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Nigeria Air: Airline Operators Hail suspension

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Following the suspension of Nigeria Air on Wednesday by the Federal Government, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have commended them for taking bold step to suspend the planned National Carrier Project in the interest of the nation.

 

The Chairman of AON, Capt. Nogie Meggisson, said that the move was in response to cries for reason put forward by the operators.

 

Meggisson said that the operators had continued to call for a rethink by the Federal Government regarding the project.

 

The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had on Wednesday announced that the Federal Government had decided to suspend the Air Project in the interim.

 

Meggisson said that suspension of the carrier was in the light of the tough economic situation in the country today and the fact that it was a moribund idea.

 

He said: “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for listening to our many calls for the suspension of the idea.

 

“In our opinion, we believe the process was neither transparent, nor did it clearly define the role of private investors in the entire process.

 

“At this time of our national limited resources and struggle to recover from recession, AON will like to state that there are private Nigerian airline investors ready to invest.

 

“They are already investing heavily in the sector and only asking for a more friendly operational environment and infrastructure support.”

 

According to him, putting the issue into perspective, setting up of National Carrier will cost Nigeria at least three billion dollars because a single B777 Aircraft as of today costs about 320 million dollars.

 

“Is it wise and our priority as a nation to take three billion dollars from the Nigerian coffers today and put into a venture that will for sure go down the drain within a maximum of five years to establish a `National Carrier’?

 

“This is bearing also in mind that the National Carrier will need an additional cash injection of 500 million dollars subsidy per year on average for the next 10 years to keep the airline afloat,” he added.

 

Meggisson noted that majority of Nigerian masses today were grappling for the basic necessities of life like food, shelter, electricity, water, education and good roads.

 

He said Nigeria had overtaken India as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty according to recent reports in the media.

 

The AON chairman said that the national carrier was only an idea driven by pride, because most airlines earlier owned by governments such as Lufthansa and British Airways had been privatised.

 

He said: “Just about 10 days ago, on Sept. 12, was a clear indication of what obtains in the true world.

 

“Boeing financed a private Nigerian airline, Air Peace, for purchase of 10 Boeing 737-8MAX airplanes in a deal valued at 1.5 billion dollars.

 

“This is much more than the Nigeria National Carrier and a clear indication of the future and where the world is today.”

 

Meggisson maintained that Nigeria needed strong private airlines allowed to operate in a friendly operational environment with a level playing field and policies that ensure their survival.

 

“Nigeria is a natural Hub for Africa. However, airlines don’t make a hub; but it is world-class infrastructure that makes a hub. Then, the airlines and airplanes will come in.

 

“Government should go back to the drawing board and engage the private sector with transparency on how to position Nigeria as the hub for Africa to take advantage of our God-given gift of geographical location,” he said.

 

Meggisson said that this would make aviation a major economic contributor to the Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (Product) and a serious replacement of the country’s dependence on oil alone.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

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Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has denied reports that the federal government has introduced a new tax on vehicles.

NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

The clarification follows the circulation of a viral message online claiming that all vehicle owners would be required to start paying a new tax from July 1, 2026.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NRS said the information in the message is false and did not come from the agency or any official government institution.Nigeria Travel Guides

According to Dare Adekanmbi, spokesperson for the NRS, the viral message was designed to mislead the public. He explained that it was made to look genuine by using official government logos and formatting.

The message reportedly instructed owners of private, commercial, and corporate vehicles to pay an unspecified fee either online or through approved banks and agencies. It also included a website that was wrongly presented as an official government platform.

Adekanmbi stressed that the website mentioned is not connected to the government and warned Nigerians not to make any payments based on such information.

He said the NRS has not introduced any new vehicle tax and that any official policy or tax change would be properly announced through verified government channels.

The agency urged citizens to ignore the fake message and avoid falling victim to possible fraud. It also advised Nigerians to always confirm such information through trusted and official sources before taking any action.

The NRS further encouraged the public to follow its official communication platforms to stay informed about genuine tax policies, updates, and government directives.

 


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NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

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National Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed that piracy remains a major threat to the nation’s creative economy, vowing to intensify its nationwide crackdown on illicit networks to protect intellectual property.

NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

Pic credit…soundcloud.com

Dr. John Asein, director-general of the NCC, disclosed this in a statement to mark the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day.

The commission noted that piracy remains a major threat, undermining legitimate enterprise and eroding the economic value of creative works.

Asein lamented that inadequate distribution systems and limited access to books also constrain the growth of readership.

He described the event as an important occasion, which showcased the enduring value of books as foundations of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development.

He described the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Read Books, Respect Copyright,’ as a call on Nigerians to embrace reading as a lifelong habit, while recognising that respect for copyright is essential to sustaining creativity and rewarding authors.

The commission noted that Nigeria’s book industry has evolved significantly, from the post-independence emergence of indigenous publishing to today’s digitally driven ecosystem.

“Nigerian authors continue to gain global recognition, while publishers are expanding capacity. However, challenges persist,” he said.

The commission commended the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, describing it as a bold step toward repositioning intellectual property as a driver of economic transformation.

The policy, according to him, provides a roadmap for revamping the book sector for the benefit of authors and publishers, and is accessible at ippolicy.ng.

The NCC also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive access through the Marrakesh Treaty, as reflected in the Copyright Act, 2022, enabling accessible formats such as Braille and audio texts.

It urged Nigerians to respect copyright and purchase books only from authorised sources.


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Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

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Fusewall Holdings, founded by Azeez Amida, has announced the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Coloplus Worldwide Service Limited, in a move aimed at strengthening its position in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure space.

Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

Fusewall Holdings

The deal marks a significant milestone in Fusewall’s broader strategy to build an integrated and future-ready platform across key sectors, particularly within the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.

The transaction was led by Amida, whose role in structuring and executing the deal was described as pivotal. According to the company, his leadership helped align stakeholders and navigate complex negotiations to ensure a successful close while positioning the business for long-term growth.

A spokesperson for Fusewall Holdings said the acquisition represents “a deliberate step forward” in the company’s expansion strategy, noting that the focus remains on building platforms that combine operational efficiency, resilience, and scale.

Coloplus brings a substantial operational footprint to the deal, including access to about 900 partner locations and roughly 20 owned sites. This combination of reach and infrastructure control is expected to give Fusewall a strategic advantage as it scales operations nationwide.

Fusewall said it plans to deploy capital, strengthen governance structures, and enhance operational execution as part of the integration process. The move is expected to improve service delivery, boost infrastructure reliability, and support expansion into underserved and high-demand areas.

The acquisition also aligns with the company’s broader ambition to help bridge Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure gap by expanding connectivity, improving network resilience, and advancing digital inclusion.

Fusewall Holdings said the deal reflects its commitment to disciplined execution and long-term value creation as it continues to grow its footprint in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.


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