Dana Air Confirms Aircraft Runway Incident

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April 23, 2024

Dana Air has broken its silence after one of its aircraft overshot the runway on landing at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday.

The airline, in a statement said it regretted to inform the public of a runway excursion involving one of its aircraft, registration number SN BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today.

“We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism,” it said.

Domestic Airlines In Nigeria Increases Fares by 100%

Dana Air said it had also updated the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the incident.

It added that the aircraft involved had been grounded by its maintenance team for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities, our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident and our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.

“We wish to reassure our passengers that their safety will always be our top priority, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Dana Air said.

DfE Says 85,000 More Free Childcare Places Needed in England

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 23, 2024

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Department for Education (DfE) says about 85,000 extra childminder and nursery places are needed in England for the expansion of government-funded hours for babies and toddlers.

It also said 40,000 more staff will need to be recruited by September 2025.

The UK government said it is providing maximum support to nurseries and all providers to make the plans a reality.

In April, the first phase of the childcare expansion plans began, with two-year-olds of eligible working parents given 15 free hours a week during term time.

Figures released by the DfE show that so far, about 79% of eligible families who applied, a total of 195,355, are already using the free hours for their two-year-olds.

It states that thousands more children will have their places confirmed over the coming weeks and some parents also tend to change their mind about formal childcare, so will not use the service.

Liberia Education Coalition Lobbies for Increment in Education Budget

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 23, 2024

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The Education Advocacy Coalition has recently concluded a meeting with lawmakers to rally for an increase in the national educational budget from 16.3 percent to 20 percent.

The coalition, consisting of organizations including Institute for Democratic Africa and Development, amongs others, funded by USAID through the Civil Society Activity (CSA) is aimed at push for an additional 3.7 percent in the educational budget.

The proposed budget increase, from US$105,957,481 to US$129,975,393, is intended to lead to various improvements in the education sector.

These include the onboarding of 6,000 teachers onto the Government’s payroll (2 per school), provision of school supplies to 2,813 schools (US$2,600 per school) and upgrading school facilities for 2,813 schools ($1,298.7 per school).

The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Grand Bassa County Senator, Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, Bong County Electoral District #6 Representative, Moima Briggs Mensah and House of Representatives co-chair committee on education, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education.

Senator Findley expressed concerns about the quality of education post-increment, emphasizing the need for advocacy for better educational standards, highlighting challenges such as lack of qualified teachers in certain areas, leading to inadequate education delivery.

Little Kids Added To Malicious WhatsApp Groups

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 16, 2024

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Children as young as nine have been added to malicious WhatsApp groups promoting self-harm, sexual violence and racism.

Thousands of parents with children at schools across Tyneside have been sent a warning issued by Northumbria Police.

According to reports, One parent said her 12-year-old daughter had viewed sexual images, racism and swearing that no child should be seeing.

WhatsApp owner, Meta said all users has options to control who can add them to groups and the ability to block and report unknown numbers.

It comes after the minimum age for WhatsApp users in the UK and Europe was reduced from 16 to 13.

The government said it had not received notice of the change in advance.

Northumbria Police said it was investigating a report of malicious communications involving inappropriate content aimed at young people.

The spokesperson encouraged people to take an interest in their children’s use of social media and report any concerns to police.

JAMB Announces 2024 UTME Notification slip Ready For Printing

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 16, 2024

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Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced that the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination Notification Slip, which shows candidates the date, venue, and time of their examination, is ready for printing.

The statement which was signed by the Board’s Head of Public Affairs, Fabian Benjamin, said all candidates, who had registered for the 2024 UTME scheduled to commence 19th April 2024, were urged to print their Notification Slips on the commencement day.

He added that this would enable them to know the date, venue, and time of their respective examinations as well as some other vital information regarding the examination.

To print the slip, candidates are to visit the JAMB website and input their registration number, then click on print.

The slip can be printed anywhere provided there is an internet-enabled computer.

To successfully sit the examination, candidates are advised to print on or before the 19th April 2024, to locate the venue of their centre to prevent lateness on their scheduled examination date.

The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence 19th and end on 29th April, 2024.

UNILORIN Professor Produces Biodiesel From Eggshells

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 16, 2024

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A Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, Temitope Elizabeth Odetoye, has produced biodiesel through the exploration of chicken eggshell-derived heterogeneous catalysts.

Speaking with Newsmen in Ilorin, Professor Odetoye said that feat is in line with the efforts of the nation’s most sought-after university, the University of Ilorin, towards developing homegrown technology that would enhance the socio-economic progress of the country.

She explained that the feat was accomplished through transesterification experiment.

Odetoye said the yield showed that eggshell was an affordable potential catalyst source for biodiesel production.

The renowned scholar said that the utilisation of eggshells can add value to the poultry production process and minimise waste in the poultry industry.

Professor Odetoye pointed out that biodiesel had been considered one of the sustainable fuel alternatives.

She noted that the high production cost of biodiesel when juxtaposed with fossil fuel, remains one of the major drawbacks in biodiesel production.

Professor Odetoye defined biofuel as fuel made from biomass, saying: “Biofuel is synonymous with biocrude, biodiesel, bio-oil, biogas, bioethanol, biosyngas and bioslurry fuels.

The Professor of Chemical Engineering added that Nigeria is endowed with abundant lignocellulosic biomass residues waiting to be explored through more environmentally friendly ways.

Professor Odetoye noted that the open burning of biomass residues had led to pollution of the environment, especially in the dry season.

According to her, biomass waste pyrolysis is a potential means of converting waste to wealth and will create opportunities for skilled engineers and technicians.

She added that when the ensuing fuel is deployed for massive usage it would make the nation’s physical environment cleaner and more conducive for healthy living.

NANS Elects New Leadership In Anambra

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 16, 2024

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Joint Campus Council (JCC), Anambra axis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has elected a new leadership to pilot the affairs of students in the state for a new dispensation.

The election which was held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over the weekend, had in attendance numerous Students’ Unions and the association’s stakeholders across seven tertiary institutions in the State.

The participatory institutions comprises; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State Polytenic Mgbakwu, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Federal Polytenic Oko, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze and Metallurgical Training Institue Onitsha.

The process produced Comrade Mathew Okoye Okpala, a student from the Department of Political Science, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, as the new Chairman of the State.

Okpala polled 4 votes to defeat Comrade Ifeanyo Chukwuemeka of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University who had 3 votes out of the 6 candidates that participated in the keenly contest.

Other officials were also elected unopposed.

Addressing a press conference in Awka, the newly elected Chairman, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the signing of the student loans, which he noted will help in making sure that Nigerian students complete their studies without any inches.

We thank the governor of Anambra state, Prof. Charles Soludo for his developmental strides and the ongoing projects across the state.

We also want to thank the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students’ Comr. Lucky Emenofe for making sure the students’ loans come to reality.

NANS director of Sport, Comrade Okafor, and Chairman, NANS Stakeholders Forum (South East), Comrade Patrick Afubera who were also present during the briefing, describe the election as the most peaceful and transparent.

Armorer Gutierrez sentenced To 18 Months over Deadly On-Set Shooting

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Emenike Agu

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April 16, 2024

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The armorer who loaded the gun that killed a cinematographer on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie “Rust” was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a US court on Monday.

Hannah Gutierrez stood impassive as a judge in New Mexico told her she was not remorseful for the October 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins during filming of the budget Western.

Gutierrez’s 10-day trial for involuntary manslaughter had heard how despite being the person charged with handling on-set firearms, the 26-year-old had repeatedly failed to follow basic safety rules, leaving guns unattended and allowing actors — including Baldwin — to wave weapons around.

It also heard how she was responsible for the presence of six live rounds — a movie industry red line — and how she had loaded one of them into the Colt .45 that Baldwin was using.

The weapon discharged as the actor was preparing a scene inside a wooden church, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

The movie’s star Baldwin, who was also a producer, faces his own involuntary manslaughter trial in July. He denies the charge.

If convicted, he too faces a possible 18 months in prison.

Dave Halls, the film’s safety coordinator and assistant director, who handed Baldwin the loaded gun, agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors last year and was sentenced to six months’ probation.

The tragedy sent shock waves through Hollywood and led to calls for a complete ban on the use of weapons on movie sets.

Industry insiders, however, insisted that rules were already in place to prevent such incidents, and that those working on “Rust” had not followed them.

The filming of “Rust” was halted by Hutchins’ death, but completed last year on location in Montana.

The cinematographer’s widower, Matthew Hutchins, who has already settled a wrongful death suit with “Rust” producers, served as an executive producer.

AGN suspends filmmaker Adanma Luke, bans riverine shoots

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Emenike Agu

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April 16, 2024

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The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has suspended filmmaker Adanma Luke indefinitely over the death of actor Jnr Pope Odonwodo.

The talented actor and four colleagues reportedly drowned while returning from a movie shoot, ‘Another Side of Life’ produced by Luke, after their boat capsized at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point Asaba, Delta State.

Jnr Pope was confirmed dead after his body was found and was taken to three different hospitals.

AGN President Emeka Rollas announced Luke’s suspension in a statement, as well as other pronouncements.

Following Jnr Pope’s death, the AGN President said the Guild has indefinitely suspended films involving riverine areas and boat riding.

The statement read in part: “Following the tragic incident of boat mishap that claimed the life of John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope and four other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10 April 2024 on a movie set titled ‘The other side of Life’ produced by Adanma Luke

“The leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions:

(1) All films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are at this moment suspended indefinitely

(2) No shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024.

(3)The film titled ‘Another Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely

(4) No actor is allowed to work with Adanma Luke as a producer till further notice.

(5) While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace.”

Allen Onyema deserves commendation rather than condemnation

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Henry Williams

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April 10, 2024

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The social media has been buzzing over the giant stride made by Air Peace breaking the glass ceiling by flying to London. This remarkable accomplishment is something to shout about. All well-meaning Nigerians should applaud his giant stride in threading where renowned airlines are bestriding.

This in route crashed the cost of flight from Nigeria to London, that’s what happens when an enterprise chooses to break the power of monopoly. As I look forward to their launch into other international routes, it is expected that the cost of international trips will continue to crash. Kudos to Allen Onyeama and Air Peace team.

While the progressives are hailing the triumph of Air Peace, the retrogrades are casting pebbles on Air peace and their CEO, Allen Oyeama. What crime have they committed to warrant the viral criticism? They have accused him of ethicising his airline and questioned why the members of his crew wore Isi Agu fabric in their maiden flight.

Some said the dressing of the crew should have represented the ethnic groups that we have in Nigeria. I wonder how he will be able to achieve that with the number of ethnic groups that we have in Nigeria. Even if they had said that they should have represented the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, I wonder how the members of the crew would appear wearing different traditional blazer.

If these critics are intelligent they should have been patient with Allen Onyeama, afterall the London route is not the only destination that has been “conquered” by an indigenous airline. There are several other nations and a few airlines in Nigeria that could take those giant strides. Maybe then, the CEO of the airlines will also choose to use other Nigerian traditional fabrics in their maiden flight to such countries. Sadly, many are myopic and don’t see beyond their noses.

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country and our goal should be to de-emphasize our differences and jettison commentaries which seek to put a knife in the cord that binds us together as a nation. Caustic conversations which seek to pitch the Igbos against the Hauses or the Hausas against the Yorubas or the Kanuris against the Ijaw should be jettisoned and individuals who seek to fan into ember the flames of ethnocentrism should be publicly upbraided to drive home the point that we’ve gone beyond parochial dispositions and practices.

It is also very necessary for the leadership of the country to issue statements against those who seek to divide us. If they remain complacent over issues of unity, then the country may snowball into a genocidal crisis in decades to come. The Rwandan genocide between the Hutus and the Tutsis wasn’t a sudden occurrence; it began with words! One ethnic group referred to the other as cockroaches in their cupboards and before long they chose to kill the cockroaches. This was how it turned to a genocide.

In today’s Rwanda nobody toys with ethnic politics or such conversations. It attracts a prison term. Today, people of different nationalities go to Rwanda to see where the history of the genocide has been preserved. Many who went there wept. The movie Hotel Rwanda told half of the story of the Rwandan genocide.

The piece is not about the Rwandan genocide but to draw the attention of Nigerians to the debilitating effects of ethnic “politics’’ and ethnocentrism. Identifying with the camp of the attackers of Air peace and Allen Oyeama is tantamount to identifying one’s self as a retrograde. The time is right to remove the lenses of ethnic bigotry and see with the eyes of a nationalist.

Nnamdi Abana writes in from Abuja.

April 2, 2024.