Following the suspension placed on the operations of Dana Air by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the airline has suspended some of its staff.

This is as the airline said that it has commenced discussions with lessors, possibly on the probability of leasing additional aircraft to beef up its operations.

The airline in a statement by Kingsley Ezenwa, Head, Corporate Communications, Dana Air, said that some of the staff were disengaged pending the outcome of the ongoing financial and safety audits being conducted on the airline.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had after the last month’s serious incident involving the MD 82 aircraft of the airline at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, said it would commence audits of the airline.

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Earlier, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had ordered the NCAA to suspend the operations of the airline due to the serious incidents and other recent incidents involving the airline.

Ezenwa in the statement said it was necessary for the airline to provide an update on the ongoing operational audit initiated by the regulatory authorities.

He explained that the audit was currently underway, while the airline was cooperating with the authorities to ensure compliance with all necessary standards and regulations.

Ezenwa pointed out that the disengagement of some of the staff was to ensure efficient management of resources.

The statement said: “Dana Air reaffirms its commitment to full cooperation with the authorities to facilitate a smooth and expedited resolution of the audit process.

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“In light of the ongoing audit, Dana Air has made the decision to temporarily disengage some staff members pending the conclusion of the audit. This decision has been made to ensure efficient management of resources and to facilitate a thorough review of operational procedures.”

The airline also lauded its staff members for their resilience and dedication during this period of uncertainty, stressing that it recognised the difficulties they endured at this critical time.

He assured that every effort was being made to resolve the situation promptly, while also reiterating its commitment to providing them with updates and support them throughout this process.

“Dana Air therefore urges for calm and understanding from our very dedicated staff for their altruism and stakeholders. The management is working diligently to address any concerns and is preparing a restart plan that will ensure the safe and efficient resumption of operations.

“Dana Air is confident that with the continued support of its staff and stakeholders, it will overcome these challenges and emerge stronger than ever,” the statement added.

The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, has granted an interim injunction restraining the pro-Wike Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other lawmakers from parading themselves as legislators.

The interim injunction was filed by the pro-Fubara Speaker, Victor Jumbo and two other Assembly members loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Justice Charles Wali, who gave the order on Friday, in a case with suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024, also ordered that the 25 defendants from “meeting/sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant.”

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Justice Wali, following the Motion Ex-parte and after hearing from Sammie A. Somiari, SAN with B.N.Owunabo, Esq. and others for the Claimants/Applicants entered that Amaewhule should stop acting as lawmakers.

Wali, also ordered that the government of the state should stop dealing with the said lawmakers as their seats have remained vacant after they defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party that produced them.

The order read, “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

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“An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th Defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or howsoever interacting with the 1st to 25th Defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“It is further Ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes in this case be served on the 1st to 25th Defendants/Respondents within seven (7) days from the date by substituted means to wit: by pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper.”

The court, however, adjourned the case till May 29 for Motion on Notice.

Recall that 27 lawmakers of the State Assembly led by Amaewhule had defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress in the heat of the political crisis that rocked the state, occasioned by the feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Chief Nyesom Wike.
PUNCH

The Nigerian Army on Friday pulled out 29 Generals of the Infantry Corps who retired from active military service.

Out of the 29 retired infantry officers pulled out of active service at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, 19 were Major Generals and 10 were Brigadiers General.

Leading the pack was Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, who spoke on behalf of the retirees.

Ezugwu encouraged their successors to not only sustain the modest strategic, operational and tactical achievements made but also to surpass them.

”The frontline is expanding and the Nigerian Army is becoming increasingly committed with the eyes of the nation and the world on it.

”Our Infantry Corps must therefore not relent or rest on her oars as the entire Nigerian Army depends largely on the Infantry Corps to achieve its core mandate and mission.

”I admonish the Infantry that as the threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty are becoming asymmetric in time and space, you must be proactively way ahead of our adversaries in all aspects of the unfolding combat scenarios,” he added.

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Ezugwu also called on the Infantry Corps to review some of its tactical and operational strategies in the areas of night fighting capabilities, and frontline intelligence gathering on enemy activities.

He further advised the corps to strengthen basic field crafts training in the areas of aggressive fighting patrols to dominate at least a 5 km radius of their locations, Ambushes, listening and observation posts as well as all levels of battle drills.

Ezugwu advocated for employment of modern technology and ICT enablers, and deliberate efforts to develop the leadership skills of junior commanders.

“Be rest assured that my colleagues and I will be glad and willing to avail the Infantry Corps of our time, energy and resources until our last breath on earth,” he added.

He announced the donation of 200 books and encyclopedias to the Infantry Corps Centre and Nigerian Army School of Infantry libraries to promote training, reading culture, mentorship and capacity development of officers and soldiers.

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“We are also availing the infantry corps the sum of N1 million to purchase more Corps-related books.

“This is our modest way to encourage the edification of younger infantry officers and soldiers to inspire and motivate them to reach their full potential as they grow in service,” Ezugwu said.

He described a military career as the most priceless, honourable and sacrificial call to duty globally, and thanked God for allowing them to end their careers alive after serving the nation for between 30 -38 years.

The general described the day as full of emotional feelings, nostalgic memories, wholesome gratitude, unending joy and unwavering fulfilment.

“For every service personnel, retirement from active service remains a natural and inevitable end which begins to count from the day we passed out from NDA as officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

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”Our joy and that of our families, colleagues and friends gathered here today knows no bounds as we take a final bow from the Infantry Corps.

“On behalf of my retired colleague Generals, I most respectfully and dutifully appreciate the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja for organising this benefitting and memorable pulling out parade in our honour,” he added.

He also appreciated the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for mobilising the entire Infantry family including veterans and other luminaries in the Infantry Corps to honour them.

”As I stand on this podium and look around this Parade Ground, I am moved with hysterical feeling of excitement considering the mammoth turnout of the infantry family.

”Host and neighbouring communities of Jaji, Labar, Wusono, Railway, Birnin Yero, Angwan Loya, and other parts of Zazzau Emirate, led by our revered Emir, to celebrate our retirement.”

NAN