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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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NITDA Reacts as Firm Petitions over Deployment of Fake PCs

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National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting indigenous technology operators, dismissing allegations that it encouraged the deployment of fake locally made personal computers.

NITDA Reacts as Firm Petitions over Deployment of Fake PCs

Responding to accusations from the Certified Computer Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON) regarding the alleged spread of counterfeit locally produced PCs, NITDA stressed that it limits government IT contract registration to firms with at least 51 percent Nigerian ownership.

The agency stressed that it aligns with the Federal Executive Council–approved “Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy” of May 2025, which prioritises Nigerian-made goods and mandates foreign procurements only when no local alternative exists.

NITDA said it is also investing in talent development through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), supporting startups, SMEs, and training public servants to meet global standards.

Addressing the “SpeedStar PC saga,” NITDA clarified that the project in question dates back to 2019, and any hardware faults after six years of use cannot be attributed to the agency.

Meanwhile, Beta Computers makers of the SpeedStar PC and a founding member of CCMON has petitioned the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy over the alleged deployment of counterfeit SpeedStar units by NITDA contractors.

In an April 3, 2025 petition, Will Anyaegbunam, managing director, Beta Computers’  accused certain contractors of sabotaging presidential directives on patronising locally made computers.

He claimed that despite repeated requests since August 2024, NITDA has refused to reveal the identity of the contractor linked to counterfeit SpeedStars supplied to an institution in northern Nigeria.

Anyaegbunam further alleged possible collusion within the agency and vowed to pursue legal action to protect the brand’s equity, which has been trademarked since 1996.

Beta Computers has also filed a Freedom of Information request to obtain the names of all contractors who supplied SpeedStar PCs to Gombe State University and other institutions since 2019.

 

 

 


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Airtel Nigeria Launches ‘Airtel Assist’ on WhatsApp

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Airtel Nigeria has taken another bold step in its digital transformation and quality of service drive with the launch of Airtel Assist, a WhatsApp-based self-service chatbot designed to offer real-time support to millions of the network’s customers.

Built to meet the growing needs of today’s digital consumer, Airtel Assist provides round the clock full-service experience that allows customers to check balances, buy airtime or data, make secure payments, troubleshoot issues, and access personalised assistance all from the convenience of WhatsApp.

At the core of this innovation is Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to putting people first, ensuring customer experiences are faster, more intuitive, and deeply personalised.

Speaking on the launch, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, said, “This is Airtel meeting Nigerians exactly where they are, on platforms they trust and use every day.

With Airtel Assist, we are adapting technology at the personal level. It’s fast, secure, and always available, designed to serve real people with real needs, in real time. As a company with a constant focus on customer satisfaction, this is one of the ways we make customer care more accessible.”

The new chatbot highlights Airtel’s continued integration of AI-powered tools to scale service delivery, reduce wait times, and maintain secure customer interactions, solidifying its position as a customer-first, innovation-led brand in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.

It also demonstrates the company’s clear ambition to lead innovation in Nigeria’s telecom sector by adopting tools that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.

To emphasize this perspective, Ismail Adeshina, Director of Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, noted that Airtel Assist was developed with both convenience and empathy in mind.

Ismail said, “Everything about Airtel Assist is designed to simplify and enhance the way our customers engage with us. Whether it’s to check data balance in the middle of a conversation, buying data while commuting, or resolving issues after hours, Airtel Assist is always available, right there on their phones.”

Meanwhile, the product’s intuitive design and ease of use is a demonstration of adaptive technology, adapted for the nuances of local consumers, added Oyebowale Akideinde, Head of Digital Products & Innovation.

“With Airtel Assist, we’re unlocking a human way to connect on one of Nigeria’s favourite digital platforms: WhatsApp! You can now recharge, check balances, and get help instantly,” he said. He also noted that all Airtel subscribers may activate Airtel Assist by sending a WhatsApp message to +2348028800000 or clicking https://wa.me/2348028800000.

By bridging the gap between digital sophistication and everyday convenience, Airtel Nigeria is setting a new benchmark in customer care, one that puts the power of self-service, choice, and real-time resolution into the hands of every user.


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Cyber Attack Hits Customs Platform, Disrupts Clearance Operations

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Reported cyber attack on the Information Communication Technology (ICT) platform of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has caused significant disruptions to cargo clearance operations at ports across the country.

Cyber Attack Hits Customs Platform, Disrupts Clearance Operations

Licensed Customs agents are already counting their losses to demurrage charges on their consignments as a result of the disruption.

Confirming the development, Mr. Maiwada Abdullahi, spokesman and assistant comptroller of Customs, told Vanguard that the attack occurred sometime ago, adding however, that the system has been restored.

He stated: “Yes, our platform was attacked some time ago, but it has been rectified and is now fully operational. We have strengthened our systems to ensure that cybercriminals will find it much more difficult to penetrate in the future.”

Regarding potential compensation, Abdullahi disclosed that discussions are ongoing with several stakeholders on the matter and hinted at possible relief measures for importers whose goods were delayed during the system outage.

Reacting to the development, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, president, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, (NCMDLCA), said that there is a default in the new B’Odogwu home grown ICT platform being promoted by the Customs.

Amiwero also said that the same glitch being experienced also occurred before the B’Odogwu initiative.

He, however, lampooned the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA), for their docile stand against happenings at the Port.

He stated: “The government needs to overhaul the newly introduced B’Odogwu ICT platform, there are defects that needs to be corrected.

“The same defects that was experienced during the era of West Blue before Ngozi Okonjo Eweala who was the Finance Minister at that time intervened, is the same issue currently affecting the B’Odogwu system.

“The glitch has resulted to huge demurrage, huge storage charges, distortion in business plan and high cost of clearance.

“Manufacturers Association, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) are all there doing nothing. They cannot even react to the situation. All they do is to hold conferences.

“These groups ought to be at the Vanguard of protest against these anomalies rocking the port industry but they chose to keep quiet as if all is well.”

Similarly, Mr. Olawale Odu, an importer and licensed Customs agent, said that the government through the Nigeria Customs Service should engage terminal operators and shipping companies to find a way to assuage the losses to importers by granting them waivers.

 

 


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