General News
Arumemi-Ikhide, Arik Air Chairman Seeks Aviation Industry Overhaul
Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, chairman, Arik Air has called on the Federal Government to overhaul the aviation industry by swiftly address the wrath currently being witnessed due to systemic corruption.
He made the call during a press briefing to mark the airline’s 7th anniversary, adding that the Federal Government should especially beam it’s searchlight on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over corruption and systemic deficiency.
Arumemi-Ikhide alleged as unimaginable that in Nigeria lately, AOCs were being issued to “airlines” through phone calls by NCAA without physical examination and documentation of applicants.
As for the FAAN, the Arik Air boss, as reported by Nigeriancommercial Aviationnews, said that the Authority was fond of heaping frivolous and unverifiable bills on its customers which had often led to fractions, adding that issues like this had earlier been reported to the Senate.
Apart from this, Arik Air chairman said it was only in Nigeria that an Airport Authority funded by tax payers money would brazenly discriminate against Nigerian registered airlines in favour of foreign airlines in the allocation of check-in counters and aircraft parking slots.
Specifically, he said if checks were carried out at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, one would discover that foreign airlines were allocated much more check- in counters than those allocated to Nigerian registered airlines thereby making passengers facilitation of Nigerian carriers difficult and choking.
Sir Arumemi-Ikhide noted that if Nigerian aviation was to thrive, priority must be given to Nigerian registered airlines in all ramifications so as to regain the country’s pride by encouraging Nigerian travellers including public officials to patronise Nigerian registered airlines.
He said: “It is high time we do away with our colonial mentality, patronise our own services and regain our pride. As at now, we have no pride and the agencies of government such as FAAN contributed a lot in demeaning Nigeria through its discriminatory tendencies in favour of foreign carriers”.
In reaction to the recent alleged corruption involving NCAA and the Minister of Aviation, he said this was part of the wrath he was talking about, adding “We now know what they spent the money we paid on, instead of using the money to improve on the industry’s infrastructures and safety”.
Earlier in the day, the airline unveiled its newly acquired Airbus A330-200 aircraft aimed at boosting its international operations.
Nicknamed -Our Lady of Grace- the aircraft offer a two class configuration with 30 Premier Business Class seats and 187 Economy Class seats.
The aircraft is fitted with the same on-board product with its A340-500 providing the latest in comfort and style and a consistent product experience on its long-haul fleet.
The Premier Business Class product is carefully tailored to meet the discerning business traveller’s needs. Passengers will have individual secluded booth areas that contain flat beds featuring an in-built massage system complete with a hand held 3.5” LCD screen unit controlling seat and lighting functions. The very latest in-flight entertainment can be enjoyed on a large 17 inch widescreen monitor installed on the front wall of the booth.
Federal government has temporarily suspended the controversial annual dues imposed on public interest enterprises by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) after fierce opposition from businesses.
Jumoke Oduwole, minister, Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced the decision during a Ministerial Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The move follows mounting pressure from private sector groups, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who slammed the Financial Reporting Council (Amendment) Act 2023 for burdening companies with excessive fees.
The Act mandates cumulative annual charges for non-listed entities and imposes a harsh 10% monthly penalty on unpaid dues, compounding until full payment, a provision that sparked widespread backlash.
At the meeting, major industry players like NECA, MAN, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), oil producers, and telecom operators warned that the fees would cripple businesses already struggling in a tough economy.
Oduwole clarified the suspension, stating, “The government has decided to direct the Financial Reporting Council to pause in the implementation of the new annual dues. You know that I am a lawyer, and a suspension request by the organised private sector would be in contravention of legislation duly passed by the National Assembly. A pause is an administrative process simply to review, in line with what we discussed today.”
She assured stakeholders that the halt would last no longer than 60 days, with a technical working group—including FRC officials and private sector representatives—set up to reassess the policy.
“We are a listening administration. The private sector has requested a range from three months to an indefinite suspension. We are not going to do that. So, at the most, 60 days is in my estimate. We are going to set up a technical working group comprised of the FRC and the organised private sector who have formally written in, and this will be reviewed,” Oduwole emphasized.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is intensifying efforts to standardise locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, in order to enhance both local and international acceptance.
Aharanwa Chuks, Director of Region (South East), SON, communicated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Chuks said through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SON ensured that all Nigerian-made products conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
According to him, MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products meet established quality benchmarks.
“This process includes inspecting production facilities, sampling products and testing them against NIS requirements.
“Successful compliance results in the issuance of the MANCAP certification, signifying adherence to quality standards.
“In Aba, SON has been proactive in educating manufacturers about standardization.’’
The director said SON also conducted stakeholder interactions; gathering manufacturers from various sectors to provide guidance on producing goods that met both local and international standards.
“For instance, leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on standardization practices to enhance the global competitiveness of their products.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with SON to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only marketable within Nigeria but also competitive internationally.
“This initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and promote the acceptance of Made-in-Aba products globally,” Chuks said.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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