General News
512 Muslim Pilgrims Escape Death as Air Tragedy is Averted

A major air disaster was averted yesterday in Sokoto as a Boeing 747 belonging to Kabo Air Limited lost two of its tyres while landing at the Sir Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto.
This is coming just as the country still continues to mourn the crash of an Embraer 120 plane which crashed on Thursday with the remains of Dr Olusegun Agagu , late Ondo State Governor, which killed 13 of the 20 people on board,
The plane, which was carrying 512 Muslim pilgrims to Saudi but billed to stop in Sokoto to pick up Aliyu Wamakko, state governor, his wife and some other passengers, was said to have suffered burst tyres before ramming into the Instrument Landing System (ILS), a navigational equipment installed at the airport
In a statement issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), it stated that that the Boeing 747-3 aircraft with Reg 5N-JRM belonging to Kabo Air operated by Kabo airlines arrived safely with all passengers and crew on board, following a landing incident at the Sokoto airport at 2100 GMT.
“The aircraft which departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano was en route Saudi Arabia when it had a stop-over at the Sokoto airport for passenger pickup.
Preliminary reports indicate that the control tower gave the pilot clearance to land on Runway 08 but the captain, opted to use Runway 26, for reasons yet to be ascertained.
“”The 512 souls on board, made of 494 passengers and 18 crew members landed safely.
The aircraft however damaged some Instruments Landing System (ILS) and came to a stop with deflated tyres.
“The FAAN emergency response apparatus acted swiftly to secure all souls on board and the aircraft.
The airline has since made arrangements for another aircraft to pick the passengers to complete their journey to Saudi Arabia.”
Alhaji Aminu Hamza, the airline’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), refuted reports that the aircraft had an emergency landing, saying it only lost two of its tyres in the process of landing.
He said there was no diversion as the aircraft was to pick additional 54 International passengers in Sokoto before the incident.
A statement by the management of the airline said in Kano that the aircraft in an attempt to land lost two of its rear tyres, but the pilot was able to control it to a safe parking.
Addressing reporters in Kano, the airline’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Aminu Hamza said that the chattered Boeing 747 jumbo jet, with 494 international passengers on-board took off from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday night en-route Sokoto to Saudi Arabia.
He, however, refuted reports that the aircraft had an emergency landing. He insisted that there was no diversion as the aircraft was to pick additional 54 International passengers in Sokoto before the incident.
The Governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari and his wife, Zainab, were to board the aircraft with 48 other intending pilgrims from the state.
But the governor and his wife returned to Birnin Kebbi after the incident. The Special Assistant to Dakingari on Media, Ibrahim Argungu, confirmed the report to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, “The governor and his wife, Zainab, had since returned to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.’’
However, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it is awaiting the Mandatory Occurrence Report from Kabo Air over the incidence.
According to the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Fan Nduuoke, the aircraft with Registration Number 5N-JRM, operated by Kabo Airlines arrived safely with all passengers and crew on board, following a landing incident at the Sokoto airport.
Kabo Air Director of Flight Operations, Captain Joseph Machinu confirmed that the aircraft just returned from Indonesia, where it underwent maintenance and air worthiness checks.
Captain Machinu, explained that all the passengers on board during the incident are safe, as no injury was recorded. He added that another aircraft has since been drafted to Sokoto to airlift the passengers to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.
The NCAA spokesperson, said the aircraft which departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano was en route Saudi Arabia when it had a stop-over at the Sokoto airport for passenger pickup.
Corroborating the account of the NCAA, the spokesman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati said:”On October 4, 2013, a Boeing 747-3 aircraft with Reg 5N-JRM, operated by Kabo Airlines arrived safely with all passengers and crew on board, following a landing incident at the Sokoto airport at 2100 GMT.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the control tower gave the pilot clearance to land on Runway 08 but the captain, opted to use Runway 26, for reasons yet to be ascertained. The 512 souls on board, made of 494 passengers and 18 crew members landed safely.
“The aircraft however damaged some Instruments Landing System (ILS) and came to a stop with deflated tyres. The FAAN emergency response apparatus acted swiftly to secure all souls on board and the aircraft. The airline has since made arrangements for another aircraft to pick the passengers to complete their journey to Saudi Arabia.”
One of the passengers, Aliyu Abdullahi, a trader at Kwari Market in Kano, told NAN at Giginya Hotel yesterday that it was a terrifying experience.
“We heard an unusual sound as the plane landed at the Sokoto Airport.’’
Another passenger, Tijjani Jega, said he was shocked and that passengers prayed fervently. “We thank God that a major tragedy was averted.’’
The Acting Manager of the Sokoto Airport, Mr Madu Bukar, while thanking God, said the incident was common in the aviation industry, but that it would be investigated.
He, however, expressed happiness that nobody was injured in the incident.
General News
Afe Babalola University Partners with New Horizons to Integrate 4IR Skills into Academic Curriculum

The institution has been lauded for its rapid ascent in academic rankings and its dedication to producing socially relevant graduates since its establishments in 2009 by legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola. It has consistently demonstrated excellence in education and research, and has been recognized as Nigeria’s best university for three consecutive years.

Deputy Director, ICT, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti, Muyiwa Oladimeji (left); Vice Chancellor,
Prof. Smaranda Olarinde; Managing Director, New Horizons Nigeria, Tim Akano and the University Bursar,
Pastor Dupe Babatola, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between New Horizons and the varsity for the integration of 4IR skill sets into ABUAD’s academic curriculum in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Afe Babalola University has entered into a strategic partnership with New Horizons Nigeria to integrate Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skill sets into its academic curriculum. This collaboration aims to empower ABUAD students with globally relevant competencies in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, 3D Technology, and the Metaverse, Web 3.0, Full Stack, Cyber Security among others. By embedding these cutting-edge technologies into its programs, ABUAD reinforces its commitment to producing graduates who are not only job-ready but also poised to be innovators and wealth creators in the global tech ecosystem.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, and Mr. Tim Akano, CEO of New Horizons Nigeria. The University Bursar Pastor Dupe Babatola, and Mr. Muyiwa Oladimeji, the Deputy Director of ICT were also present at this meeting.
According to Prof. Olarinde, she stated that the partnership aligns with ABUAD’s vision of fostering innovation and excellence and by integrating 4IR skills into the academic curriculum, students are being prepared to meet the demands of the modern workforce and to drive technological advancement.
Also, Mr. Akano asserted that “New Horizons is proud to collaborate with ABUAD, an institution that shares its commitment to technological empowerment. Together, we will provide students with the tools and certifications necessary to excel in today’s digital world. It could be recalled that in the first three global industrial revolutions, Africa was not present at the parties of Agric revolution of the 17th century, Industrial revolution of the 18th century, and Information Communication revolution of the 20th century, Africa got late to the party. This explains the large-scale hunger, poverty, and diseases that Africa is battling with today. We are in a new era, the age of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). AGI will determine the trajectory of every profession, going forward. Regardless of whatever course or profession one chooses, there is a component of AGI in it that will decide who is a modern lawyer or obsolete lawyer, who is a modern Doctor or Obsolete Doctor, who is a modern Engineer or obsolete engineer, and who is a modern art student or obsolete art student. Any university today that produce graduates without relevant 4IR skills and certifications attached during their undergrad years is producing obsolete graduates. The four major global challenges confronting humanity are not permanent problems but rather TECHNICAL/Technological problems. A case in point was smallpox, which had killed over 400 million people worldwide. However, when Edward Jenner invented a vaccine, using technology, smallpox got killed itself. Therefore, all the key problems in the world today: hunger, poverty, disease, Climate Crisis, Youth Unemployment are all technological problems that need technological solutions. This is why ABUAD’s partnership with New Horizons is necessary, critical and urgent with a view to ensuring that going forward, the ABUAD graduates have what it takes to compete with the Chinese, Americans and Japanese when it comes to 4.0IR innovations”.
This strategic partnership with New Horizons Nigeria signifies a pivotal step in ABUAD’s mission to remain at the forefront of educational innovation, and to ensure that its students are well-equipped to navigate and lead in the evolving technological landscape.
New Horizons Nigeria is Africa’s largest ICT training organization with over 200 training centres in various universities, high schools, and retail locations across Nigeria, empowering over 100,000 students yearly. New Horizons Nigeria is a franchise of New Horizons International, the world’s largest ICT training institute with Head Office in California and offices in 90 countries worldwide. The institution pioneered the integration of International ICT certification into the Nigeria academic curricular twenty years ago and some of the students that passed through New Horizons training in their respective universities are managing global corporations today in Silicon valley and working with global IT giants like Microsoft, MasterCard, Oracle, Google and Amazon among others.
General News
UBA Marks 75 Years of Excellence at 65th AGM

United Bank for Africa (UBA) celebrated its 75th anniversary during its 65th Annual General Meeting, highlighting decades of resilience, innovation, and commitment to service.
Mr. Tony Elumelu, Group Chairman, reflected on the bank’s journey, emphasizing its ability to adapt and transform over three-quarters of a century.
He announced UBA’s impressive financial performance for 2024, including a gross revenue of ₦3.2 trillion and profit after tax of ₦767 billion.
The bank’s total deposits grew by 42% to ₦24.6 trillion, while its loan book expanded by 35% to ₦7.5 trillion.
Mr. Elumelu also addressed UBA’s efforts to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive to increase the minimum capital requirement for international commercial banks.
Following a successful rights issue, UBA’s capital now stands at ₦355.2 billion, with plans to raise the remaining ₦144.8 billion later this year.
GMD/CEO, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, reiterated UBA’s commitment to enhancing customer experience through digital banking.
He highlighted the bank’s focus on leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technology to serve its 45 million customers across 24 countries more effectively.
UBA’s dedication to environmental stewardship and social progress was evident in its 2024 initiatives, including planting 4,550 seedlings to offset carbon emissions and distributing over 13,000 books through the Read Africa Initiative.
The bank’s efforts were recognized with multiple awards, including “Bank of the Year” in five African countries.
As UBA continues its journey, Mr. Elumelu and Mr. Alawuba expressed gratitude to shareholders, customers, staff, and regulators for their unwavering support.
The bank remains committed to innovation, financial inclusion, and driving economic growth across Africa and the globe.
General News
FBI Sends Team to Nigeria to Track Down ‘Sextortion’ Scammers

Sextortion scams have become so widespread that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is sending agents to Nigeria to help track down the perpetrators.
The agency’s “Operation Artemis” has led to the arrest of 22 Nigerians, half of whom are “directly linked” to sextortion incidents in which victims died by suicide.
Sextortion scams often begin on social media, where perpetrators pose as attractive young women to lure victims—typically unsuspecting teenage boys—into sending nude photos or explicit videos.
Once the images are obtained, the scammers turn to blackmail, threatening to leak the content unless the victim pays up.
In some cases, the sextortion results in teenage victims taking their own lives over fear of the nudes leaking.
In Thursday’s announcement, the FBI noted it’s been “observing a significant increase over the last three years in financially motivated sextortion schemes targeting young males ages 14-17, resulting in more than 20 minor victims dying by suicide.”
The agency is also facing a 30% year-over-year increase in sextortion-related tips.
“According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or IC3, there were over 54,000 [extortion-related] victims in 2024, up from 34,000 in 2023,” it said.
“Over the last two years there have been nearly $65 million dollars in financial losses due to this crime.”
In response, the FBI says 55 agency field offices came together to identify “nearly 3,000 victims of financially motivated sextortion,” which led investigators to track down the culprits in Nigeria.
The US has since extradited at least three suspects from Nigeria.
“These subjects will now be held accountable in the American justice system, with more subjects still awaiting extraditions in Nigeria,” the FBI added.
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