In Reciprocal Action, FG Reduces Emirates Flights to Once Weekly Chinedu Eze In a move signalling reciprocity of action, Nigeria’s government, yesterday reduced Emirates flight to the country, both Lagos and Abuja, from daily to once weekly which would be only on Thursdays. The action followed the
decision of the government of the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) to cut Nigeria’s Air Peace flight operations to Sharjah to once a week. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced the decision of the government in a letter titled: “Withdrawal of Ministerial Approval of Emirates
Airlines Winter Schedule, dated December 9, 2021 and addressed to the Country Manager, Emirates Airlines Nigeria.” The letter signed by the Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu read: “I wish to inform you of the withdrawal of the approval granted to Emirates Airlines winter schedule.
This approval was conveyed via a letter with reference number FMA/ATMD/501/C.104/ XV/536 dated 1st December 2021 at 2300Z. “Please, kindly note, henceforth Emirates Airlines is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays. Please be
guided accordingly.” Emirates, last Sunday, operated flights to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to kick off its return to daily flights to the two Nigerian cities. On the other hand, a letter seen by THISDAY that was
addressed to Air Peace on the matter stated: “Greetings from Sharjah Airport. This has reference to your earlier request that we have received from your side to resume scheduled operations into Sharjah Airport for the winter Continued on page 47
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Buhari: Akande Was Victim of Obasanjo's Diabolical Political Double-cross Describes APC chieftain as man of inflexible integrity he can follow to the jungle Author, a selfless leader, says Tinubu Sanwo-Olu, Onu others extol his virtues
Segun James in Lagos and Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari
yesterday reminisced on the failed bid by former Governor Bisi Akande to seek re-election in Osun State in 2003, and laid the
blame squarely on the doorstep of the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He also described Akande who
served as the pioneer National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a man of inflexible integrity and
a perfect public officer that he can follow to the jungle. The president who spoke in Lagos, at the public presentation
of ‘‘My Participations,” the autobiography of Chief Bisi Continued on page 8
Akande: Buhari Promised to Pick Tinubu as Running Mate in 2015, Then Reneged Chronicles how Osinbajo eventually emerged Former gov attacks Adebanjo, Falae, others Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Former Governor of Osun state and ex-interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday narrated how Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as he then was, the presidential candidate of the party at the time, promised to pick Bola Tinubu as his running mate in the 2015 election. Chronicling the events that led to the eventual selection of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Akande, in his autobiography, “My Participations”, published by Gaskia Media Limited, disclosed how Buhari who was then under pressure to drop the former Lagos governor, later reneged on the agreement. In the book which was launched in Lagos, the octogenarian also took a swipe at the trio of Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae and Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, coming short of accusing Continued on page 8
UNVEILING AKANDE'S PARTICIPATION... L-R: Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan; former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; President Muhammadu Buhari; the celebrant and former interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande and APC National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the public presentation of Chief Akande’s Autobiography titled: “My Participations”, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos... yesterday
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