Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo has renamed the state’s International Passenger and Cargo Airport after the late Chinua Achebe, a novelist, to immortalise him for making an indelible mark on the history of human civilisation.

Achebe a native of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Soludo said this on Sunday in Awka at the Independence Day parade, to mark Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary, describing Achebe as an example of Africa’s unsung hero.

“Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, gave the African literature an identity and a voice and he rightly reconstructed and refined the identify of the people,” he said.

The governor said that Achebe was not just an Anambra hero nor a Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero and yet largely unsung at home.

He said that henceforth, the state shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating its largely unsung heroes as motivation to children and youths.

“Unfortunately, some people wrongly think of legacies in terms of brick and mortar. Legacy is about impact on human life and human civilisation.

“Achebe was not a president or governor or military. He did not build bridges or roads or airports but he will outlive most presidents, governors and ministers in our minds.

“Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour him.

“After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.

“Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.

“Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status,” he said.

Soludo urged Nigerians to be intentional about making the project Nigeria work and believe in the potential greatness of the country.

“We have muddled through the past 63 years with squandered opportunities and yet with the promise of potential greatness

“No country or nation is a perfect. Every nation continues to struggle in its match to a more perfect union. The path to stability, growth and sustainability will be challenging as there are no quick fixes.

“But all of us must collectively think and work Nigeria out of the current challenges. We have no other country but Nigeria, and we must make it to work for everyone, “he said.

The governor said his administration was founded on the true progressive agenda and would continue to create the enabling environment for residents to thrive and survive.

The police, paramilitary organisations and students from different schools took part in the parade. (NAN)

Abiodun flags off Aviation Village construction

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Tuesday flagged off the construction of 200 units of two-bedroom expanded bungalows, at the Gateway Aviation Village, Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Jagunmolu Omoniyi, said the project would herald the creation of a new city in the town and serve the entire Remo cluster and the state in general.

He said the project was divided into two phases, with the first 100 units to be ready in six months.

According to the governor, the siting of the housing scheme would serve institutions and people who will make use of the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport.

Abiodun noted that government agencies like the Customs, the Nigerian Air Force and other corporate bodies had already indicated interest in the airport.

He said that the project would create jobs for about 5,000 artisans of various skills in the course of execution.

“This is the people’s project. This housing scheme will complement the airport and serve those who will work in this town.

“I can assure you that within two years, the story of this town will change. We will not engage outsiders to work in this estate, but the people of this town.

“We have done similar projects at Kemta, Idi-Aba and Kobape. The siting of similar housing estate has changed the landscape of Kobape, which was a village before, to a lively city,” he said.

The governor called on prospective buyers to start the process by obtaining their forms, charging the people to support and take ownership of the project for the development of the town.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government Area, Mr Segun Ogunleye, expressed gratitude to the governor, saying with the siting of the housing estate and the cargo airport, the development of the town was assured.(NAN)

The Nigeria Civil Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) has set up a joint committee to conduct holistic review and audit all fuelers, fueling facilities and equipment from initial source of fuel to point of fueling into aircraft.

Inaugurating the committee on Thursday in Abuna, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the NCAA Director-General, said that the committee would identify all the  causes of fuel contamination and proffer solutions.

Nuhu, who was represented by Capt.

Ibrahim Danbazau, the NCAA Director of Operations, License and Training, stated that the committee has 60 days to do the audit across the nation.

According to him, there have been serious incidents relating to fuel contamination, particularly Max Air fuel contamination in Yola.

Nuhu said that the issue created a negative publicity in the industry and a level of fear among the public which is justified.

He charged the committee to proffer recommendations that would improve level of safety in the aviation industry in Nigeria.

According to him, the committee has membership drawn from the NCAA, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Department of State Services (DSS).

Other agencies are Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Association of Fuel Marketers in Nigeria.

“”The Terms of Reference (TOR) has been clearly spelt out that would see the committee members tour all over the country to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.

“”At this junction, I want to sincerely appreciate the Presidency, the National Assembly and Development Partners for the unwavering support and keen interest shown.

“”The Presidency and the Minister have directed that this investigation must be brought to a logical conclusion in the interest of the Nigerian population,” he said.

He also enjoined the committee to take the national assignment with all seriousness making by recommendations that would help prevent future occurrence and also improve level of safety in the industry.

The NCAA boss said the authority and inspectors were working studiously to ensure that safety of air travel in Nigeria was not compromised.

He promised Nigerians that the recommendations from the committee would be fully implemented in the interest of the public and safe air travel in Nigeria.

He listed sisters agencies collaborating with NCAA to include Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that issue licences, and Department of State Security (DSS).

According to him, the collaboration with NMPDRA has helped to identify all non-licenced fuelers and those with expired licences in Nigeria that has led to suspension of all their activities in the airports in Nigeria.

He asserted that the Nigerian aviation industry skies were safe.

“”The authority has not been sleeping and has taken steps in the aftermath of the incidents which included the investigation of all the incidents that have been reported.

“NCAA is also collaboration with sister agencies in the aviation industry to realise its plan.

““Furthermore, an All Operators Letter (AOL) has been issued mandating all Operators to comply with all requirements for fueling as approved.

“The Authority has also heightened its surveillance to ensure complete and full compliance,” he stressed.