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Cheers as Ethiopian Boeing 787 Airplane Lands in Enugu
State promises continuous partnership with airline
It was a tremendous cheer yesterday as Ethiopian Airline’s latest passenger plane, Boeing 787, 900 series landed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The 350-passenger capacity aircraft flown by Captain Mulatu Abebe from Adis Ababa landed at the Enugu airport at about 11.30 am amid shout of joy from residents who gathered to welcome the flight. It was the first time the two-month old plane would land on the Nigerian soil.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was full of smile while receiving the crew and passengers that boarded the aircraft.
He said his administration would continue to partner with the airline to make its stay conducive in the state.
According to the governor, the target of the government is to ensure that more international flights come into the state. He said that since the airline started its operation in Enugu, more passengers had been trooping in to travel through the state.
“I want to place it on record that we are not resting in our bid to ensure that bigger aircraft operate the international route of this airport. It will increase the flow of passengers because Enugu is safe and secured.
“Today is a wonderful day, the first time such a plane is landing in Enugu State and capital of the southeast. Enugu State
government is happy that in this administration such a thing is happening. This is not the target, this is a small plane compared to what we are expecting to be landing in this airport. We expect bigger plans and more aircraft to be landing. I know Ethiopian Airline will say it is a competition, but no matter the number of plane landing here, we still have enough passengers because a lot of people want to travel from Enugu. It is more convenience for us instead of going through Abuja or Lagos,” Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Uwakwe Azikwe, said.
The Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, described the inaugural flight as a welcome development. He said the airline had reduced the sufferings of southeast travelers since it started operation in the state.
The cleric appealed to the Federal Government to complete the international wing of the airport and rehabilitate the local wing.
Chukwuma urged southeast and south-south businessmen to use the opportunity provided by the latest aircraft to boost their businesses.
He cautioned against acts that could compromise security and integrity of the airport.
The Ethiopian Airline’s Traffic and Sales Manager, Ato Biniam Addisu, said the company was operating in more than 100 destinations all over the world, and considered Nigeria as its second largest market.
(Guardian).
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Pensions and other Military Entitlements: Matawalle Commends President Tinubu for Prompt Payment
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, has expressed his gratitude to H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his decisive action in ensuring the prompt payment of military salary increase with three months arrears and also today’s release of funds for the payment of Pension and other owed entitlements of retired military Personnel
Dr. Matawalle confirmed that alerts regarding the three-month salary increase for military personnel have begun to be received.
The Minister commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears owed to retirees will continue to receive critical attention. This initiative reflects the President’s dedication to enhancing the living standards of those who have served the nation.
Furthermore, the Hon minister acknowledged the efforts and support of the Honourable Minister of finance and Coordinating minister of Economy Mr Wale Edun who was very committed in the actualization of these payments.
Dr. Matawalle urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them that President Tinubu is fully committed to boosting their morale and providing the necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria. “Despite initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr. President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the significant contributions of the Nigerian military in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality, the Minister reiterated the vital role that these brave men and women play in ensuring the nation’s security.
He assured the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed forces of President Tinubu’s unwavering resolve to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria, bolstered by the readiness and resilience of the military.
The Organised Labour in Enugu State has refuted the media reports that the new minimum wage was yet to be paid in the state, saying that the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage, which is above the N70,000 national minimum wage, commenced in November 2024.
The workers also said that they had no plan to go on strike since. They said that observed discrepancies in consequential adjustment in the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage had already been conveyed to Governor Peter Mbah and nursed no doubts that it would be addressed subsequently, as he had already earned workers’ trust by his commitment to their welfare since his assumption of office.
This was made known in a joint statement in the state capital on Tuesday by the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Enugu State Council, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo; Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Ben Asogwa; and the Chairman of the state’s Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Ezekiel Omeh.
The statement read, “The Orgaised Labour in Enugu State wishes to make clarifications in several media reports, which wrongly project Enugu among the states that are yet to pay the national minimum wage.
“We want to acknowledge the fact that the Enugu State Government paid the N80,000 minimum wage approved by the governor in the November 2024 salary.
“However, the minimum wage paid did not reflect the consequential adjustments inherent in minimum wage implementation.
“As labour leaders, we have already communicated to His Excellency the observed discrepancies and in his usual magnanimity to the welfare of workers, we strongly believe that he will address this subsequently.
“Our confidence in the governor remains intact, considering his usual dispositions to the wellbeing of workers.
“It is worthy of note that he continued to pay wage award of N25,000 he approved for workers from December 2023 till October 2024 when the new minimum wage of N80,000 was approved and consequently reflected in the November salary.
“We also recall his good faith in ensuring that local government employees were included from the onset in the new minimum wage of N80,000, having earlier upgraded them to full N30,000 minimum wage upon assumption of office after several years of waiting.
“Likewise, he approved the payment of the N1.9bn four-year accumulated leave allowances owed to teachers of public primary schools in the state and eight-month salary arrears valued at over N467m, which were also owed the academic, non-academic, and casual staff of the Enugu State College of Education Technical, ESCET, Enugu, before his assumption of office.
“Consequently, in the same culture, we trust him to address all the concerns regarding consequential adjustments in the implementation of N80,000 minimum wage.
“So, we have not gone on strike. We do not also contemplate or foresee any strike in the near future because there is no need for that yet.”
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Badaru on Operational Tour of 82 Division, other Military Installations in Enugu and Imo States
The Honourable Minister of Defence H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni is currently in Enugu on operational tour of 82 Division of Nigerian Army and other military platforms in Enugu.
He was received on arrival by the General officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army / Commander JTF SE of operation Udoka Major-General H.T Dada and other senior military officers.
The Minister is expected to meet with South East stakeholders on the way forward.
Details later…
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