…South African officers, Nigerians welcome inaugural business operation
By Lawani Mikairu
The inaugural direct flight by Air Peace airline from Lagos to Johannesburg, South Africa Thursday would deepen the bi- lateral and financial relationships between Nigeria and South Africa.
That is simply because it has additionally been described as a dream come true by Nigeria Consul Basic in South Africa.
The Chief Working Officer of Air Peace additionally described the flight as a realisation of a want that began instantly the airline evacuated some Nigerians from South Africa through the xenophobic assault on them by native South Africans.
The large bodied , double- aisle Boeing 777 plane on flight 47563 , departed from the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport, Lagos Nigeria by 1.30 am on Thursday morning with passengers, Lagos Airport senior officers together with the Regional Supervisor , South West, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs Victoria Shina-aba, and chosen aviation correspondents.
The flight arrived the Oliver Tambo Worldwide Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa about 5 and half hour hours later and was welcomed to a cannon of water salute by the South Africa airport authority officers and jubilant Nigerians on the Oliver Tambo Airport.
The chairman of Air Peace , Barrister Allen Onyema whereas fielding questions from the media aboard the flight into South Africa mentioned the inaugural flight” has opened up new prospects for intra-continental companies, commerce , in addition to create enhance bi-lateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa “.
He additionally expressed pleasure on the connection of the 2 economies stating that it will cut back the journey time between each international locations and encourage fluid relationships.
Onyema mentioned : ”I really feel nice for Nigerians. I really feel glad as a result of Air Peace is attempting to afford the flying public direct flight to Johannesburg and again to Nigeria as an alternative of going around the world, going spherical Africa earlier than flying to South Africa. Now in lower than six hours we might be there. So it’s one thing that we stay up for doing at higher heights”.
“We promised Nigerians six years in the past once we began Air Peace that we weren’t solely going to attach cities in Nigeria and communities , but additionally join our nation with different nations of the world. Regularly we’re getting there”.”
“ We don’t need to ‘child’ ourselves that we’re the one ones on the route now, another individuals additionally will need to come there so for us to maintain the tempo of no matter we’re doing, we now have to be pragmatic, we now have to be strategic too in our planning and like I mentioned, we now have been following our marketing strategy since 2014 meticulously”.
“ The truth that Air Peace goes into South Africa will increase financial relations, progress between each international locations and it’s going to enhance our bi-lateral relations, it’s one thing good and now not one sided, “ he added.
Talking throughout a dinner to have fun the profitable launch of the direct flight, the Nigeria Consul Basic in South Africa, Mr Malik Ahmed Abdul mentioned the approaching of Air Peace Airline to South Africa was a dream come true.
Based on Abdul, who was represented on the event by Mr Ezenwa Nwaobiala, Minister within the Nigeria Consulate, Nigerians in South Africa have persistently requested the consulate to do every little thing in its energy to deliver Air Peace to South Africa.
He mentioned the decision heightened after the evacuation flight to South Africa by Air Peace final yr. He additional revealed that he had at all times assured them that Air Peace would finally start business flights to South Africa.
So, in accordance with him, “ Air Peace coming to South Africa is an extended dream come true. The airline demonstrated that it’s the greatest for now in Nigeria and sub West Africa area”.
“ We’re very happy with it and we are going to do every little thing to help its operations in South Africa. We’re glad that it’s going to cut back our journey time. We are going to now not go spherical Africa and the world to maneuver from South Africa to Nigeria”, he added.
Talking additionally on the occasion, the Chief Working Officer of Air Peace, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide mentioned the airline is glad to satisfy a part of it mantra that “ no metropolis or nation might be left behind “ in its routes enlargement.
Mrs Olajide mentioned : “ To me and, certainly, the complete Administration of the airline, that is extra than simply the graduation of scheduled flights into Johannesburg. It’s extra. It’s a solidification of the financial and business ties between the 2 large African international locations”.
“ It’s the exemplification and a mirrored image of a mutually useful relationship. It’s an implementation of our Bilateral Air Service Settlement in furtherance of the progress of Nigeria and South Africa and the promotion of unity between residents of each nations”.
“ I recall how we flew into this nation on September 11, 2019 and evacuated 503 Nigerians in two separate flights. Regardless that the circumstances have been considerably inauspicious, that specific incident heightened the airline’s want to kick off scheduled flights into the nation, and immediately marks the accomplishment of that ambition”. “Additionally, on June 26, 2020, through the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, we flew into South Africa to evacuate 167 Nigerians. So, you possibly can say we’re acquainted with the South African terrain”.
The Northern Elders Discussion board (NEF), on Monday, in Abuja mentioned solely a collective nationwide method would mitigate the issues cattle herding poses to the financial system, the farmers, the herders themselves and their host communities.
That is even because the Northern elders urged President Muhammadu Buhari to instantly meet with the 36 State Governors and the Service Chiefs with a view to analyzing how the present tensions in elements of the nation, particularly the Southwest will be de-escalated.
The Discussion board, which spoke forward of a gathering between the Governors within the Southwest and Fulani organizations tomorrow (Tuesday), maintained that each nationwide, and regional methods can be required to deal with the herdsmen menace.
This was contained in a press release by NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in Abuja.
He mentioned, “Northern Elders Discussion board has intently adopted developments involving Fulani communities, host communities and governments in Oyo and Ondo States in addition to reactions throughout your complete nation.
“The Discussion board is deeply involved that the nation is threatened by irresponsible actions and feedback by folks with the accountability to train warning and supply constructive management.
“We consider it’s time for the federal authorities to acknowledge and take care of the difficulty of cattle herding as a nationwide problem, and undertake insurance policies that may mitigate the issues it poses to the financial system, farmers, herders and all communities.
“Most significantly, the Discussion board advises President Muhammadu Buhari to satisfy instantly with all State Governors and heads of safety and legislation and order businesses to look at how the present tensions within the nation will be de-escalated.
“Occasions within the Southwest are assuming nationwide dimensions, and solely a nationwide method will present brief and long run options.”
The Discussion board famous that the duty earlier than the Governors remained daunting, including that extra wanted to be completed to cut back the stress posed by cattle herding within the communities.
NEF mentioned, “The Discussion board is conscious of the restrictions of all State Governors by way of their capacities to adequately reply to the safety wants of populations.
“The resort to regional outfits like Amotekun and different self-appointed guardians of safety of communities aren’t options to those limitations.
“In the previous couple of days, the nation has seen the issues with these outfits and actions of the locals who masquerade as defenders of ethnic pursuits.
“In any respect price, Nigerians who break the legislation shouldn’t have any cowl or immunity, whether or not they’re Fulani or native enforcers or organizations
“The Discussion board, nevertheless, appeals to all Nigerians to train nice restraint of their feedback and actions in these making an attempt occasions. It additionally appeals to leaders in any respect ranges to contribute to the seek for options to growing threats which can make all our lives worse.”
On the proposed assembly between the Southwest Governors and the herdsmen organizations within the area, the Northern elders expressed hope that it might obtain the target of guaranteeing the safety of Fulani communities dwelling lawfully within the Southwest in addition to the protection of different residents.
“The Discussion board notes that Governors within the South West are to satisfy with Fulani organizations tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26th, a day after the expiration of the give up order issued by Governor of Ondo State to Fulani herders to go away a forest reserve.
“The assembly will happen within the context of rising worry amongst Fulani communities from threats and their experiences in the previous couple of days. Individuals who’re identified to threaten Fulani communities and have attacked them are nonetheless free.
“The Discussion board hopes that the assembly will obtain the target of assuring Fulani communities dwelling lawfully within the South West that they are going to be protected, and guarantee all different residents within the South West States that they may proceed to obtain the safety of the State from kidnappings and different crimes,” the assertion added
ABUJA- Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has once more known as for the fast restructuring of the Nigerian state to forestall the potential of residing with what he known as the “numerous failed state prophecies.”
Atiku acknowledged this in a standing replace on his social media handles on Monday, arguing that “the present ethnic and non secular clashes bedeviling Nigeria are signs of the illness. They themselves usually are not the sickness. We should deal with the foundation causes of the varied signs of insecurity Nigeria now faces.”
Whereas noting that the nation wants peace, unity and prosperity, the Peoples Democratic Get together, PDP, Presidential candidate within the 2019 election added that “all three of those virtues are depending on Nigeria having social justice. With out justice, there can’t be cohesiveness in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation as Nigeria.”
He wrote: “Nigeria must restructure to keep away from the varied failed state prophecies, first superior by an American think-tank towards Nigeria in 2006 and most lately regurgitated by the Monetary Occasions of London, a couple of month in the past. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. We must always have carried out this way back. I can solely level to the Chinese language proverb that claims ‘The very best time to plant a tree was 20 years in the past. The second finest time is now.’
“It’s time to really feel our nation’s pulse and steer the ship of state away from a failed state vacation spot. Restructuring is the lighthouse that may information the Nigerian state’s ship again to the security of land. And it’s not only for the large line objects. Even within the little issues, we should restructure, for the great of our folks.
“What’s a failed state? A failed state is a political sovereign geographic territory whose authorities has deteriorated to a stage the place it can not fulfil a sovereign authorities’s fundamental obligations, such because the safety of life and property, and upholding legislation and order.
“Nigeria is just not a failed state. Nevertheless, we’re liable to changing into a failed state, if we don’t resolve our foundational challenges that make it reasonably tough for the central authorities to discharge her obligations successfully.
“Nigeria has foundational points, which we’ve to resolve. Till we resolve these points, our nation might not fulfil its potentials of being the beacon of sunshine for the Black Race, even when we’ve probably the most righteous folks on the helm. It has been mentioned by many behavioural scientists that ‘the definition of madness is doing the identical factor time and again, however anticipating totally different outcomes.’ We have now been working from the identical unitary basis, and have given it a number of names since January 15, 1966. Apart from slight identify modifications, the mould has remained the identical and the yield has modified little.
“Sure, there will likely be enhancements and retrogressions right here and there, because of the character and character variations of the women and men on the helm. Nevertheless, till the foundational fault traces are addressed, no matter progress one man makes, may be undone by his predecessor, usually in a matter of months.”
He continued: “If half of our folks expend their energies pulling Nigeria in a single path, and the opposite half counter by pulling her within the different path, our motherland won’t ever know peace, unity and prosperity.
“We ought to grasp that the collapse of Nigeria right into a unitary system was an advert hoc momentary answer to a problem that emerged after the January 15, 1966 coup decapitated the central and most regional governments. It was not meant to be a long run answer.
“Classes have been learnt since that point, and no person can be foolhardy sufficient to repeat such unlucky actions that took Nigeria via such tough durations.
Atiku famous that Nigeria has come of age saying it’s time to belief the part models of this federation “with devolution of powers from the central authorities to deal with points similar to policing, in tandem with the federal authorities.”
He quoted Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) as saying ‘have you learnt what is healthier than charity and fasting and prayer? It’s holding peace and good relations between folks.’
“Take a sector, like agriculture. In the present day, Nigeria depends on meals imports for a lot of her meals wants, primarily and even solely as a result of agriculture is managed from Abuja. And that concept is preposterous. The states are higher outfitted, by purpose of proximity, to deal with agriculture. But, what number of states have a ministry and an agriculture commissioner?
“And now, the disconnect between Abuja and the states results in a scenario the place probably the most fertile and steady nations on Earth has to import meals. In pre-colonial instances, and in the course of the First Republic, Nigeria had nicely marked out grazing routes. That ensured that grazers knew the place to go and restricted contacts between them and farmers. Now, these routes have disappeared. After all, when this occurs, there will likely be battle. Brazil and Argentina are the most important beef exporters on this planet, they usually have grazing routes.
“Actually, in Brazil, pasture land outweighs planted cropland by about 5 instances. It is because all tiers of governments in Brazil have labored collectively to limit these areas, not solely to keep away from battle between grazers and farmers, but additionally to make sure that Brazil’s nice forests, together with the Amazon, usually are not deforested.
“If Brazil and Argentina can do it, we will do it too. We have now to place within the political and mental effort. We can not have the mentality that it’s higher to reign in hell than serve in Heaven. Nobody can reign in hell. The warmth is simply too nice. The victories are too little. It’s a lose-lose scenario. We’re all the higher if we provide you with a win-win scenario. And the one method all of us win is that if we restructure, whereas we nonetheless have a basis to face on.
“We should at all times keep in mind that we’re all brothers and sisters born from the womb of 1 mom Nigeria and that when brothers struggle to the loss of life, it’s their neighbours that inherit their father’s property.
“We should cease combating each other as Nigerians, and we should begin combating for Nigeria. Come up o compatriots, Nigeria’s name obey. Nigeria is asking for restructuring. And I urge all Nigerians to obey our mom’s voice,” he added.
US President Joe Biden on Monday overturned Donald Trump’s ban on transgender personnel serving within the army, saying “all People” certified to serve ought to give you the option to take action.
Biden’s new coverage was set in an govt order signed on the White Home.
“Merely put, transgender service members will now not be topic to the opportunity of discharge or separation on the premise of gender id,” the White Home mentioned in a press release.
The army “thrives when it’s composed of various People who can meet the rigorous requirements for army service, and an inclusive army strengthens our nationwide safety.”
The transfer undoes Trump’s controversial determination in July 2017 to bar transgender personnel from serving “in any capability” within the army.
As commander-in-chief, the US president has monumental latitude to set Pentagon insurance policies.
Trump selected to nix a plan carried out by former President Barack Obama for the army to begin accepting transgender recruits.
Trump had claimed the Obama-era coverage was disruptive, costly and mentioned it eroded army readiness and camaraderie amongst troops.
However in Biden’s order undoing Trump’s ban, the White Home cited a 2016 examine that discovered “enabling transgender people to serve brazenly in the USA army would have solely a minimal influence on army readiness and well being care value.”
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US President Joe Biden on Monday overturned Donald Trump’s ban on transgender personnel serving within the army, saying “all People” certified to serve ought to give you the option to take action.
