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Airport project: Osun, NAF partner to build Africa’s first, largest aviation city 

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Former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola
Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola
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…as Oyetola hands over runway, airport corridor to Nigerian Airforce

As part of his administration’s relentless efforts to rekindle the collective hopes of the citizens and stimulate the State economy, Osun government has partnered Nigerian Air Force to build Africa’s first and largest aviation city in Ido-Osun.

The initiative, according to the government, is a testament to the current administration’s untiring efforts to keep the dream of having an airport in Osun alive.

This is even as Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday, handed over the runway and airport corridor for the commencement of the construction phase of the project.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amoo, who led the Nigerian Air Force delegation to Osun, lauded Oyetola for what he described as a major milestone in the state’s history, describing the partnership as another developmental stride in the State.

According to him, the aviation city is sequel to the relocation of the Research and Development Centre of the Force from Kaduna to Osogbo in 2021, in addition to the existing Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety and a Special Operation Force Group at Ipetu-Ijesha.

Describing the components of the project, Amoo, who was represented by the Principal Director, Air Force Research and Development Centre, Air Vice Marshall M. O. Onilede, said: “The project would include an aircraft manufacturing plant, a maintenance repair organisation and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle production centre, amongst others.

“It would be the first of its kind on the continent.

“The runway is therefore a critical requirement for these facilities. This is why this occasion today is not only a laudable one but a major milestone towards many other achievements”.

Handing over the official documents of the runway and airport corridor to the Chief of Air Staff, Governor Oyetola said his administration has taken the bull by the horns to ensure that the State keeps the dream of having an airport in Osun alive.

He added that the handover ceremony signalled the beginning of another mutually-beneficial relationship with the Nigerian Air Force to speed up the construction and accelerate the completion of the airport.

“As a government that is desirous of diversifying the State’s economy, we realized early enough that the completion of the Osun airport would aid our economic transformation efforts. We however became helpless when confronted with the humongous amount required to make the dream a reality, especially in the face of competing demands in a depressed economy.

“As a government given to creative alternatives to meet societal needs, we embarked on a diplomatic shuttle, first by visiting the Minister of Aviation and later the Chief of Air Staff, all in the quest to develop the airport corridor.

“Efforts of the State Government through the Ministry of Works and Transport resulted in several meetings and inspection visits by the officials of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Air force.

“Our visit to the Chief of Air Staff yielded positive results, and since then, the Chief of Air Staff has remained true to the commitment reached, first by relocating the Airforce Research and Development Centre, which I am told will carry out research into manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, rockets and other war items, to Osun and later by requesting for 100 hectares of land along the airport corridor in Ido-Osun for the purpose of establishing an Air Force Base.

“However, we could only get 60 hectares along that axis for the Air Force Base in Ido-Osun. When we needed additional land, to accommodate parts of the Airforce Base project, specifically, the barracks, Osun Government approached the Nigerian Army.
“I personally wrote to the Army authority, requesting it to grant us additional 50 hectares of land from the military acquired land along the Osogbo-Kelebe axis of the State for the barracks and the army graciously granted our request. I cannot thank the Chief of Army Staff enough for the gesture.

“I am happy to inform this gathering that our diplomatic shuttle to the Federal Ministry of Aviation also yielded positive results.  But it is heart-warming and a thing of joy that it is at this stage of the collaborative efforts of the State Government and the Federal Ministry of Aviation at developing the Airport that the Nigerian Air Force indicated its desire to use the entire Airport Land for its Aviation Technology City project, which I am told will be the first of its kind in Africa. We are indeed lucky in Osun and I feel proud to have been part of this history.

“I would like to state here that the request by the Nigerian Air Force for the State Government to cede the Runway and the entire Airport corridor to them is hereby granted. The corridor will be developed for both military and civilian use.

“Let me state, as we are executing the ceremonial handover today, that all the support that will be required for the effective take-off of the Osun airport will be provided by the State. We shall also keep the Nigerian Airforce abreast of the issues with the previous technical design of the airport, as pointed out by the Ministry of Aviation. They will guide the Force in the execution of the project”, Oyetola added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Remi Omowaye, described the project as critical to the state’s drive to become a viable investment destination.

He lauded Governor Oyetola for giving life to the airport project, for which approval was got in 2007.

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#EndSARS Movement Was Funded From US To Ambush Tinubu From Becoming President – Bisi Akande 

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Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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The former interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has claimed that the #EndSARS movement was designed and funded from the United States of America against President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the #EndSARS movement was heavily funded from the US with support from America and only brought to Nigeria to ambush Tinubu from becoming President.

Speaking in an interview with Edmund Obilo, as seen in a video which has now gone viral on social media, he mentioned that the .obedient movement were the ones behind the #EndSARS movement and protest.

He added that it was after the protest they attempted to transform into a political party and when it became impossible, they all migrated into another political party.

“EndSARS was designed to be the end of Tinubu. Those behind the EndSARS knew that’s what they were doing,” Akande declared during the interview.

Asked by the interviewer to identify those behind the EndSARS movement, Akande replied, “The obidients.”

“The Obidients were behind EndSARS; it was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him (Tinubu).

“Obideints came from America to do the EndSARS and later became a movement to form a party, and they couldn’t form a party and joined whichever party,” the APC chieftain said.

Pushing further, the interviewer noted that Obidients are tied to Peter Obi and Akande, in response said: “Well, maybe Obi’s party, I don’t know, maybe Obi’s movement, I don’t know, but the obidients were behind the EndSARS.

“It was well planned with a lot of money from America.”

He added that it was an ambush that President Tinubu wasn’t aware of.

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Court Grants Sowore ₦10m Bail

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Omoyele Sowore
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The judge gave him 24 hours to perfect the bail conditions or be remanded by the police until the bail is perfected.

The convener of #Revolutionnow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has been granted bail to the tune of ₦10 million and one surety in like sum.

The surety must be a responsible individual with landed property valued in like sum.

The surety is expected to deposit the original documents of landed property and a passport photograph to the registrar of the court.

While ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Justice Musa Liman, ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the registrar of the court.

The judge, however, gave him 24 hours to perfect the bail conditions or be remanded by the police until the bail is perfected.

Sowore had honoured the invitation of the police on Monday, January 27, 2025, when he was questioned at the Force Criminal Investigation Department.

He was subsequently granted administrative bail but rejected the conditions of bail and remained in custody.

The police later filed a 16-count charge of cybercrime against him.

In count three, the police said Sowore on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, called the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force”.

Sowore is being accused by the police of posting the picture Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people can not make progress”.

The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now”.

He pleaded not guilty to 16 count charge of alleged cybercrime.

 

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Nigeria Was On Life Support When Tinubu Assumed Office – Akpabio

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President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
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The Senate President and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the country was on a “life support” as at the time President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

Speaking at his 2024 Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, he called on Nigerians, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom State, to continue supporting President Tinubu as he works to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“Nigeria Was on Life Support,” he said.

His stance comes following ongoing major reforms such as the introduction of the tax bills, removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira, and others introduced by Tinubu.

Akpabio recounted a conversation with President Tinubu about the state of the economy inherited from the previous administration.

“Nigeria was on life support when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu took over. I once asked him, ‘Are you excited about being president after seeing the economy left behind by Emefiele?’ He replied, ‘I must tell you, I didn’t know it was this bad.’”

The Senate President expressed optimism about ongoing economic reforms, noting that while they may be painful, they are necessary for sustainable growth.

“You did it in Lagos, and you will do it again for Nigeria. It’s just a matter of time. We are praying for you, and God will grant you the wisdom to lead us to El Dorado.”

He advised beneficiaries not to sell their empowerment tools but to use them to uplift their families economically.

“We have enough foodstuff to distribute; there should be no stampede. These items are being extended beyond Ikot Ekpene to other senatorial districts in the state.”

“Your support has not only enhanced our educational experience but also inspired us to strive for excellence. Thank you for your unwavering support.”

Akpabio commended Governor Umo Eno for promoting peace and inclusivity in Akwa Ibom.

“Without peace, there cannot be development. The governor has embraced all Akwa Ibom people, regardless of political affiliations.”

He also acknowledged the governor’s Christmas gesture of distributing 1,000 bags of rice to the APC family in the state and announced an additional 1,500 bags of rice for the PDP State Chairman.

Akpabio praised Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, for fostering unity in the Senate.

“Everyone in the Senate has an equal voice, regardless of party affiliation. Opposition is good, but it should be constructive.”

Senator Abba Moro described Akpabio as a leader committed to empowering his people.

“It takes wisdom to know what to give people for lasting benefits rather than instant gratification.”

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, called the empowerment programme “mega, marvellous, and magnificent.”

The event was attended by key political and community leaders, including,

Obongemem Ekperikpo Ekpo (Minister of Petroleum Resources, Gas) Senator Ita Enang (APC Chieftain), Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South), Paramount Rulers of Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim

In closing, Akpabio emphasised the importance of collective effort in building a better Nigeria and assured constituents of continued representation and development-focused initiatives.

 

 

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