Chris Najomo, acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), issued a statement clarifying the situation.

Najomo explained that while Nigeria was granted Category One status under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program in 2010, it was re-evaluated and passed the US Federal Aviation Administration’s assessments in 2014 and 2017.

However, Nigeria was de-listed in 2022 due to failure to meet certain permit requirements.

He emphasized that this de-listing does not indicate any safety or security deficiencies within Nigeria’s oversight system, noting that comprehensive ICAO Safety and Security Audits have found no Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC).

Najomo also pointed out that Nigerian operators can still access US markets through aircraft wet-leased from countries with current Category One status.

The statement clarified that the inability of Nigerian airlines to meet specific requirements for direct service to the US led to the de-listing, not issues related to safety or security.

It reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to adhering to international safety and security standards while respecting national sovereignty over airspace.

This appeal was made during a visit by UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Amina Mohammed to Abuja, where she engaged with key stakeholders in agriculture and food security.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari welcomed Dr. Mohammed, emphasizing the critical role of the UN in Nigeria’s development.

He expressed enthusiasm for discussing the ongoing partnership with the UN, which supports Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and future strategies.

Kyari highlighted the urgency of this partnership due to Nigeria’s large population and increasing food security needs. He stressed that collaboration with the UN is vital for addressing both immediate and long-term consumption demands.

The minister also noted the alignment of the ministry’s goals with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, focusing on food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. He acknowledged Nigeria’s historical cooperation with various UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which have yielded significant results.

Nigeria’s commitment is further evidenced by its financial contributions to these organizations, aimed at boosting food production and supporting multilateral initiatives to enhance the resilience of the Nigerian food system.

The ministry is particularly seeking additional support for key initiatives such as the Value Chain Development Programme and the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project – Niger Delta, which focus on increasing food production and improving rural livelihoods.

The Minister expressed hope that Dr. Mohammed’s visit would usher in a new phase of strengthened cooperation and innovative solutions for sustainable development in Nigeria.

The policy, announced by Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, mandates that individuals under 18 years old will be barred from participating in National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

Mamman stated that WAEC and NECO have been directed to enforce this 18-year age requirement for exam candidates.

In a response posted on X, Atiku criticized the policy as outdated and detrimental to educational progress in Nigeria.

He argued that the policy represents a regressive step for the country’s educational system and reflects poorly on the current government’s approach to education.

Atiku’s statement read, “Tinubu’s policy on age limits for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages. This policy is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.

It contradicts the principles of federalism and highlights the government’s lack of direction.”

He further noted that the Nigerian constitution allows sub-national governments more authority over education matters, making the federal government’s decree-like action unconstitutional.

Atiku also criticized the government’s failure to address the needs of exceptionally gifted students, deeming it an embarrassment to Nigeria’s intellectual community.

“The best global practices involve allowing regional governments to establish education policies,” Atiku added. “This controversial policy should be universally condemned by anyone who values intellectual freedom and accessibility.”

Yusuf Kailani, Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, made these remarks during a high-level dialogue on flood impact in Abuja on Wednesday.

Kailani emphasized that President Tinubu is deeply concerned about climate change and is spearheading efforts to address its impacts. He noted that experts are being engaged to ensure the success of these initiatives and highlighted the importance of partnerships with relevant stakeholders to meet the country’s climate objectives.

“Governance is an ongoing endeavor, and the government cannot achieve these goals alone. As Nigeria prepares for COP29, numerous activities are in progress to demonstrate the country’s advancements on the global stage,” Kailani said.

Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary of HEDA Resource Centre, also addressed the reality of climate change, pointing out that rural communities and vulnerable farmers are the most affected in Nigeria.

He warned that climate change threatens the nation’s food and national security but assured that increased information and knowledge could enhance resilience.

Arigbabu stressed the importance of early warning systems provided by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency in mitigating climate impacts.

Education Minister Tahir Mamman announced this policy during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Mamman also revealed that the Federal Government has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to prevent underage children from sitting for their examinations.

Starting from next year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will enforce the age requirement for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This year, a transitional allowance will be made for younger applicants, but strict adherence to the 18-year age rule will begin in the next academic cycle.

Mamman clarified that this policy is not new but a reinforcement of existing regulations, noting that students typically complete their education by age 17 and a half.

Additionally, WAEC and NECO will no longer permit underage candidates to take their exams, ensuring that only students who have completed the required number of years at each educational level are eligible.

This call came as officials underscored the importance of grassroots security initiatives and the welfare of police officers in maintaining national security.

At a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Umuahia on Thursday, themed “Community Policing: Building A Safer Nigeria Together,” Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted ongoing federal efforts to improve police welfare through a six-point framework designed to strengthen the force.

She emphasized the need for public cooperation in security responsibilities and outlined plans for upgrading police infrastructure, including barracks and training schools.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also praised Abia State for its security measures and the efforts of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state.

The meeting aimed to foster transparent dialogue between the Ministry of Police Affairs and citizens, detailing current and upcoming reforms within the Nigeria Police.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti reinforced the collective responsibility for security, noting his administration’s support for the police and other security agencies.

Additionally, the Minister commissioned a new Police Clinic and a school for police officers’ children in Umuahia.

A statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service, DCI Kenneth Udo, says the increment is a part of the government’s efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.

He said that based on the review, a 32-page Passport booklet with 5-year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while a 64-page Passport booklet with 10-year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only.

The statement further adds that the fees remain unchanged for Nigerians in Diaspora.

While expressing regrets about any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants; the NIS assured Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times.

Sources within ASUU’s National Executive Council confirmed the development following a meeting at the University of Ibadan, The Punch reports.

The notice will be forwarded to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education.

“This is not an ultimatum but a strike notice,” explained an ASUU source.

“We are providing a 21-day notice in accordance with labor laws to ensure our actions are legally compliant.”

ASUU’s move comes amid unresolved issues with the federal government, including the non-implementation of prior agreements.

Despite a June 26 meeting with Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman to address these issues and prevent a strike, the union reports that agreements remain unmet.

ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke highlighted ongoing grievances, such as the unmet 2009 renegotiated agreements and accumulated academic allowances over six years.

The union also criticized the lack of progress on revitalisation funds, with only one payment made since 2013, and expressed concerns over the proliferation of poorly funded new universities.

The delivery, made by Jet Motor Company under the Presidential CNG Initiative, was announced via the official X handle on Thursday.

The buses were handed over to a team from the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Presidential Initiative on CNG (Pi-CNG) at Jet Motor’s manufacturing plant in Ajah, Lagos State.

In his national broadcast during the #EndBadGovernance protests, President Bola Tinubu highlighted the need to shift from Nigeria’s heavy reliance on oil to utilizing its gas resources more effectively.

He explained that his administration had invested in CNG as part of efforts to reduce fuel subsidies and reallocate resources towards healthcare and education.

Tinubu also outlined plans to distribute one million low-cost or free conversion kits to commercial vehicles, aiming to cut transportation costs by approximately 60% and help control inflation.

The initiative includes setting up conversion centers across the country in collaboration with the private sector.