General News
NCAA to Regulate Employment of Technical Personnel
Captain Fola Akinkuotu, director general of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA], has urged pilots and other technical personnel in the nation’s aviation sector to stay focused, promising that very soon, plans would be unfolded aimed at reducing indigenous pilots’ unemployment.
According to him, this could be possible through the introduction of new regulations that would make it mandatory for airlines to make local pilots their first choice in the employment of not only pilots, but also other technical personnel in the industry.
Captain Akinkuotu made the remarks on Tuesday when the executive members of the Nigerian Professional Pilots led by Captain Nogie Meggison, its president paid a courtesy visit to him in Ikeja, Lagos.
He sympathized with the members of the group with the state of unemployment of many of their members adding that the issue of pilots’ unemployment was of global concern of which Nigeria was not an exception.
He however pointed out to them that having qualified as pilots was not a license for immediate employment and that they should continuously strive to improve themselves by gathering experience from other fields until they were able to be employed.
He noted with dissatisfaction that in the year 2009, there were so many foreign pilots, especially from Europe flying in Nigeria than local pilots.
The director general said,:” As a matter of fact, this was the topic of discussion in one of the meetings I had and I keep telling people that law is dynamic, the fact that the law is not there today to checkmate this type of absurdity, does not mean that we cannot propagate it in the law. Laws are meant to be reviewed. We will put something new very soon. Don’t think you are the only people carrying the cross, other professionals are and we are addressing the issue”.
Over two hundred indigenous Pilots are roaming the streets without job in the face of increasing expatriates quota abuse by domestic airlines.
According to Captain Meggison,: ” We have private and government sponsored individuals coming from around the world. We are quite a number and amongst us are those that are out of school for two to three years and have not been flying”.
While explaining that they were at the Aviation House to congratulate the new Director General on his appointment, Captain Meggison explained that his members were faced with numerous challenges which he would not be able to enumerate presently because the visit was only meant to felicitate with the Director General on his appointment.
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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