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Cheers as Ethiopian Boeing 787 Airplane Lands in Enugu

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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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King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed

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King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.

“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.

A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”

Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”

“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”

Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.

A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.

All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.

“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.

“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”

Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.

We hope the king gets well soon.

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EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members

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Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.

A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.

Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.

The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.

In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.

the school fees documented payment

The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”

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Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing

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Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.

This incident happened as a result of the heavy rainfall which fell on Wednesday night. This led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.

Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.

While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.

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