Headline

Keyamo Unveils Plans For Aircraft Manufacturing In Nigeria

Published

7 months ago

January 21, 2025

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility spearheaded by XEJet.

Keyamo also announced plans to launch an aircraft manufacturing company soon.

He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of XEJet’s flight support and engineering hub launch in Abuja on Monday.

“Very soon, we are going to return here for the groundbreaking ceremony of an aircraft manufacturing company.”

The announcement aligns with the Federal Government’s aviation development agenda, as emphasized by Keyamo.

He said, “This aligns with our administration’s vision to support local operators. We have been seeking to attract MROs to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem, and XEJet’s initiative is a significant step forward.”

Keyamo highlighted the government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for projects like this, including partnerships with indigenous banks and the involvement of top-tier construction companies.

“We will be here with you(XEJet) throughout, from beginning to end. Our technical teams and regulatory bodies will ensure that what we have here is world-class,” he assured.

The minister expressed confidence that the facility would attract users from across the West African sub-region, leveraging Nigeria’s large population, economy, and aviation traffic. “This is just the beginning. Nigeria is big enough to support and sustain such ambitious projects. We are proud to be associated with this,” he concluded.

Also speaking at the event is the Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza, who described it as much more than a maintenance and repair operation that will position Nigeria on the global map of aviation innovation.

“The vision is to put Nigeria on the map of aircraft manufacturers. Even if we cannot produce an entire aircraft, we aim to contribute components like wings, landing gears, or tyres,” Iza said. He emphasized that Nigeria has the talent and ability to achieve such goals, provided the enabling environment and facilities are in place.

Iza revealed that XEJet employs nearly 300 people, and the new facility could increase this number by three to four times. He outlined the project’s phased approach, starting with a $5m investment for ground preparation, taxiways, and aprons, followed by an equally significant investment in structural development.

The facility will include a private terminal for business aviation with world-class amenities, including a conference centre, pilot accommodations, and safety-compliant crew quarters. It will also feature a separate access route from Bill Clinton Way, allowing exclusive entry for business aviation passengers.

“This isn’t just an MRO. It’s an engineering centre designed to make Nigeria a player in the list of Original Equipment Manufacturers.

“If we can’t produce an Airbus A380, we should at least produce components that contribute to it,” Iza added.

Headline

Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

20 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

20 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

Headline

US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

20 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”