Keyamo Summons Aviation Heads Over Safety Concerns

Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, has urgently convened a meeting with top officials from regulatory bodies in the Nigerian aviation sector to tackle growing worries about safety within the industry. Keyamo outlined the meeting’s focus, highlighting the need for a thorough examination of recent events that have stirred public unease regarding aviation safety. Expressing a proactive stance, the minister emphasized the necessity of implementing strict measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. In a statement shared on X, he stated, “In response to the safety apprehensions raised by the public in the aviation sector, I’ve called upon the heads of regulatory agencies to convene later today. Our aim is to scrutinize the incidents causing these concerns, ensuring preventive actions and applying necessary penalties for prior mishaps.” This initiative comes in the wake of multiple unsettling occurrences in the aviation industry over the past few weeks.

Nigerian airlines to smile as FG assures of BASA implementation  

The Federal Government has assured that it would strive to implement policies that ensure Nigeria’s airlines benefit from the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) it signed with other countries. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Dr Emmanuel Meribole made this statement at a reception recently organised by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to celebrate the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and the Caribbean country by Air Peace Airline recently. Represented by Director Air Transport Management of the Ministry, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu, Meribole said the journey would further strengthen the relationship of both countries in the areas of commerce, trade, and tourism while acknowledged the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Antiguan/Barbudan authorities for approving the designation of Air Peace by the Nigerian Aeronautical Authorities to fly the Nigerian-Antiguan route. In his remarks, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Gatson Browne said “It is a new dawn for the relationship between Nigeria and Antigua”. He emphasized on the ancestral linkage between the Caribbean nations and Africa, which he referred to as the Motherland saying Antigua and Barbuda was home to every African and his government is desirous to promote economic and bilateral ties with African nations within the context of the South-South cooperation. He urged members of the business community from Nigeria and potential investors to take advantage of the favorable economic policy of his government to invest in the country. The Prime Minister further revealed that the country was in a collaboration with Air Peace Airline to float an airline known as LIAT 2020 which would commence flight operations soon. The airline, he said , on commencement of operations would operate in the entire Caribbean countries thus making air connectivity between Africa, the entire Caribbean countries, and America stress-free. Speaking earlier, Director for Economic, Trade and Investment, in the Foreign Affairs Ministry Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, said the development signposts the beginning of a newfound relationship between Antigua and Barbuda as well as the entire Caribbean countries. He said the air connectivity was in sync with the Foreign policy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu of integrating the economy of Africa nations. Akinremi further said, Caribbean countries were considered as an integral part of Africa as the fifth bloc. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to foster the new fond relationship by promoting Bilateral meetings between the business communities of both counties.