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Joint Aviation Unions Insist on Technocrat as Minister

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Stella Oduah, former minister of Aviation
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Worried by underground moves by some industry players to thwart its proposal for the appointment of a technocrat as the next aviation minister, joint aviation unions and associations, yesterday, insisted on its agitation for the appointment of a technocrat as minister of aviation.

The aviation unions comprising : Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria( ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE ), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ( NAAPE), National Association of Air Traffic Controllers ( NATCA), National  Air Traffic Association of  Nigeria  ( NACAN), Nigeria Professional Pilots , Aviation Roundtable and the Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), said that their position that an industry technocrat  be appointed  the next aviation minister has not changed .

According to Captain Nogie Meggison, convener of the stakeholders meeting,  it is constrained to restate this position on account of feelers emanating from some circles that some persons are capitalizing on the open letter sent to President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint a technocrat as minister to lobby for themselves .

He said it has come to the notice of stakeholders that some persons were using some experts to make case for themselves as against the collective position.

Meggison said as much as stakeholders have resolved that a technocrat should be appointed as aviation minister, but not some industry players or head of aviation agencies that have misled previous aviation ministers, who are using their positions to lobby for the position of aviation minister, without the requisite capacity and track record for the position.

Meggison said “one of the major reasons why industry players need a technocrat as the next aviation minister is to rescue the industry from its current state, where certain self centered  elements without pedigree and track record want to continue to hijack the industry .

“ A clear situation is where the industry finds itself today where such people are now in Abuja lobbying to be the next minister of aviation. The appointment of a technocrat will be able see through their selfish motives to enable him or her decipher the grain from the chaff” he added
He said such opportunists and industry sycophants in the past set “banana   peel “on the paths of previous aviation ministers to pave the way for their failure.

He said the industry has some seasoned industry technocrats not limited to the following: Captain Dapo Olumide,former managing director of Air Nigeria; and deputy managing director, Aerocontractors , and is currently financial consultant with African Finance Corporation.

Captain Kiddy Dare, former logistics director ExxonMobil, and former director of operations at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Captain Ibrahim Seidu , managing director , Kabo Air, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia , rector, Mish Aviation Flying School, Acccra, he is also managing director of Westlink Airlines.

Captain Adebayo Araba, former rector, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Engineer Folashade Odutola, also former rector at NCAT, ex- director of airworthiness standards, NCAA, as well as Nigeria’s representative in ICAO.

Meggison said there are other competent technocrats with track record to move aviation industry to the next level.

Some of the industry players lobbying for the position, he said do not have the track record to move the aviation sector to the next level.

Meanwhile, Captain Dele Ore, president of Aviation Roundtable,  has also warned against the use of the open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan as an avenue by some self-seeking experts to advance their selfish desire to lobby for the position of aviation minister.

“Now that aviation has a supervising minister he should be allowed to clear the mess left behind at the Ministry of Aviation by Princess Stella Oduah.

The so called aviation professionals clamouring to be appointed to replace her are being sponsored to cover the tracks of our dear Princess Stella.

Documents being brandished as the industry clamour were fraudulently being used for this ulterior motive because at no time have we got to a stage where names are being suggested.

The same so called professionals that are now agitating to be considered to replace Princess Stella are those that misadvised her and are being sponsored for the “BIG COVER-UP” that needs urgent probes, re-organization of the ministry and some agencies under the Ministry of Aviation.

It will be recalled that my good self as President of Aviation Round Table with our Secretary General Mr. Sam Owolabi Akerele at very short notice honoured an invitation to be at an urgent meeting initiated by Capt. Noggie Meggison on Saturday 8th Feb 2014 to discuss the industry need for a professional to be appointed as minister of aviation.

Aviation Round Table respect institutions and not personalities. Therefore if the chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) invited us for any reasons we always accorded them respect to attend more so that we tried to attend so that we tried to play mediatory role when they became fractionized.


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Shareholders of MTN Nigeria Okay N152Bn Fintech Restructuring

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Shareholders of MTN Nigeria have approved a major restructuring of the company’s digital financial services arm, clearing the way for a N152.06 billion transaction that will see the telecom giant relinquish majority control of its fintech subsidiaries.

Shareholders of MTN Nigeria Okay N152Bn Fintech Restructuring

The approval, granted at the company’s Annual General Meeting on April 30, endorses Resolution 9, which transfers a 60 per cent stake in MoMo Payment Service Bank Limited and Y’ello Digital Financial Services Limited to MTN Group Fintech B.V.

Under the arrangement, the group’s fintech arm will inject fresh capital into the businesses while also acquiring shares from MTN Nigeria through a hybrid structure combining primary and secondary investments.

Following the transaction, both parties will consolidate their interests into a newly created holding company to be registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria, a move designed to streamline oversight and position the fintech operations for future investment.

The restructuring marks a significant shift in MTN Nigeria’s strategy, effectively transferring a larger share of the financial and operational responsibility for the fintech business to the parent company, while allowing the local entity to refocus on its core telecommunications operations.

Industry observers say the move aligns with the broader “Ambition 2030” roadmap of the MTN Group, which prioritises scaling digital and financial services across its markets.

The company acknowledged that its fintech subsidiaries are currently loss-making, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of building digital payment platforms.

By reducing its direct exposure, MTN Nigeria is expected to free up resources to strengthen its connectivity infrastructure, while the fintech arm gains the financial backing required to accelerate expansion.

The planned holding company structure is also expected to enhance investment flexibility, enabling the business to attract strategic partners and scale operations in areas such as rural penetration, merchant acquisition and digital payments.


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Guinness Nigeria Celebrates 76 Years of Brewing Greatness

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Guinness Nigeria Plc is set to mark 76 years of operations on April 29, a milestone for one of the country’s most enduring corporate institutions and widely regarded as Nigeria’s foremost total beverage alcohol business.

Established in 1950 and with its first brewery commissioned in Ikeja in 1962, Guinness Nigeria holds a distinct place in industrial history as the first Guinness brewery built outside Ireland and the United Kingdom. What began as an imported stout has evolved into a deeply rooted local enterprise, growing alongside the country through decades of change, expansion, and reinvention.

From its early years to its listing on the Nigerian Exchange in 1965, the company steadily expanded its footprint, building a nationwide network of brewing and distribution operations, alongside a diversified portfolio that reflects both heritage and shifting consumer tastes.

Guinness Stout remains its most iconic brand, long associated with depth and character, while Malta Guinness has become a household staple across generations. Complementing these are spirits and contemporary offerings including  Orijin, Gordon’s, Don Royale and Smirnoff, each firmly embedded within Nigeria’s evolving consumer culture.

Today, Nigeria ranks among the most important markets for Guinness globally, underscoring a relationship that extends well beyond consumption into culture, identity, and shared moments of celebration.

This connection has been reinforced by a long-standing commitment to social impact. As far back as 1962, the company established the Guinness Eye Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, setting a precedent for healthcare interventions that continues today with a second eye centre in Onitsha. Its Water of Life initiative continues to deliver clean water to underserved communities, while sustained campaigns around responsible drinking and road safety reflect an ongoing commitment to societal well-being.

These efforts have shaped Guinness Nigeria’s identity, not just as a manufacturer, but as an active and consistent partner in the development of its host communities.

This interplay between enterprise and impact has been central to the company’s longevity, enabling it to remain both relevant and trusted, even as it evolves.

The 76th anniversary comes at a moment of renewed financial strength and transformation, following a return to profitability and the restoration of shareholder payouts after an extended period of consolidation.

Managing Director and CEO, Girish Sharma, described the milestone as the result of decades of deliberate choices. “In Nigeria, Guinness is part of the national story. The progress we have made reflects discipline, continuity, and a commitment to remaining a business that Nigerians trust, while growing in step with the communities around us,” he said.

Looking ahead, the company’s ambition is captured in its ‘Build for More’ agenda to become Nigeria’s premier and most celebrated total beverage alcohol company by the end of the decade. With a modernised portfolio, a strengthened balance sheet, and a sharper understanding of evolving consumer needs, that ambition is already in motion.

The mission, however, remains simple: to help Nigerians celebrate life, every day, everywhere.


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Glo Commends Nigerian Workers on May Day

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Digital solutions powerhouse, Globacom, has paid tribute to Nigerian workers, whose steadfast industry and enduring commitment continue to propel NIgeria’s march towards development.

As the world observes the 2026 International Workers’ Day, the company acknowledged the indispensable role of labour as the unseen engine that keeps the machinery of national advancement in measured, purposeful motion.

Globacom, in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, appreciated the role of labour in oiling Nigeria’s wheel of development and also affirmed their importance in the progress of the country.

Glo urged employees across both public and private sectors to remain resolute in their pursuit of excellence, emphasizing that the collective discipline of the workforce is central to realizing Nigeria’s aspirations for sustainable growth and prosperity.

“We encourage all workers not to relent in their noble task of advancing the nation through conscientious service and professional dedication,” the statement affirmed.

The International Workers’ Day, commemorated annually on 1 May, celebrates the dignity of labour and the enduring significance of workers in shaping the fortunes of societies across the world.

 

 


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