General News
FAAN Sends N15m Cheque to Edo
George Uriesi, managing director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has described the authority as a responsible government organisation alive to its responsibility to and to its host communities.
Uriesi made this declaration in Benin, the Edo State capital during a courtesy visit on the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and described the situation that led to the closure of the airport as regrettable and avoidable, promising closer collaboration to avoid future occurrence.
Yakubu Dati, general manager, Corporate Communications in a statement forwarded to Nigeria CommunicationWeek said that FAAN has resolved the issue of outstanding tax payment with the Edo State Government.
He said: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to inform the public, especially aviation stakeholders, that it has resolved the issue of outstanding tax payment with the Edo State Government, following a courtesy call on the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by FAAN’s Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi, in Benin yesterday (Wednesday), July 31, 2013.
“Records clearly showed that FAAN is up-to-date with its payment of PAYE taxes for Benin Airport up to June, 2013 as the Authority makes month-by-month payment to the Edo State Government, direct from Benin Airport, as soon as salaries are paid. Receipts for such monthly payments were made available for verification. Payment for July, 2013 will be ready for payment by August 6, 2013 since FAAN pays salaries between the 24th and 25th of every month.
“What the Edo State Government sends annually for payment is the total of shortfalls in such monthly payments, arrived at after reconciliation of accounts with our consultants. The only outstanding payment of such annual bills is that of 2011, amounting to about N15 million, a cheque for which is now ready for release.
“To date, the Authority has not received the outstanding annual bill for shortfalls in 2012 from the Edo State Government. That bill will be paid as soon as it is received by FAAN.
“We also wish to clarify that our MD/CEO did not apologise to the Governor of Edo State over the tax issue during his courtesy visit to him, contrary to some news reports, but to find the cause of what led to the closure of the airport and to resolve the issue with him.
We believe that it is the responsibility of the Head of Edo State’s Inland Revenue Service to exploit all available official avenue for resolving the issue of taxes before taking such drastic action that caused a lot of inconvenience to airlines, their passengers and other airport users. It was in this regard that our MD has instructed the Benin Airport Manager to ensure that payment of tax bills are paid as and when due.
“Finally, we wish to restate that no State Government, agency or individual has the right to shut down an airport over any issue whatsoever as airports constitute security zones, under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, as enshrined in the Act establishing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Earlier during the MD’s visit, Governor Oshiomhole commended the FAAN team for its maturity, but however stated that the state was pursuing the remittances of the PAYE taxes as owed the state government.
He described the MD as a worthy son of the soil who was doing the state proud.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has explained why kidnappers and terrorists are not always traceable despite the country’s expanding digital identity infrastructure.
NIMC explanation pointed to a simple but significant gap in the system.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director-general of the agency said that: “A lot of the time, you find out the kidnappers use the phones of the people they have abducted, which means how do you trace them because they are not using their own phones?” she said.
Coker-Odusote spoke during an appearance on Channels Television, where she was asked to explain why criminals remain difficult to trace despite the mandatory NIN-SIM linkage policy.
She said criminals frequently frustrate investigations by using mobile phones belonging to their victims, instead of their own registered lines.
“We already know the NIN is the foundational identity for the security architecture, but a lot of the time, you find out the kidnappers use the phones of the people they have abducted. Which means, how do you trace them because they are not using their own phones?” she said.
She also suggested that some criminal elements involved in kidnapping operations may not even be captured in Nigeria’s identity database.
“There is a theory that it may be possible that these kidnappers are not Nigerians and are brought into the country 48 or 72 hours before a kidnapping takes place specifically for that purpose. I’m not insinuating anything, but if that were the case, they naturally would not be captured in our database,” she added.
The comments have revived questions about whether expectations placed on the NIN-SIM linkage have exceeded what the system was designed to deliver.
The NIN-SIM linkage exercise was introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with NIMC to strengthen identity management, eliminate anonymous SIM ownership and support national security.
Over the years, the exercise resulted in millions of subscribers linking their SIM cards with their National Identification Numbers, while telecom operators also deactivated millions of lines that failed to comply with regulatory directives.
Earlier, the NCC maintained that the policy was aimed at improving the integrity of Nigeria’s SIM registration database, strengthening identity verification and supporting security agencies in criminal investigations.
The regulator also described the exercise as an important component of the country’s digital economy and national security framework.
Telecommunications operators have consistently maintained that while they play a critical role in implementing the NIN-SIM linkage policy, they are not responsible for tracking criminals.
Quest Merchant Bank recently hosted the second edition of the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a high-performance workplace culture and advancing people-centric leadership practices.
The Study Mission serves as a collaborative learning platform that brings together Great Place to Work® Certified organizations to exchange insights, share best practices, and strengthen workplace cultures.
The event welcomed Human Resources leaders and representatives from FITC, Princeps Credit Systems, Tonic Technologies and Esentry Limited for an engaging and insightful session focused on building thriving workplace cultures, promoting continuous learning, and advancing employee-centric practices that drive organizational success.
Speaking at the event, Tolulope Dayo-Peters, Head of People Management, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in building sustainable workplace cultures.
“We are delighted to host the second edition of the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission. At Quest Merchant Bank, we believe building a great workplace is an ongoing journey rooted in trust, purposeful leadership, and a genuine commitment to our people.
“We are pleased to share the practices that have shaped our culture and look forward to more opportunities to learn and collaborate with like-minded organizations.”
Also speaking at the event, Afolabi Olorode, Acting Managing Director/CEO, Quest Merchant Bank Limited, highlighted the critical role workplace culture plays in driving long-term business success.
“We recognize that a strong workplace culture is fundamental to sustainable business success. Creating an environment where our people are empowered to grow, innovate, and perform at their best enables us to consistently deliver value to our clients and stakeholders. We are proud to support initiatives like the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission that encourage organizations to learn from one another and collectively raise the standard of workplace excellence in Nigeria.”
The Study Mission reinforced the importance of collaboration among organizations committed to creating exceptional employee experiences.
By providing a platform for open dialogue, peer learning, and the exchange of practical ideas, the initiative enabled participants to explore innovative approaches to employee engagement, organizational culture, leadership development, and talent management while strengthening a growing community of employers dedicated to workplace excellence.
Hosting the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission further strengthens Quest Merchant Bank’s position as a thought leader in workplace culture and talent management.
It also enhances the Bank’s employer brand and demonstrates its unwavering commitment to creating an environment where employees can grow, innovate, and achieve their full potential.
Quest Merchant Bank remains committed to championing initiatives that promote learning, innovation, and people-centric leadership. Through strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms such as the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission, the Bank continues to contribute to the advancement of exceptional workplace cultures and the future of work across Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has warned of possible floods in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.
According to information posted on NIHSA X handle, the Agency announced medium flood advisory in force for the next 7 days across Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other States.
“Localised inundation is forecast along the main channel; named communities below sit on the projected footprint. Stations: Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, Amber on the Amber river.
“Adamawa; Lemsa, Lamurde, Numan Exposure: 147 comm. 49 schis 40 hith 6 mkts17 relig. Bauchi-Bauchi, Ningi, Shira. Exposure: 4 comm. Kaduna; Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, +6 more. Exposure: 1 comm.
“Borno-Gubio, Mobbar. Exposure: 680 comm. 8 schls 6 hith 5 mkts 21 relig. Edo-Akoko-Ed, EtsakoEa, EtsakoWe, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmw, OviaNort, OviaSo.. Exposure: 3 comm.
“Imo-Aboh-Mba, Oguta, Ohaji/Eg, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri West. Exposure: 3 comm. 7 more states affected and severity LGAs”.
NIHSA advised people in the affected areas to “do NOT cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river-mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre-identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
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