Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo says the Nigeria Air project remains suspended.

Recall that the ministry of aviation, in 2023, under Hadi Sirika, former minister, unveiled Nigeria Air, three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The development had triggered concerns among stakeholders nationwide over the ownership deal which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49 percent equity stake.

The federal government had a 5 percent equity, while a consortium of three Nigerian investors had 46 percent.

Reacting to the deal in June 2023, the house of representatives asked the federal government to suspend the operations of Nigeria Air, describing it as ‘a fraud’.

In August 2023, Keyamo announced that the national carrier project was suspended till further notice.

Providing updates at the ministerial press briefing in Abuja to mark Tinubu’s one year in office, Keyamo said the project is still suspended.

“It remains suspended. It was never Air Nigeria. It was not Air Nigeria. That’s the truth. It was only painted Air Nigeria. It was Ethiopian Airlines trying to flag our flag,” he said.

“If it is so, why not allow our local people to fly our flag. Why bring a foreigner to fly our flag? So nobody should dispute that it was Air Nigeria.

“Air Nigeria must be indigenous, must be wholly Nigerian, and must be for the full benefits of Nigeria, not that 50 percent of the profit is for another country.”

Keyamo reiterated that the ownership structure of the suspended airline is not beneficial to the country.

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, passed away in an Egyptian hospital after surgery to remove a kidney stone.

The 61-year-old former EFCC chairman passed away on Saturday.

Lamorde’s death, according to a source at the anti-graft commission, was an ironic twist of fate because it happened as he was taking his wife to Egypt for medical attention.

The source said: “He actually took his wife to Egypt for medical attention when he decided to remove a kidney stone which had caused him some discomfort.

“He, however, died in the process of the procedure to remove the stone.

“His body will be brought to Nigeria on Monday for Janazza (Islamic burial rites). I think the Federal Government is assisting in the formalities to bring back his remains.”

The late Lamorde was born on December 20, 1962 at Mubi in Adamawa State.

He attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1984.

He joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1986 and became the substantive EFCC Chairman on February 15, 2012.

The late Lamorde was replaced by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari with AIG Ibrahim Magu (retd.) on November 9, 2015.

Also, the EFCC has described Lamorde’s death as a shock, saying its former chairman was a “focused and a gallant anti- graft fighter”.

In a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said: “Lamorde, the pioneer Director of Operations and the third substantive chairman of the EFCC between February 15, 2012 and November 9, 2015, served the nation actively as a focused and a gallant anti-graft fighter.

“He will be sorely missed both at the EFCC and the nation at large.”

Also, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, described the late Lamorde as a bright and consummate intelligence officer.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said Arase noted that the nation has lost one of its bright intelligence officers who contributed immensely to the growth of intelligence policing in the country.

He lauded Lamorde’s humility and temperate disposition to the allure of power.

“At no time did power get into the head of the late officer who remained humble and committed throughout his career,” Arase said.

Also, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) mourned the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun conveyed the sadness of the officers and men of the NPF over Lamorde’s passing in a statement yesterday in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

He lauded Lamorde’s unyielding commitment to justice and professional policing.

Also, a lawyer, Wahab Shittu (SAN), described the late Lamorde as a man who matched his action with few words.

“The departed was the ‘engine box’ who spoke sparingly but was polite, effective and efficient. Warm, unassuming and accessible, Lamorde worked seamlessly with Ribadu as if both were Siamese twins,” Shittu said.

In its usual tradition of putting smiles on the faces of families, St. Ives Hospitals on Sunday, May 26, 2024 hosted one of the most glamorous Children’s Day events in recent memories at the Parkland Amusement Centre, Maryland, Lagos.

The well packaged event had in attendance parents, guardians and members of staff who thronged the venue to give their children and wards at amazing Children’s Day celebration.

Themed ‘Our children, our superheroes’, the dress code for the party was ‘Princess & knight. The children had a great time of fun with some of the highlights of the day being bouncing castles, dancing competitions, poem recitations, chess, Jenga game and various train rides.

There was a lavish array of meals and drinks to pick from alongside small chops, popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy as well as party favors for all the kids present.

The St. Ives Children’s Day party is an annual event by the hospital aimed at celebrating the children and by extension the family.