shall be processed during this period for AOC certificates, Approved Maintenance Organisations (AMOs), aircraft type certificate acceptance, aircraft registration and related, modifications and repairs, airworthiness certificates, and maintenance clearance certificates among others.

The development was contained in a letter to aviation industry stakeholders titled: “COVID-19 outbreak: Industry communication from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)”, signed by the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.

The agency advised all existing operators and owners intending to renew their approval certificates and C of A/MCC during this period must submit applications and proof of payment electronically to the relevant officials.

The letter further stated that no applications for extensions of maintenance intervals shall be considered during this period except for essential and emergency flights approved by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

In line with the development, inspections, checks, and audits paid for by clients are suspended until further notice.For validity of personnel licences, NCAA stated in the letter that no new aviation personnel licences will be processed or issued during the luck down period.

“All personnel whose licences are due to expire after April 1st can exercise the privileges of their licences for an extended period of up to 30th June 2020. This applies to pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance engineer, flight dispatcher, aeronautical station operator, air traffic safety electronics personnel and designated examiners. Medical certificates will be extended for a period of up to 30th June 2020,” the letter read in part.

In reaction, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the NCAA, describing the move as a “kind consideration”.

The Federal Government lately restricted all local and international flights as part of efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease spread – a move that has put the airlines in financial distress. Only essential flights, which include cargo services, emergency landing and evacuation among others, were allowed though subject to approval of the Minister of Aviation.

Chairman of the AON, Capt. Nogie Meggison, appealed to the NCAA boss to give priorities to the backlogs and also simplify by digitalising the processes for approval to modern day technology.

Meggison said: “With regards to the suspension in processing of new certificates and licences, we understand the need for the authority to scale down its manpower in line with the skeletal operations of other CAA worldwide as verification and coordination have proven difficult due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to maintain social distance.

“On return to full operations, we kindly appeal that you give priorities to the backlogs and also simplify by digitalising the processes for approval to modern day technology. We acknowledge the proactive changes you are bringing into the CAA and we hope this will be sustained during your tenure.”

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Senator Ifeanyi Ubah dies at 52

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The Senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Ubah, is dead.

Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, was said to have died in a hotel in London, the United Kingdom, on Saturday.

He would have been 53 on September 3.

Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed Ubah’s death to our correspondent on Saturday.

He said, “It’s confirmed, but I am sending an official statement soon.”

Ubah, who was re-elected into the 10th Senate under the Young Peoples Party, had last year defected to the All Progressive Congress.

In September 2022, Ubah escaped assassination when he was attacked by gunmen on his way to Nnewi in Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State.

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JUST IN: Edo state Assembly impeaches Deputy Governor Shaibu

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The Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the state’s Deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.

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JUST IN: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun joins ancestors at 81

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors after a brief illness.

He joined his ancestors at the age of 81.

It was gathered that the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.

Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun in a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.

According to the statement, Dr. Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said that the State Governor Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.

The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained P.hd holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, former Senator and a successful business man.

His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobed Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken.

He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.

The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

Announcing the passage of the monarch, Governor Makinde, in a statement, stated that Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, described him as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.

He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.

Makinde said: “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors.

“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.

“On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland.

“It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”

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