This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Ejike Ndiulo, head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace, on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Ndiulo, the decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
He said without these reports from the control tower, flight safety could not be guaranteed.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling,” he said.
The staff of NiMET on Tuesday commenced an indefinite strike over the condition of service and other demands.
News
Intel, Genius Illumina Advocate State Science Fairs
Intel Corporation in collaboration with Genius Illumina is calling on State government to institutionalize science and technology fairs that will further enhance technological advancement of the Nation.
Speaking at this year’s National Festival of School Science, Babatunde Akinola, Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “Intel believes that young people are the key to solving global challenges. A solid math and science foundation coupled with skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving are crucial for their success. That is why we promote education programs, ambitious policies, and technology access to enable tomorrow’s innovators”.
Akinola explained further, “Intel has invested over $1 billion, and its employees have volunteered over 3 million hours to improve education around the world over the last decade. In Nigeria, we firmly believe that maintaining the country’s competitiveness in today’s global economy will in large part depend on the success of our nation’s students. Intel’s education programs span across basic technology and science skills and reach students in all 50 states”
Akinola bemoaned that students’ interest in education is waning, saying any nation that would have a breakthrough economically would have to place premium on Science and Technology right from secondary school.
“This Catch-Them-Young Programme remains the best way to redirect the country to the path of Science and Technology called STEM. If a nation wants to be competitive in the global economy, then it has to focus essentially on this sector, because it is the pivot of any economy” He added
He said: “With this programme, we tend to give relevance to these kids and creating a veritable platform for them to realize their potentials.
The organizer of the fair, Genius, Dr. Jerry Orhue, executive director experiencing his deep concerns about academic situation said “it is regrettably to note that many of the young and promising Nigerians were dropping out of schools for lack of requisite information, but I am of the opinion that poor funding of education has become a global phenomenon that needed to be tackled, particularly in a developing nation like Nigeria.
Dr Irhue posited that it is impossible for the government to adequately fund education in a vastly populated nation like Nigeria, saying the Corporate organizations would have to complement the efforts at putting Science and Technology in the fore-front for the country to hit its vision 20: 2020.
Of particular reference, Dr Irhue called on other private organizations operating in Nigeria to take a cue from Intel Corporation that took interest in the promotion of Science and Technology for Nigeria to get better advanced in this sector.
Dr. Kolapo Olubunmi, Deputy Governor, who was present at the award presentation, said “the State has continued to place premium priority on education to revive the old glory, when Ekiti was favourably leading in education in Nigeria.
He said the State Government had established three specialized Science Government Schools in Emure, Ayede and Iyin Ekiti, saying the schools are adequately funded by the government to promote Science and Technology.
Doregos Private Academy, Lagos emerged as the first and second winner while Government College School Kastina emerged as the third winner of the 2015 fair. Winners went home with Laptops, 50 different science/technology books, medals, plaques and all-expense paid to attend Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (INTEL-ISEF) in the United.
Apart from Intel’s focus on education, Science competitions are at the heart of Intel’s education programs. By sponsoring the competitions, it is possible to help identify and celebrate talented young scientists, while inspiring younger students to follow in their footsteps and communities/governments to invest in high-quality science education.
Against the backdrop of Lagos State’s proactive efforts to reform its electricity sector, the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) has launched its ‘Renew Energy Nigeria’ platform, a nationwide initiative with potential synergies for the state’s ambitious energy goals.
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, CADEF’s Executive Director, introduced the platform in Lagos, highlighting its aim to empower Nigerians with information and access to decentralized renewable energy (DER) solutions. “The launch of this platform marks a significant step towards democratizing access to information and resources within Nigeria’s burgeoning sustainable energy sector.”
The platform’s launch comes as Lagos State, under the Lagos State Electricity Law, is actively establishing a regulatory framework and attracting private sector investment. Kamaldeen Abiodun-Balogun, General Manager of the LSEB, detailed the state’s progress in creating a functional electricity market, ensuring payment security, and addressing infrastructure challenges. “This law enabled us to create policy documents and establish regulatory agencies to initiate the implementation of the Lagos electricity market,” he explained, adding that private sector involvement will be key in areas where existing Discos face performance issues.
Segun Adaju, a private sector player deeply engaged in the energy sector, lauded Lagos State’s leadership. “In all these, Lagos State is always setting the pace. Many of us in the private sector players like myself, we are also looking up to Lagos State to set the pace,” he said, also mentioning his work on the Centralized Renewable Energy Desk for the state government.
While acknowledging national-level challenges such as import restrictions and forex fluctuations as noted by Professor Ndukwe-Okafor: “The recent federal plan on restrictions on the importation of solar products and the fluctuation of forex rate have made clean energy solutions costly”, the focus on Lagos State’s progress suggests a promising local environment for DER adoption, potentially amplified by CADEF’s new platform.
The broader socio-economic context, as highlighted by Olumide Ajayi, “Over 40% of Nigerians do not have access to reliable electricity”, underscored the importance of initiatives like ‘Renew Energy Nigeria’ and the enabling policies being implemented in states like Lagos.
Professor Ndukwe-Okafor concluded with a powerful call to action. “This platform is not an isolated intervention. It is aligned with our ideal country’s national vision, the 30-30-30 initiative. Let us not build a solar future that only serves the wealthy. Let us democratize clean energy. Let us make it local, inclusive, and scalable.”
The launch of “Renew Energy Nigeria” marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future for Nigeria, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to empowering its citizens. The platform is now live and accessible to all Nigerians seeking reliable and clean energy alternatives
A federal high court in Abuja has granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) promoters over allegations of investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.
Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application moved by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.
In the application by the EFCC, the six suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.
The commission sought an order of the court for a warrant of arrest of the defendants.
They also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution”.
Yusuf said that the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said preliminary investigation into the intel revealed that the defendants “using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest crypto cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform”.
The EFCC said the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100 percent.
“The victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stablecoin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet,” Yusuf said.
“The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.
“Following the deposits valued at over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.
“The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.
“During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
“It was also discovered during the investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”
The anti-graft agency said obtaining a warrant of arrest was necessary in order to place the defendants on a watch list, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend the suspects to face the charges brought against them.
Nwite granted the request for a warrant of arrest and remand, adding that the order was necessary to enable the commission to apprehend the defendants and conclude its investigation.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant,” Nwite said.
“I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto, along with the written address.
“I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.
“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”
Earlier in April, reports emerged that CBEX users could no longer withdraw their funds.
On Monday, angry investors stormed and looted the office of Smart Treasure (ST Team), an affiliate of CBEX, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The EFCC recently confirmed receiving multiple complaints about the platform.
Dele Oyewale, the commission spokesperson, assured affected investors that efforts were underway to recover their funds.
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