Crash investigators get help from US
US investigators have arrived in Nigeria to help with the inquiry into the Dana Air crash in Lagos in which the 153 people onboard and 6 people on ground were killed. Muktar Usman, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau, said: "We have done the on-site accident investigation and gathering of evidence from the crash site. The next stage is the analysis of evidence, and then we will make safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences."
Boko Haram strike again
The banned Islamic sect Boko Haram killed at least 7 and wounded up to 50 in the city of Jos last Sunday as suicide bombers attacked two churches during services. In a separate incident, gunmen opened fire during a service in Biu in northeastern Borno State, leaving at least one person dead. Reprisal attacks were reportedly carried out on members of the Muslim community in Jos, Plateau State.
Fuel subsidy probe chairman accused of accepting bribes
Farouk Lawan, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the probe of fuel subsidy mismanagement, has been accused of accepting $600,000 from a major oil marketer to influence the report. Lawan told press in Abuja last Sunday: "I categorically deny that I or any member of the committee demanded and received any bribe from anybody in connection with the fuel subsidy probe and I believe that this is evident from the thorough and in-depth manner the investigation was carried out." The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are yet to comment on the case.
Obodo freed from captors
Christian Obodo, a former midfielder for Nigeria's national football team, has been rescued from his kidnappers in the town of Emevor in Delta State. Obodo, who plays his club football for Udinese FC in Italy, was reportedly abducted in Warri, Delta State, on Saturday morning. His abductors asked for a ransom of about $188,000 to secure his release. It is not clear whether the ransom was paid before the Obodo was freed by his captors, and police reports have been conflicting.
Central Bank deploys 100,000 PoS terminals
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has deployed 100,000 Point of Sale (POS) Terminals and expects to have over 150,000 operational by the end of the year as part of the bank's cashless project. Chidi Umeano, head of the CBN's Shared Services, explained that the CBN has also approved new fraud prevention systems to tackle electronic fraud.
This Week: Politics
The full ramifications of the Dana Air tragedy are yet to sink in. And although for most Nigerian dailies, it is rapidly becoming yesterday's news, the most pertinent questions are still not being asked. The superficial 'blame game' we have become accustomed to is in full swing while genuine structural and individual accountability remain elusive.
This latest tragedy is not out of place - the whole history of the country's aviation makes for sorry reading. Reports allege that the company Dana Air overloaded a faulty plane and that short term profit was placed above other considerations. But what other auxiliary factors contributed to this accident? What part does aviation regulation have to play? Had the arrival of service equipment and medical services been prompt, it is possible some of the effects may have been mitigated. Once again, external help has been sought - representatives from the US have been brought in to aid the investigation and there is a danger that wider issues beyond mere procedures may not come to the fore. The immediate government response has been to offer $100,000 to each family of victims on board the plane. Those whose houses have been destroyed in the crash are temporarily being housed in emergency, camp-style accommodation in Agege. Hopefully the longer term response shows the same consideration.
There has always been an air of inevitability in terms of exposing the underhand dealings of the fuel subsidy. And ever since the names of the companies involved have been published, accusations of bribery and vested government interests have been growing louder.
Honourable Farouk Lawan, once hailed as a crusader of honesty and integrity in the House of Representatives and one of the most vocal critics of the subsidy scandal, now finds himself at its centre after reportedly receiving a bribe of more than $600,000. Is this part of another strategy to scapegoat a minority and protect the majority of wrongdoers? Once again another committee has had its impartiality questioned which also places questions on the fuel probe on the whole. How long will it take until the truth eventually wins out?
Writers of the week:
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'The Blood, Crashes, Cover Ups and Incompetence in Nigerian Aviation' by former presidential spokesman and Minister of Aviation Femi Fani Kayode starts with a poetic twist and goes on to detail the past and present problems that have befallen the aviation industry. The avoidable loss of life and decay in the air travel sector is explored at length and his insider's perspective makes the article a must-read.
'MKO Abiola: Tokenism or Immortalisation?' by Mohammed Dahiru Aminu attempts to understand the reasons behind President Goodluck Jonathan's renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University. Aminu takes a historical perspective and does not hide his discomfort at what he calls our "parochial frame of mind".
Website of the week:
Rise Networks harbours the ambition of becoming Nigeria's leading Youth and Education Development Centre. Its programmes include a study centre and a youth blog alongside a books and resource store for students. Founded in Lagos by Toyosi Akerele, Rise has been recognised by illustrious world leaders such as Michelle Obama, John Kufuor, Cherie Blair and Bill Clinton as well as institutions such as the International Republican Institute.
