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
Konga Chairman, Zinox Group ED Bow Out in Style
Leo Stan Ekeh, serial digital entrepreneur and chairman, Zinox Group has heaped praises on two recently retired executive management staff, Mr. Olusiji Ijogun, chairman of Konga Group, and Mr. Etiene Etukudoh, executive director, Zinox Group, for their immense contributions and years of outstanding service to the companies, even as he expressed deep gratitude to them for their invaluable efforts and sacrifices.
Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh (left) poses with the exiting Executive Director, Etiene Etukudoh (right) and his wife during a valedictory event to mark Etukudoh’s exit.
Ekeh spoke at a smart valedictory event held in honour of Ijogun and Etukudoh.
The event was held at the impressive Yudala Heights located at Idowu Martins, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.
The well-attended event, organized in strict compliance with COVID-19 regulations, saw Executive Management and staff of the Zinox and Konga groups, as well as other guests and associates of the departing staff in attendance.
While delivering his appreciation speech, Ekeh explained his many years of fruitful relationship with the two distinguished personalities and wished them greater heights in their future endeavours.
Ekeh, who described Ijogun as a brother, stated that integrity is a major quality for choice of Chairman for any organization.
“For a company to be successful, the biggest brain is the Chairman and the CEO as they prescribe and supervise the implementation of quality culture, structure and systems. It is not just the knowledge of the business, the integrity of the personality and the quality of leadership.
“The business is bound to fail if the leaders don’t believe in God and that’s a major problem with start-ups in Africa. Konga wouldn’t have survived if I hadn’t known Siji.
‘‘It is a privilege to have Mr. Ijogun as Chairman of the Konga Group and we really appreciate his many efforts,” Ekeh said.
Further, Ekeh drew rich illustrations from his many professional and personal experiences with Mr. Ijogun, noting that his time as Chairman of the Konga Group was a blessing to the entity.
Also speaking about Etukudoh, who spent many performance-filled years at TD Africa where he rose to the position of Managing Director, Ekeh described him as an ideas man who he can always vouch for.
“Etiene is an all-rounder. He worked for all the companies in the Group. He is a good Nigerian and he has style. He’s one young man I can vouch for. He’s brilliant, modern and trustworthy. I have great confidence in him and I always told him when I have new businesses.
“He’s a man of great ideas and we consider it a privilege for him to have worked with us. This relationship is for life. You have me as a father so you can call me anytime,” Ekeh assured.
The event also offered attendees the opportunity to share their goodwill messages as well as their experiences of working with Ijogun and Etukudoh. Many of the speakers were effusive in hailing both men as inspirational professionals who will be greatly missed.
Reacting to the showers of encomiums, Ijogun, a certified corporate guru with a track record of exceptional service with a host of multinationals, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the first Chairman of the Konga Group after its acquisition by Zinox.
He described Ekeh as a calculated risk taker and an unmatched incubator of businesses who can turn profit from waste.
He also predicted a progressive future for Konga and charged the Group to remain resilient by sustaining its impressive growth trajectory.
“Konga’s growth is phenomenal. Nobody knew online platforms would be the order of the day before COVID-19. To the glory of God, Konga has moved from loss-making to profit-making, with over 15 times greater in terms of revenue and I must commend Mr. Ekeh for the deep pockets.
“ Since inception, we’ve added the Health, Food, Bulk and Travel business and still have more in the offing. With influx of investors, Konga will be a major African business initiative in the nearest future,” Ijogun declared.
Also expressing gratitude for the memorable show of love, Etukudoh reaffirmed his loyalty as a brand ambassador for the Zinox Group.
“I am grateful for the honour. In everything, I just wanted a big brand. I want to celebrate everyone who has been a part of my life. It’s been a journey. I came into the Group and made up my mind to demystify what people call the ‘Oga status’.
‘‘After today, nobody remembers the title but how you treated them. I’ll recommend that every staff work closely with the Chairman for at least one year before they leave the company.
“Chairman has been a big brother and his hunger has no part two. I’m grateful to Chairman, his wife, Mrs. Chioma Ekeh and everyone else. This is a great family and we have to keep it growing forever,” he said.
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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