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Air passenger traffic crashes —NBS

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  • It’s Tight race as UK heads for poll

The total number of passengers who passed through Nigerian airports in the first quarter of 2017 (Q1 2017) was 2,505,612, representing 31.3 percent drop when compared to the previous quarter and 34.5 percent decline compared to the same quarter of 2016.

This was revealed in the Air Transportation Data Q1 2017 released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday. The report noted that both passenger numbers and aircraft movement declined, attributing it, partly, to the Abuja Airport closure, adding, however, that other factors were also relevant to the decline.

Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos remained the busiest domestic airport in the first quarter of 2017, accounting for 698,165 domestic passengers, or 41.4 percent of the total.

This was followed by Abuja Airport which accounted for 499,149 passengers, or 29.6 percent of the total, while Port Harcourt was the third busiest, accounting for 189,843, or 11.3 percent of the total.

The report, however, noted that the amount of mail moved through the airports recorded a dramatic increase, almost ten times higher relative to the first quarter of 2016, compensating the sector for the decline in passenger numbers, and led to slight growth of the air transport sector in real terms by 1.5 percent.

“In the first quarter of 2017, the total number of passengers to pass through Nigerian airports was 2,505,612. Of these, 67.3 percent were domestic passengers, travelling within Nigeria, and the rest were international, entering or leaving Nigeria. This represents a considerable drop both compared to the previous quarter (of 31.3 percent) and compared to the same quarter of the previous year (of 34.5 percent, based on revised 2016 Q1 figures), the report said.

In the meantime, Labour is closing the gap with Tories and now stands just three points from Theresa May’s party, a new YouGov poll shows.

The poll, commissioned by The Times, found the Conservative lead had slipped dramatically in recent weeks and is now within the margin of error.

The figures show the Conservatives on 42 points with Labour close behind on 39.

The poll points to a remarkable change in fortunes for the Tories, which had a 24-point lead over Labour when the snap general election was called in April.

Ms May has struggled in recent weeks after she was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to reform social care in the party’s manifesto.

The party said elderly people who needed care will be able to put off paying for it until after their deaths so they could potentially stay in their own home for as long as possible.

But critics said this would unfairly penalise people who suffer a slow decline from illnesses like dementia, over people who die suddenly and can then leave their estate to their children.

Ms May has faced criticism for refusing to to engage with voters, especially after she declined to take part in televised debates.

During the debate, Green party leader Caroline Lucas said: “You don’t call a general election and say it is the most important election in her lifetime and then not even be bothered to debate the issues at hand.”

She added: “I think the first rule of leadership is to show up.”

The YouGov poll also shows Ms May’s personal appeal over Jeremy Corbyn is slipping.

Vanguard with additional report from Nation

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#EndBadGovernance: Court Admits 10 Protesters to N10m Bail Each 

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#EndBadGovernance: Court Admits 10 Protesters to N10m Bail Each 

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters charged with treason to a N10 million bail each with one surety each like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on their bail applications, agreed with the submissions of the counsel for the defendants.

Justice Nwite ordered that each of the defendants’ sureties must own a landed property in Abuja and submit the property documents to the court’s registrar.

The press reported that the Federal Government had, on Sept. 2, arraigned the protesters on counts bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The Federal Government, through the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, filed the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024 on Aug. 30 against the defendants.

10 of the 124 persons arraigned included Michael Adaramoye also known as Lenin; Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khakis and Abdusalam Zubairu.

It was also reported that some youths staged a nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country between Aug. 1 and Aug. 10.

The demonstration turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

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Gov. Makinde Begins Annual Leave Aug. 5; APC Begs Nigerians To Shun Protest

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Gov. Makinde Begins Annual Leave Aug. 5; APC Begs Nigerians To Shun Protest

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has written to the State House of Assembly to inform it of his intention to embark on his annual leave.

The governor’s letter was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, during Thursday’s valedictory plenary held in honour of Mrs Yetunde Awe, the House Clerk.

The governor also indicated in his message his desire to transfer executive powers to his Deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal.

Lawal is to serve in an acting capacity in Makinde’s absence, and Makinde’s leave will begin on Aug. 5 and end on Sept. 6.

“Based on Section 190 sub-section 1, I hereby transmit that during the period indicated above, Deputy Governor Lawal shall be the acting Governor.

“I shall be back from the vacation on Sept. 7,” Makinde said in the letter.

Similarly, the House also swore in Mrs. Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, who was formerly the Deputy Clerk, as the Substantive Clerk of the House to replace Awe who is retiring from the state civil service. Her swearing-in followed her recommendation by the House of Assembly Commission.

In another development, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun,  Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun the planned nationwide protest.

Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to continue to keep faith in President Bola Tinubu-led administration in its ability to revamp the economy.

The APC chieftain, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), appealed while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo.

He urged Nigerians to see a promising future in the government’s framework capable of pulling the country out of the current economic quagmire inherited from the past administrations.

He said that Nigerians’ expectation to get dividends of democracy was high owing to their trust in the president’s pedigree as an astute manager of men and resources.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the government was working tirelessly to meet the expectations and yearning of Nigerians.

He said that the intention of the president by removing the fuel subsidy and merging the foreign exchange rates, among other policies was to improve the economy and not to inflict pain on Nigerians.

The APC chieftain said that Nigerians should give more time for the president to fully develop the economy, which is going through the recovery process.

“With all sense of humility and modesty, we must appreciate the people of this country for their endurance, perseverance and unflinching support as we are passing through the dark tunnel.

“But one certain thing is that after these temporary pains, we shall all live in abundance.

“Although the task is herculean, but we are gradually navigating through the storm and challenges the country is passing through.

“In the real sense of it, this present government is working tirelessly on how to stabilise the economy, foreign exchange rates, inflation, and price control.

“With the initiatives and programme designed for good governance by the president, we are getting to the coast of self-sufficiency and economic stability.

“Our people should believe in the leadership of the president and the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, in due course, we shall laugh last.

“I strongly believe that with a little patience from Nigerians, we shall soon live in abundance. Let’s exercise a little patience, he said.

Oyintiloye, who noted that the president felt the pains Nigerians were passing through, said that was why he pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with him. 

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NNPP: Founder, Dr Aniebonam Goes Stoic on Kwankwaso and Galadima’s Defection

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NNPP: Founder, Dr Aniebonam Goes Stoic on Kwankwaso and Galadima's Defection

…Urges Members to Remain Calm and Trust in God’s Intervention

The founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Aniebonam Boniface Okechukwu, has finally adopted stoicism on the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, two prominent members of the party. 

In a lengthy statement, Dr Okechukwu expressed his disappointment and sadness over the betrayal of trust by his “friends and brothers” but urged members of the party to remain calm and trust in God’s intervention.

According to Dr. Okechukwu, the defection of Kwankwaso and Galadima is a temporary setback and a human activity that will not change the name and fate of the party. 

He described the duo as ‘men’ who were deceived by fake marabouts but hoped that they would soon realize their mistakes and return to the party.

Dr Okechukwu also called on members of the party to be patient and work hard, assuring them that God would soon intervene and restore the party to its rightful owners.

 He referenced the party’s past victory at the Supreme Court in Kano as a testament to God’s power and intervention.

The full statement by Dr. Okechukwu reads:

“My attention has been continuously drawn to the avoidable propaganda and circumstances of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima. 

“These elder statesmen are my good friends and brothers with bad intentions. It is human, noting that no human being can be predicted. I do know that the first law of God is choice. They chose the channel of betrayal of trust.

“None of you should be worried because the New Nigeria People’s Party belongs to God, and we shall continue to work hard and serve Him. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima are not above God, and He shall intervene at the appropriate time.

“All you people should do is work hard and pray for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima for the wisdom of God and protection because they do not really know what they are doing as mortals.

“What is certain, as you people can see, is that they cannot change the name – New Nigeria People’s Party. This simply means that nothing has happened. The illegal conversion of the colour, logo, and constitution are human activities which, of course, are temporary.

“What I will advise all of you is to bear with INEC in their shortcomings, which are human and the work of the devil. What is certain is that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima may be agents of the devil, betrayal of trust and kindness. When God decides to call them to order, we shall all be witnesses to the heavenly divine intervention and glory.

“God did it for us in Kano at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He shall do it again to show that He is God. You should all remain peaceful and work hard. Let us be patient with God because He shall soon intervene, and His party shall be returned to His children.

“When that happens, the logo, colour, and constitution shall be reversed in His honour and glory. No one should be worried because He with God is with the majority.

“We do know from the physical appearance of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima at the moment that they are burdened, and we are aware that the fake marabouts are deceiving them. Let us pray for them for life and good health, politics or no politics. What is certain is that we are brothers.

“Remark – Supreme Court of Nigeria is the final judgment, and God’s decision prevails at God’s time before or thereafter. Let us remain calm in the event of extreme provocation. Our party shall come back to us, and that is the word of God”, Dr. Aniebonam Boniface stated further.

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