NAIJAFEED

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Nigerian Government Threatens British Airways

Nigeria may force British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) to land at remote sites if Air Peace (P4) is not permitted to land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has written to his British counterpart about rejecting P4’s request for slots at LHR.

Due to LHR’s slot system, Nigeria’s flag carrier, P4, operates scheduled flights to London Gatwick (LGW). The airline is forced to use this airport as it cannot obtain slots at LHR.

Air Peace operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, including six Boeing 737s, four 737 NGs, four Boeing 777s, and 12 Embraer jets, according to airfleets.net.

Denial of Slots

In an official letter (dated August 1, 2024), addressed to Louise Haigh, the UK’s secretary of state for transportation, Keyamo threatened to reciprocate the treatment its airline is afforded in the UK. He said Nigeria would deny BA and VS their slots at Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV) airports if P4 were not awarded space at LHR.

A few weeks prior, the Minister had stated that Nigeria’s Federal Government would write to the United Kingdom to request permission for Nigerian carriers, specifically P4, to operate scheduled flights into and out of LHR.

In accordance with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), the Minister stated at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) seminar in LOS that Nigeria would no longer tolerate a situation in which its airlines are denied access to tier-one airports abroad.

Operating out of Gatwick

The Nigerian national carrier has not successfully obtained slots at LHR, which is closer to the center of London. Hence, it is forced to operate from and out of LGW airport, which is not a primary airport.

That said, some international airlines, including Air Mauritius, have shifted their operations to LGW as it offers added convenience for passengers traveling into London, compared to LHR.

By Lorne Philpot, Airways

Bandits kill 30 in Nigerian village

Last week, bandits attacked Ayati village in Benue State, Nigeria, slaughtering at least 30 civilians. While state officials haven’t officially determined any motive, the attack fits a disturbing pattern of persecution across northern Nigeria.

According to Greg Musselman of Voice of the Martyrs Canada, “Around Christmas [last year], 238, Christians were killed in 40 majority-Christian villages in [Nigeria] by Fulani militant herdsmen.”

This year, attacks have continued across Nigeria, even spreading beyond typical Fulani territory into southern parts of Nigeria – or beyond Nigeria’s borders altogether. “It’s becoming more and more of a situation where the violence is getting out of control [and] the government doesn’t seem to help protect [against] it.”

It’s not just the Fulani herdsmen; multiple groups are inflicting violent persecution against Christians. The Islamic State’s influence continues to move across country lines; Boko Haram seeks to make Nigeria an Islamic caliphate; and the Fulani herdsmen are using religious radicalism as an excuse to expand their territory.

Unfortunately, Christians and moderate Muslims make for vulnerable targets.

“Christians being infidels, they’re worthy of death,” Musselman says. “They’re finding that common ground there… Christians are often caught in the crosshairs, and in many cases, they’re the most vulnerable targets.”

But that’s not where this story ends.

“The church is growing in Nigeria in the midst of all the persecution,” Musselman says. “Even in the midst of all the bloodshed and all the pain and the hurt and all these things are going on, people are responding to the gospel.”

By Alex Anhalt, Mission Network News

Nigeria holds youth summit on national security after protests

The United Nations and Nigerian police Monday held a youth summit in the capital to commemorate International Youth Day and discuss the role of youths in national security intelligence.

The summit came days after Nigerian youths led nationwide protests calling for a reversal of government policies that they say cause severe hardships.

More than 400 delegates - including government officials, security agencies and youth representatives - cheered as the Nigerian police chief, Kayode Egbetokun, took the stage at the summit.

The one-day event with the theme "Enhancing the Nigerian Youth's Value for National Security Intelligence" was a partnership between the police and UNESCO and was part of the International Youth Day commemoration.

Authorities said the summit was designed to examine the role of youths in national security matters and create room to enhance youth participation.

"Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to our youths," Egbetokun told the gathering. "Together we must pledge to support, empower and create a brighter future for all. The task before us is indeed significant, but I am confident that with the collective strength, creativity and enthusiasm of our youth, coupled with the support of our partners, we'll rise up to the challenge and make a meaningful impact."

The summit featured interactive sessions between the police and youths on crime prevention, conflict resolution, social media and community engagement.

The summit followed recent protests in several cities, by mostly young people, over the spiraling cost of living.

The "Ten Days of Rage" protests began on August 1. Protesters blame Nigeria's worsening economic situation on government policies, including the scrapping of fuel subsidies introduced last year.

At the summit, police authorities said that while the protesters might have had good intentions, the protests gave rise to criminal elements with ulterior motives.

Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, president of UNESCO's Read and Earn Federation, said Nigeria's youth are a valuable asset.

“Our focus today is on youths recognizing themselves as change agents," he said. "It is imperative that our young people understand their potential to influence and drive positive change. They are the ones who can bridge the gap between innovative approaches to national security because of their familiarity with technology, social media and contemporary communication tools. This will strategically lead to more effective community policing, improve intelligence gathering and enhance crisis response.”

The protests ebbed earlier than scheduled because of security crackdowns, but Amnesty International said at least 22 protesters were killed, mostly in northern Nigeria.

On Saturday, Nigeria's minister of industry, trade and investment, Doris Nkiruka, said the country lost about $325 million per day during the protests.

Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a former professor and the co-founder of the RouQ and Company law firm, delivered a keynote address during the summit.

"There's a trust gap in terms of security agencies and the youth," he said. "When that protest was brewing and when it eventually happened, there were two forces at play — those with genuine grievances who wanted the nation to listen to them, and there where those who had mischievous purposes who wanted to use it for other agenda, and that is why this kind of conversation is very important."

Authorities at the summit pledged to improve youth participation in national security matters.

By Timothy Obiezu, VOA

Monday, August 12, 2024

Video - Hundreds gather for sacred Osun-Osogbo festival in Nigeria

Africa has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, kept alive in many ways, including through events that have a place in the calendar due to their cultural vibrancy. In Nigeria, the Osun-Osogbo Festival is a major annual celebration that has been practiced for centuries.

CGTN

Briton killed in Nigeria hostage release

A British hostage was killed in a military operation in Nigeria on Wednesday which released six other hostages, the Italian foreign ministry said.

Two kidnappers were killed and one Italian hostage was gravely wounded in the operation conducted by the Nigerian army, the ministry said.

The seven oil workers were captured on a ship off the Nigerian coast.

Reuters