Nigerian pilot, Ademilola Odujinrin, makes history as first African to fly the world solo

A Nigerian pilot who works for Air Djibouti has become the first African pilot in history to fly solo around the world.
Ademilola “Lola” Odujinrin completed the final leg of his historic journey Wednesday afternoon, landing safely at Washington Dulles International Airport.
The pilot has completed the entire circumnavigation in a Cirrus SR22, stopping in more than 15 countries on five continents, returning to Washington DC, where his journey began back in September.


The flight is part of Project Transcend, a foundation which aims to inspire young people to achieve their goals, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Ademilola says: “Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of one day flying around the world. We have a responsibility to lead by example and follow our dreams. I want African children to think: ‘I can do this too!'”
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Air Djibouti’s Chairman, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, and Cardiff Aviation’s Chairman, Bruce Dickinson, who have supported me throughout this journey. Without them, this would not have been possible.”

Both formed part of a high-level delegation to welcome the historic aviator on the tarmac at Dulles Airport, including: the Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States, His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh; Senior Director of Strategic Planning for Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority, Mr. Dawit Michael Gebre-ab; and Chief Operating Officer of Air Djibouti, Mr. Moussa Houssein.

Other distinguished guests included the CEO Africa World Press, which plans to publish a book on the journey.
Ademilola has logged over 4,000 hours as a commercial Boeing 737 pilot since earning his pilot licence six years ago.
The Chairman of Air Djibouti, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, says: “By supporting initiatives like Lola’s flight around the world, Air Djibouti hopes to inspire a new generation of pilots in Africa and help to pave the way for the aviation industry to thrive in the region.

“The benefits will be felt within the region, as this will encourage more intra-African trade and sustainable economic development.
“With the commencement of the Single African Air Transport Market set for June 2017, air travel in the continent is positioned to grow rapidly and become a key contributor to the region’s economic and social development.”

Globally, the aviation industry represents a massive opportunity for African economies to play a larger role.
It is estimated that 2017 alone will see approximately four billion airline passengers worldwide, as well as over 50 million tonnes of cargo being transported by air.

Work begins on Abuja Airport runway

Repair work started yesterday at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
A Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) official confirmed to NE that markings had been done on the runway to indicate that “it was closed”.
“They are also doing a survey of the runway.The makings will indicate to air flyers that the runway is closed and they cannot land here.So, that is the beginning of the work,” the official added.
Another official and FAAN’s International Terminal Manager Mrs. Hajara Musa said work started on Wednesday after the management handed over the runway to the contractors.
However, passengers heading to Benin, Ibadan and other destination on various flights were screened at the Abuja airport before they were conveyed to Kaduna.


As at the time journalists visited the airport, FAAN officials were directing passengers to their buses.
Before passengers gained access to the buses, they were made to fill their names, signature and the airline they were following in a register book, which was placed at the entry point of the airport.
But the Kaduna International Airport was agog yesterday with activities.
Five domestic carriers – Air Peace, DANA Air, Aero, Arik Air and Medview Airlines – operated flights from Lagos.
The carriers operated their scheduled flights on the route following the closure of the Abuja Airport.
Amid tight security, scores of passengers expressed excitement over the use of Kaduna Airport for the flights.
As early as 8.00 am, flights from Lagos started landing at the Kaduna Airport.


Apart from the ground handling firm Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), aviation fuel suppliers – Conoil, So Aviation – and other ancillary services providers were on ground to facilitate smooth flight operations.

Besides scheduled carriers, charter operators were also at Kaduna Airport to facilitate smooth operations.
Airport security, aerodrome safety and fire-fighters were also at work to ensure smooth operations.

The government secured an agreement with a private transport firm -Chisco Limited – with security escort patrol vehicles to convey passengers between Kaduna and Abuja as well as between Abuja and Kaduna.
A source said most of the airlines recorded low passenger traffic out of Kaduna Airport into Lagos.

While some passengers plied the buses provided by the government from Kaduna to Abuja, others were transported by bus provided by government from Kaduna Airport to the train station in Rigasa, a suburb along the Kaduna / Abuja Expressway, where the train terminal is located.

Minister of State, Aviation Hadi Sirika was on hand in Kaduna to witness flight operations.
But work is yet to be completed at the Kaduna Airport as workers of the construction firm were making last minute efforts to see the project to fruition.
Investigations revealed that passenger profiling for international passengers were handled manually.
Personnel of aviation agencies were sufficiently mobilised to ensure safety and security at the airport.
Apart from a new toll gate plaza being completed at the entrance into the airport, the staff quarters for workers of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were being renovated.

From the Airport Road Junction on the expressway into the terminal, there was heavy security presence with members of the Nigerian Police Anti – Bomb Squad, Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) mobilised at strategic locations.

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), has given assurance of strict narcotic screening at the Kaduna Airport.

This, according to him, will help in preventing illicit movement of narcotic drugs by drug cartels.
Abdallah made the pledge following the interception of two suspected drug traffickers at Abuja Airport few hours to its closure on Wednesday.
They were caught with 2.150-kilogramme of heroin from Tanzania and 386 grammes of cocaine en-route Cambodia.
Preliminary investigation revealed that both suspects wanted to capitalise on the temporary relocation to Kaduna Airport in moving narcotics at the Abuja Airport, but the NDLEA promptly arrested them.

IN PICTURES: First international flight arrives Kaduna Airport

Foreign airlines reject Kaduna airport as Abuja airport is closed

Only one foreign airline has agreed to use the Kaduna International Airport, as the Nigerian government officially announced the closure of the Abuja International Airport on Monday.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, told journalists that so far only Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to use the Kaduna airport as an alternative.
The government said the Abuja airport will be closed beginning from 12 a.m. Wednesday.
The closure will last for six weeks to allow a comprehensive maintenance of the airport runway.
The decision to close the only airport in the federal capital has been criticised by aviation experts, and several international airlines warned they will not operate the Kaduna route.
Mr. Sirika said observations made by acting President Yemi Osinbajo who was in Kaduna Airport on Friday had been “taken care of”.

Airlines abort landing at Lagos airport over Harmattan haze

Pilots of indigenous airlines on Tuesday avoided landing at the Lagos airport due to poor visibility caused by the harmattan haze.

An online news portal, reported that as a result of the harmattan haze, which became more pronounced in Lagos on Monday, visibility was reduced to 10 metres on Tuesday, far below the acceptable minimum level of 100 metres.

As a consequence, Dana Airlines’ flight from Abuja to Lagos, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Federal Capital Territory at 11am, was aborted about 15 minutes from landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, Ikeja, Lagos and was ordered to return to Abuja.


A Med-View Airline flight from Abuja to Lagos was said to have suffered a similar fate.

It was, however, gathered that the following carriers safely landed their planes at the Lagos airport due to their superior landing equipment.

It was learnt that the situation also affected flights to most other airports across the country, as all flights to the South-South and South-East from Abuja were either cancelled or postponed indefinitely.

Also, it was learned that a scheduled flight to Yola, in which passengers had earlier boarded the plane, eventually failed to depart Abuja two hours after its scheduled departure time, as the passengers were eventually disembarked.

A passenger on the aborted Dana flight from Abuja to Lagos said that the pilot had earlier announced that they were about 17 minutes away from landing in Lagos, but shortly afterwards announced that they were returning to Abuja because the plane could not land at the Lagos airport due to poor visibility.

Another affected passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “What an experience for air travellers today? Bad weather in Lagos has left thousands of passengers, including yours sincerely, stranded at Abuja airport.

“Our 9am flight had to be aborted 17 minutes to landing in Lagos due to bad weather. We returned to Abuja and the waiting game continued. All flights to the South-South and South-East were cancelled. No flight from Lagos and none to Lagos as of 3:15pm. We are all still waiting.”

The passenger told our correspondent that the flight eventually left Abuja by 6.10pm and that he was just getting to his home in Lagos by 9.45pm.

Sources at the Abuja airport said that the development did not affect international flights, as scheduled flights on Ethiopian and Lufthansa airlines departed without any incident.

Some of the affected passengers painted a picture of total chaos at the departure lounge of the Abuja airport, where hundreds of passengers waited for several hours.

Calls to the spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria did not connect, but the spokesperson of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Sam Adurogboye, said he was aware of the development but could not provide details.

He said the agency had earlier issued a statement warning the airlines of poor visibility associated with the harmattan haze, adding that pilots were not expected to endanger the lives of passengers due to poor weather.

Aviation Minister Insists on Airports Concession for 4 major Airports in Nigeria.

Captain Hadi Sirika

The Minister of State for Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika, on Tuesday said that there was no going back on the Federal Government’s plan to concession the four major airports in the country.
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N300Bn Aviation Funds Allegedly Siphoned.

• One beneficiary collected N32bn and left the country –Amaechi

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has said in Abuja yesterday, that over N300 billion earmarked for the aviation sector by the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan was allegedly siphoned.read more

Senate To Investigate Aviation Sector Over $40m Loan.

The Senate has mandated its committees on aviation and anti-corruption to commence investigation into the alleged disbursement of a $40 million loan for rehabilitation and development of infrastructure in the aviation industry.
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Overland Airways Is Only For Mkd-Abj Route.@N18,000,HELL NO !!! It Won't Work Pls.

So i was busy jubilating that Airlines will start flying to Makurdi only to discover that its only for Makurdi-Abuja route.
I was informed reliably that the Benue State government  announced flights from the state capital, Makurdi would kick off from August 1. 
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Stella Oduah Granted Proviosnal Bail By EFCC After Being Quizzed For Hours

Former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, was quizzed for over five hours by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday.
Oduah is at the middle of a N255 million bulletproof car scandal, a matter that has been on since she was minister.read more

Time Out With The Youngest Pilot In Africa ''Williams Terkuma Anaka'' From Benue State.[more pictures in side].

Williams Licenses PPL and CPL.

Hanging out with his instructors in South Africa.

Williams in one of the planes.

18 year Williams Anaka who hails from Ukum Local Government in Benue State has set another record by emerging as the youngest Pilot from Nigeria and Africa,Williams is the last child of Engr Bill Anaka,a former Commissioner of Works and Gubernatorial Aspirant in the State, For him,his pursuit as a Pilot started right from childhood and the  many challenges in life made him to make his PILOT career a success. Having  spent  1year 4months under training in South Africa ,this young man can now cruz the skies.Williams now has both Private and Commercial pilot License (PPL and CPL) The last recorded person who emerged as the youngest pilot in Nigeria was a 20 year old from Nigeria.We had a chat with him on phone after the thanksgiving organised for him by his family in Benue  and he had this to say.
find his interview here 

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Jonathan Sacks Heads Of Aviation Agencies.

In what appears like a move to cleanse the aviation sector, President Goodluck Jonathan , Tuesday sacked the heads of four aviation parastatals in the country.read more

Photo News.Supervising Aviation Minister Dr Samuel Ortom At Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport For Inspection.

L-R: Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi; Minister of State, FMTI and Supervising Minister of Aviation Dr. Samuel Ortom; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs. Jamila Shu’ara, during the inspection of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri…Sunday .Another picture after cut.
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Hon Minister Of State Trade And Industry Hon Samuel Ortom Set To Resume As Supervising Minister At AVIATION Ministry.

After a major shake up in the Federal Exco that saw the exit of Aviation Minister Stella Oduah and 3 others,President Jonathan swiftly delegated some ministers to over see the ministries whose ministers where sacked,He drafted Hon Samuel Ortom to supervise the Ministry of Aviation ,this is with immediate effect,Hon Samuel Ortom is set to move ,here is what he told his staff before he moved to his new assignment.read his speech after cut.

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Presidential Committee Indicts Aviation Minister.

 
A report by Punch,indicates that  the committee set up by President Jonathan to probe the N255m bulletproof car scandal in the aviation ministry has indicted Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah.

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Former Borno State Governor Ali Sheriff Purchases $72m Top-Of-The-Range Private Jet

FORMER Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff has just purchased a top-of-the-range Gulfstream G650 private jet at a whopping cost of N11.5bn ($72m) bringing the total number of aircrafts in his private fleet to four.

Alhaji Sheriff, 57, severed as governor between 2003 and 2011 and has been widely blamed for allowing Boko Haram to take root in Nigeria as it was during his tenure that the terrorist sect grew in Borno State. Since leaving office, however, Governor Sheriff has taken refuge in Dubai amid fears that he may be targeted for elimination by Boko Haram.
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Another Teenage Stow Away Apprehended At The MMA Cargo Section.

Another teenager yesterday attempted to stow away and was apprehended at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. He attempted to stow away on an Allied Air Cargo aircraft that was preparing for take-off.
This came almost one month after the Nigeria Police, Airport Command, paraded three teenagers for attempted stow away at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.
read more

Another Plane Crash Averted In Abuja.

Another air disaster was averted at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja on Monday as a Med-View Airlines aircraft from Lagos suddenly took to the air again at the point of landing in Abuja.
The pilot told the passengers that he took to the air again to avoid a collision with another aircraft on the tarmac.
The airline Flight VL2104 took off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at noon and was scheduled to land in Abuja at about 1.05pm.
The pilot had already announced final descent into Abuja and asked all passengers and cabin crew to fasten their seat belts but the pilot suddenly took off to the air again with barely 30 seconds to touch ground.
The plane had 150 passengers on board. A correspondent of The PUNCH was one of the passengers.
After about three minutes of gaining altitude, the pilot announced that he decided to take off again to avoid colliding with an aircraft that was on ground.
He said that after he had been granted clearance to land, it was later discovered that the other aircraft was not fast enough, hence his decision to take off.
The aircraft hovered for another 20 minutes in the air before finally landing at about 1.30pm.While the drama lasted, the passengers were panic-stricken, especially when the plane entered into turbulent weather on air.

read more http://www.punchng.com

http://www.fabmimi.com/2013/10/another-plane-crash-averted-in-abuja.html

Associated Airline Crash:4 Women Show Up Claiming To Be Late MIC Boss' Wives.

Wetin we no go hear or see for this Lagos,As the family of late Mr. Tunji Okusanya Snr, Managing Director, MIC Funeral Services, are trying to get over the tragedy that befell them through the ill-fated Associated Airlines plane crash that killed him and four of his workers, some unknown women have emerged claiming to have children for the deceased Okusanya Snr.

Members of the family that sought anonymity disclosed that the women and children were never introduced to the family before his untimely death some weeks ago.

The family member said four other women, apart from his legitimate wives, have showed up as his wives

He noted that he is surprised because the deceased did not tell or show the wives and children to his friends as well as his family members as it has turned out to be now.

But such an incidence cannot be ruled out considering the fact that he is a wealthy man and many would want to identify with him.

He urged senior members of the Okusanya to conduct DNA tests on the children to confirm the paternity of the children.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com

Another Act Of Cluelessness:President Goodluck Jonathan Backs Aviation Minister For Purchasing 2 Bullet Proof Cars For N225Million.

President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown his weight behind Aviation Minister's Purchase of Two Bullet-proof BMW Vehicles for $1.6 Million (N255m)Special Assistant to the President on Constitution and Legal matters, Barrister Ahmad Ali Gulag, today condemned what he described as the "Online public lynching" of Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, over the purchase of two executive armoured cars worth over N225million. 

Gulag stated: "Mr President is satisfied with the good work of the Aviation Minister and the transformation of the aviation sector." Gulag added, "the cars are not personal property of the Minister, but that of the office of Aviation Minister. No cost is too high to protect public officers who are carrying out desired changes."