Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, inaugurated the N1 billion Export Processing & Packaging Centre (EPPC) at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, on Friday. The facility aims to enhance cargo exports.

Keyamo assured NAHCO PLC of continued support in the cargo export business, emphasising revenue growth.

The Minister noted that with advanced equipment and expertise, challenges in exporting perishable goods will diminish, including shelf life, temperature control, packaging, handling, and regulatory compliance.

Represented by FAAN’s Olubunmi Kuku, Keyamo encouraged stakeholders to utilize the facility.

He said, “In a world where revenue growth is key,I want to assure NAHCO that we will continue to support them in this and other ventures. It is my hope that exporters and other stakeholders will take full advantage of this facility to boost Nigeria’s export numbers, which will impact positively on our balance of payment position and strengthen the Naira.”

She highlighted FAAN’s commitment to promoting cargo development, forming a committee to address facilitation challenges, particularly in exports.

The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development established the Cargo Services Directorate in FAAN to enhance freight services and foster innovation.

Kuku praised NAHCO Aviance’s leadership for their innovative approach and forward-thinking.

“I think it helps when an experienced business like yours sees the business sense in building a facility such as this to aid other businesses,” she said.

During the commissioning, Dr. Seinde Fadeni, NAHCO’s Chairman, expressed gratitude for the government’s support in easing business challenges.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration and thanked contributors for the project’s success. Fadeni urged the Federal Government to bolster NAHCO’s efforts in advancing Nigerian aviation.

In his words, “We have achieved this and the new task is to set a new goal. Our only request to the government on this occasion would be that; should we need your support in our quest to move aviation forward in Nigeria in our own little way, please be there for us.”

Fadeni emphasised NAHCO’s belief in Nigeria’s potential for food exports, stating, “We would need the government to give us all the support we need. The livelihood and indeed prosperity of many Nigerians depend on the export of perishables.”

He urged the federal government to convene stakeholders to propel the export segment forward and encouraged all involved parties to utilise the facility for export purposes.

Highlighting the significance of the new facility, he emphasised its stakeholder-centric design.

Indranil Gupta, NAHCO’s Group Managing Director, underscored the strategic significance of the facility, aiming to enhance Nigerian product competitiveness globally and create domestic employment.

The GMD emphasised that through streamlined export processes, adherence to strict packaging standards, and ensuring product quality, NAHCO enhances Nigeria’s product reputation globally.

Gupta stressed the significance of this endeavour, stating, “This is very important.” He further highlighted the Export Processing and Packaging Centre’s role in fostering skills development and empowering Nigerian youths.

Gupta underscored that the center embodies NAHCO’s commitment not only to business but also to socio-economic empowerment.

“As we commission this centre, we are embarking on a journey that not only strengthens our foothold in the global market but also contributes to the economic development of Nigeria. This facility is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to quality, efficiency, global standards, and customer satisfaction,” he said.

He mentioned that the EPPC provides office spaces for regulatory bodies and government agencies.

NAHCO PLC is committed to nurturing collaborative ties with cargo agents, valued clients of the facility.
He expressed gratitude to the government, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in realising this vision. NAHCO anticipates ongoing collaboration for mutual benefit.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has expressed concern over the poor response of youths from the state to the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, noted that it had come to the notice of the government that the quota allocated to the state in the recruitment exercise has been grossly underutilized.

According to the statement, 700 candidates from the state, who were invited for interview, towards recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, failed to show up.

“Regrettably, about 700 candidates invited for interview in the ongoing recruitment exercise are yet to show up.

“To this end, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has directed all local government Mayors, Chairmen of traditional rulers Councils and their members in all the LGAs, Presidents-general of town unions, and community leaders to immediately mobilize their youths for this very important exercise to ensure that the state’s quota is filled.

“The Governor further directed all those who have been invited for the interview as a matter of urgency, to appear for the exercise.

“Abia cannot be left out in the scheme of any aspect of Nigeria’s socio-political and economic life,” the statement said.

The statement further urged all invited candidates who are yet to show up for the recruitment exercise, for one reason or the other, to approach the Office of the Commissioner for Information and Culture for further clarifications.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said corrupt governance was responsible for the crises of insecurity and banditry in the Northern part of the country.

Shettima stated at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation lecture and award hosted by Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum in Maiduguri Saturday.

The vice president, represented by his special adviser on Political Affairs, Hakeem-Baba Ahmed, said Sardauna has left a legacy of accountability, fairness and probity, which the current leaders defied.

He identified corruption by leaders as one of the root causes of insecurity, saying, “The leader cannot engage in corruption if he wants to stand above the common thief, the bandit and the kidnapper.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, also blamed corruption as the reason why the country is not getting things right, while calling those in the position of leadership to provide good governance.

The guest speaker, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, called on the policy makers to address abuse of power and insecurity challenges facing the country.

According to him, the reason why Sardauna is being glorified is the value of teamwork, resilience and commitment to the provision of qualitative education, agriculture, and infrastructural development.

The chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya noted that good governance is the only way out of the insecurity in the region and the country as a whole.

Emeritus professor Umaru Shehu, Aisha Muhammed Nahuce, Professor Deborah Eniho and Adams David Baiki were among those that were awarded by the foundation.

The 11th Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture is to be hosted by Bauchi State in 2025.

Concerned about the growing security threats posed by the activities of scavengers and cart pushers, the Enugu State government has restated its ban on their operations, warning that scavengers and cart pushers caught would be prosecuted.

The reaffirmation of the proscription of the scavengers and their activities popularly called, “Iron Condemn” in local parlance, was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday, after an elaborate meeting with the leadership and representatives of the Hausa/Fulani Community and their Igbo and Yoruba counterparts at the Government House, Enugu.

Lamenting that hundreds of petitions had been received from members of the public protesting against the activities of the illegal waste pickers, the SSG said enforcement of the ban, arrest and prosecution of violators would commence on Monday, 29 January, 2024.

He observed that scavengers with evil motives were infiltrating the state, breaking into people’s homes and stealing their valuables, adding that the state is determined to protect life of the citizens and safeguard their properties against intruders.

Citing section 20 of Enugu State Environmental Law, Prof. Onyia said anyone caught scavenging within the state risks 2 years imprisonment, calling on residents to be on the lookout for would-be-violators and report the to the nearest police station or the taskforce set up for that purpose.

“Enugu State Government is determined to protect every life and property of our citizens. That is our primary responsibility. We will ensure that every threat to the security and peace of the state is eliminated.

The government will no longer condone the activities of scavengers in the state. We have to rid of the state of every vestige of crimes by restoring sanity. We want to assure all residents in the state who are into genuine business that we will continue to work towards making the environment safer for them.

“You will recall that sometime in November 2023, after reports from residents complaining about harassment and theft from scavengers and illegal waste pickers, the government set up a committee to assess the extent of the threats scavengers posed to the wellbeing of our law-abiding citizens.

“It was established that criminals are now roaming the streets posing as scavengers. Following this establishment, the government activated the law that provides against scavenging activities by outlawing these illegal operators.

“However, as government with empathy and humane face, we allowed for time to communicate the order. During the period, it was observed that more of the scavengers had infiltrated the state.

“So, we are now determined to enforce the law. This should serve as a warning to scavengers in the state. By Monday, the state taskforce will be out to give full effect to the proscription,” he added.

The state government further called on the law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute unrepentant scavengers and make examples of them.

Recall that residents in the state have been appealing to the government to tackle the menace of the scavengers and rid them out of the streets.

A few weeks ago, security operatives recovered a set of dangerous arms, including guns and machetes from scavengers arrested at Agbani Road, Gariki and Ogbete Market areas of the state.